Police are increasing security Saturday to deal with issues like rowdy fans and underage drinking before, at and after UF’s football game against the University of South Carolina.
Gainesville Police will deploy about 100 uniformed officers to monitor tailgating activities, GPD spokesman Ben Tobias said. This includes GPD foot and mounted units, and a SWAT Team on standby, he said.
ESPN’s College GameDay show is planned to be outside the North End Zone of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. GPD officers will help provide security for the event, Tobias said.
This game is what police call a “premium game,” said University Police Special Events Coordinator Lt. William Gainey. Premium games attract a lot of national interest, which results in an increase in police officers.
“With that attention comes certainly a heightened sense of security,” Gainey said.
UPD undercover officers and bicycle teams will patrol tailgates for possible crimes, he added.
“I’m more concerned with the overall increased congestion that we’re going to have on campus,” Gainey said.
To prevent overcrowding, UPD will block off the area within Union Road, Newell Road and Southwest 13th Street.
When it’s packed with people parking and tailgating, the location can become dangerous, Gainey said.
Despite potentially rowdy crowds, police said they will have Saturday’s events under control.
“Preparation for UF gameday is a calculated response that has been practiced for years,” Tobias said.
Contact Chris Alcantara at calcantara@alligator.org.
