The Tuscaloosa Police Department says that safety measures that were increased for game day in 2023 worked well and will continue to be implemented this fall as the Crimson Tide get set to kick off the season on Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The strip in particular is more closely watched, with measures including:
- Increased patrols and a new police substation in the area
- Temporary speed bumps
- New parking and towing rules
- Stricter enforcement of loitering ordinances.
TPD says that students and residents have responded well to the extra police presence and that the measures were effective in deterring dangerous situations.
“Our goal is to maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone in the area, both visitors and local workers, while ensuring that people can still have a great time on game day,” Stephanie Taylor, a spokeswoman for the Tuscaloosa Police Department told The Tuscaloosa News.
“From what I’ve seen, people have responded positively and seem comfortable with officers working on the Strip…That’s the very reason officers are out there — to pick up on a potentially dangerous situation and intervene before it escalates.”
Taylor also went on to explain the process that the department goes through with local businesses before the season in order to have a plan in place for if things go awry.
“We regularly attend meetings with UA staff, UAPD and bar/business owners in the areas ahead of football season ― the chief and assistant chief went to one (recently). That’s where most of those measures came from ― the towing, queuing ordinance, etc. And they’ll continue to meet and make any other changes if needed through the year,” she said.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
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