Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for the NFL championship game.
Quick Read
- Federal, state, and local security officials are ramping up preparations for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, focusing on threats like counterfeit goods, human trafficking, and illegal drone activity.
- Agencies including Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and the TSA, along with a bomb-sniffing beagle named Ozzie, outlined their security measures at Harry Reid International Airport.
- A display of seized counterfeit sports memorabilia was showcased to highlight the issue of fake goods being sold around the Super Bowl event.
- Nearly $1 million worth of counterfeit merchandise was recently seized in Nevada, underscoring the ongoing efforts to combat illegal imports.
- The area around Allegiant Stadium will be a “no drone zone” for the Super Bowl, with measures in place to counter unauthorized drone flights.
- Security operations will also include helicopter patrols to enforce no-fly zones and protect airspace during the event.
- Efforts to combat human trafficking are being emphasized, with airport and security personnel trained to identify and act on suspicious activities.
- The TSA plans to accommodate record post-game crowds at Harry Reid airport by operating all security checkpoints continuously for 48 hours after the Super Bowl concludes.
The Associated Press has the story:
Officials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting and ground drones
Newslooks- LAS VEGAS (AP) —
Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for the NFL championship game.
Representatives from agencies including Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration — accompanied by a bomb-sniffing beagle named Ozzie — briefed the media at Harry Reid International Airport about their plans to counter such illegal activity.
The officials displayed a table piled high with knockoff sports memorabilia including jerseys, T-shirts, caps, beanies and a sparkling silver replica of the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy.
“The merchandise you see on display today is nothing compared to the millions of fake goods that criminals will try to sell online, on the street and through other unauthorized sources,” said Cheryl Davies, lead Super Bowl field coordinator for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Our message is clear: Don’t buy this stuff.”
“We have collectively surged resources in the months leading up to the Super Bowl to identify and target individuals illegally importing counterfeit goods into the United States,” said Christopher Miller, Homeland Security Investigations agent in charge in Las Vegas.
Investigators seized nearly $1 million worth of counterfeit merchandise from four locations just during the last weekend, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said after the briefing. He declined to provide details, saying investigations were continuing.
The air around Allegiant Stadium next Sunday has been designated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a “no drone zone.” Takeover signals and jammers will be used if necessary, said Karen Burke, TSA Nevada security director.
Commercial air operations at nearby Harry Reid Airport are not expected to be affected. But Davies said customs agency Blackhawk and A-star helicopters will be aloft to protect airspace and enforce no-fly zones.
Ralph Lepore, an airport administrator with the Clark County Department of Aviation, focused on efforts to stem human trafficking, which he said was neither new nor exclusive to big events.
“We’re reminding all our employees, partners and guests to be alert and act if they see something suspicious,” he said. “It’s extremely important.”
Burke noted that TSA officers were trained to spot human trafficking and that extra agents will be added to handle record post-game crowds expected to top more than 100,000 passengers a day early next week at Harry Reid airport. She promised that every lane of every airport security checkpoint will be open nonstop for 48 hours after the Super Bowl ends.
