Atlanta Prepares Super Bowl LIII Security Plans

Atlanta Prepares Super Bowl LIII Security Plans

According to Amy Patterson, vice president of operations and logistics for the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, those involved in Super Bowl preparations will work on contingency plans for everything from suspicious packages, protests and even mass casualty incidents.

Atlanta, Georgia, police and representatives from partner agencies met Wednesday at the Executive Public Safety Tabletop Exercise to work on their security plan for hosting Super Bowl LIII on Feb. 4.

Law enforcement partners including the FBI, GBI, Homeland Security, Georgia State Patrol, MARTA police, NFL security, Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency, and World Congress Center police were in attendance at Wednesday’s event to discuss what-if security scenarios for the Super Bowl as well as the 10 days of events leading up to the big game.

According to Amy Patterson, vice president of operations and logistics for the Atlanta Super Bowl Host Committee, those involved in Super Bowl preparations will work on contingency plans for everything from suspicious packages to protests and even mass casualty incidents.

“Today’s an opportunity for us to exercise those plans through about eight scenarios that we’ll talk about, things that could happen during 10-day operational period of the Super Bowl,” Patterson said.

Those in attendance said Atlanta is ready to host, with less than two months to go until Super Bowl attendees begin arriving in town.

“I’ve seen different events throughout the country in different positions I’ve held, and I’ve never seen an area where law enforcement, and also the private community, work better together than here in Atlanta,” said Chris Hacker, FBI Atlanta special agent in charge.

Wednesday’s event was closed to the public and to the media following an opening speech by Atlanta’s Police Chief Erika Shields, but Shields said the law enforcement partners are working hard and it will be worth it for the city.

“Take pride in what Atlanta’s doing,” she said. “We’re hosting the Super Bowl, which is a fantastic event. Enjoy it and know that your city has an A-game, and they’re ready to execute.”

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Securing the Future

    Two security experts sit down with Security Today’s editor in chief Ralph C. Jensen to discuss what they see emerging and changing over the next several years along with how security stakeholders can harness these innovations into opportunities. Read Now

  • Collaboration Made Easy Using a Work Management Platform

    Effective collaboration between security operators, teams and other departments is critical to the smooth functioning of organizations. Yet, as organizations grow in complexity, it becomes more difficult for teams to coordinate with each other. This is compounded by staffing shortages, turnover and ineffective collaboration tools. Read Now

  • Creating a Safer World

    Managing and supporting locks and door hardware within a facility is a big responsibility. A building’s security needs to change over time as occupancy and use demands evolve, which can make it even more challenging. Read Now

  • Report: 78 Percent of CISOs Seeing Significant Impact from AI-Powered Cyber Threats

    Darktrace recently unveiled its 2025 State of AI Cybersecurity report. The findings reveal that 78% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) surveyed say that AI-powered threats are having a significant impact on their organizations, a 5% increase1 from 2024. While an increasing number of CISOs report feeling a significant impact from AI threats, more than 60% now say that they are adequately prepared to defend against these threats, an increase of nearly 15% year-over-year. However, insufficient AI knowledge and skills and a shortage of personnel and talent continue to be listed as the two top inhibitors to a successful defense. Read Now

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.