Police set for Sunday

Many students still have vivid memories of the chaos that followed the Pittsburgh Steelers Super… Many students still have vivid memories of the chaos that followed the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl victory in 2009. So do the police.

City police are taking a more proactive approach this year by shutting down some areas in Oakland and the South Side about an hour before the game is scheduled to end in anticipation of increased pedestrian and celebratory traffic.

More than 400 extra police officers from the city, county, state and University department will also be on hand to maintain order, according to city police security plans.

Pitt spokesman John Fedele said in an e-mail that the University would not discuss police and public safety tactics prior to Sunday. Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard also declined to comment on police preparation for the post-Super Bowl celebration.

“We’re not anticipating any sort of riot,” she said.

City police plan to maintain order amid the post-Super Bowl celebrations by closing the streets and enforcing parking restrictions. Police outlined their plans in a four-page press release earlier this week.

In Oakland, officers will cordon off Forbes Avenue from McKee Place to Bigelow Boulevard at 9 p.m., when barricades will be into place. No parking will be permitted on side streets between Sennott Street and Fifth Avenue beginning at 4 p.m.

In the South Side, East Carson Street will close between 10th and 22nd streets at 9 p.m. No parking will be permitted on East Carson and side streets.

Tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets after the Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. Then, police did not implement a traffic plan in anticipation of the crowd.

During the course of the night, Police arrested about 100 celebrating people, some who were responsible in part for the $150,000 in damages reported by local businesses and homeowners.

Following the 2009 Super Bowl riots, arrests were also made after investigations involving online videos and photographs, a strategy likely to be repeated this year if damages occur during post-game celebrations.

Fedele said that 25 students were sanctioned following the Super Bowl, and a few were even suspended. Whereas the University is not expecting students to cause damage to University property, Fedele stressed that students will be held accountable for any damages they are proven to have caused.

According to the police’s press release, “Anyone caught lighting or adding items to any fires that may be ignited following the Super Bowl game WILL incur Felony charges which could include Arson, Risking a Catastrophe, Reckless Endangering Another Person and Criminal Mischief.”

Their warning comes after rowdy fans celebrated the 2009 Steelers victory by flipping cars, torching couches, smashing windows, bringing down a bus shelter and breaking parking meters.

“We are certainly concerned about inappropriate post-game celebrations, not only because of the negative image it projects, but also because of safety issues and the impact being arrested could have on a student’s future,” Fedele said. “If students violate our Code of Conduct, it remains on their record for seven years, and this could hinder employment opportunities or travel abroad.”

Vice Chancellor Robert Hill also issued a press release explaining that Bigelow Boulevard between the Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union will be closed down starting at 6:30 p.m.on Sunday.

That area will be open for one hour after the game for any celebrations, and fans will not be permitted to flow out onto Forbes or Fifth avenues. Fedele said city and University police would be on-hand there to ensure a safe celebration.

“We encourage the students of this great University to ‘celebrate responsibly’ and have a good time during the Super Bowl without engaging in uncivil, violent and destructive behavior — clear violations of the Student Code and contrary to our long-standing institutional values,” Fedele said.