Texas Tech and Brigham Young University fans attending Saturday’s game at Jones AT&T Stadium can expect a heavier law enforcement presence.
Lubbock Police Chief Seth Herman said he and his local law enforcement partners including the Texas Tech Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety are preparing for a larger than normal crowd for the game, which will also be the venue for ESPN College GameDay as the No. 8 Red Raiders take on the No. 7 Cougars. The game kicks off at 11 a.m.
Herman said gameday attendance has been predicted to range between 60,000 to 70,000 people.
“I’m sure that can fluctuate depending, but we’re going to plan for the higher number for sure,” he said. “Please understand that Texas Tech (University) and Lubbock will be on the national stage, we understand that ESPN and other national partners will be on site and so, I think it’s pertinent that we take that into consideration and we represent Lubbock appropriately.”
He is asking the public for patience as the rise in foot traffic and vehicles will impede traffic flow on University Avenue and the Marsha Sharp Freeway.
“We ask that they pay attention to the traffic laws as well as the officers who are attempting to negotiate everyone in and out of the stadium, both during the game and then after the game,” he said.
Police will begin setting up about 7 a.m. and will begin traffic flow control as soon as it picks up.
Herman said people can also expect more patrol officers outside the stadium, which includes the Lubbock Police Department’s mounted patrol unit.
Fans who plan on drinking should plan a sober ride home, he said.
“Either a friend who’s sober, a family member who’s sober or one of the many transport capabilities that are available in Lubbock,” he said. “If individuals intend on drinking and being pedestrians, obviously, we ask that you do so in a mature and controlled manner.”
Anyone who might be unable to control themselves should stay home, he said.
“We do not want our officers having to deal with those issues that may arise and you obviously don’t want to go to jail on such a beautiful game day,” he said.
Citibus service at Texas Tech game
Meanwhile, Citibus’ Gameday Express service will begin at 7 a.m., four hours before kickoff, providing round-trip transportation to Jones AT&T Stadium and Raider Alley. Payment for service will only be accepted through the GoPass app.
The last time police prepared for heavy crowd enforcement related to Tech athletics to this extent was in 2019, when the Red Raider men’s basketball team beat Michigan State 61-51 in Minneapolis during the 2019 Final Four.
Fans celebrating the Red Raiders first-ever visit to or win in the Final Four gathered near the administration building on campus.
However, the celebration took a troubling turn outside campus with reports of people flipping at least one vehicle near the Broadway district bars by campus and various fires – including a burning couch and pile of scooters.
Lubbock police shut down University Avenue near the campus and issued a warning through social media urging people to leave the area.
Herman said police officials were on high alert for the championship game, which ended in a 85-77 loss against the University of Virginia.
“We don’t anticipate something that large this go-around,” he said. “But please understand we’ll make appropriate allocations to ensure that nothing of a riotous nature transpires.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock police, law enforcement plan increased presence during Texas Tech-BYU game
Reporting by Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
