Law enforcement, EMS stepping up presence for UT v. Alabama game this weekend
AUSTIN, Texas — All eyes will be on Austin this weekend as two national sports shows make their way to the city for the UT vs. Alabama football game. Local public safety officials are already preparing for the large crowds of people expected to swarm the area.
Law enforcement and Austin-Travis County EMS will have people placed outside the stadium and inside as more than 100,000 people will pack the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for a sold-out game. Thousands more will be outside where officers will be keeping a lookout.
UT saw an electric opening weekend taking home a win. Law enforcement officials say they didn't see any major issues, but this weekend fans can expect to see more law enforcement and EMS officials.
“They’ll be over 100,000 people in the stadium, there’s going to be even more than that outside the stadium," Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said.
This is not the first big game law enforcement and EMS has had to cover over the years as UT football keeps its name in the national spotlight. ESPN's College GameDay and Fox's Big Noon Kick Off will both be in town for the game which will draw more fans in. Chacon feels confident his department will be able to provide the security needed.
“There’s going to be a command center that we will be overseeing the entire event. There’s going to be officers there out directing traffic and keeping everybody safe as they’re crossing streets to get to the stadium," Chacon said.
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APD will partner with the University of Texas Police Department and several other agencies.
“We’re going to have a significant presence out there starting in the early morning until all the events are over," said UTPD Executive Officer of Operations, Chris Bonnet.
With 200,000 people expected on the 40 acres, Bonnet said they'll be keeping their eyes and ears open. “We have training and experience and looking for things that are a little bit off," he said.
Austin Travis County EMS will have several ambulances in the area and medics on foot. The schedule is still being worked out to make sure the city and event are covered as EMS continues to deal with a staffing shortage. “This year we aren’t not utilizing that unscheduled mandatory overtime so what we’re doing is utilizing a different method of covering those vacancies," said Captain Darren Noak with Austin Travis County EMS.
After the game, law enforcement expects to see an uptick in traffic in the entertainment district. APD will have more staff on hand to handle the crowd. "We will hire additional officers to come in even if it's on overtime so that we have a greater officer presence downtown," Chacon said.
EMS officials urge fans to stay hydrated as it's going to be another hot summer day with temperatures in the 90s.
