How Kansas City is working to keep fans safe during the Chiefs’ Super Bowl match-up

As Chiefs fans gear up for Super Bowl Sunday, law enforcement officials are also preparing to monitor the city on game day.

The Kansas City Police Department will have officers monitoring entertainment districts and other areas where people gather to cheer on the Chiefs as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles, said Capt. Corey Carlisle, a spokesman for the police department, in an email.

In the Power and Light District, which hosts a large watch party, officials said they are working with police and internal security to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

“As we prepare for one of our largest watch parties of the year, the safety of our patrons is our first priority,” the neighborhood wrote in a statement.

The Kansas City Fire Department also said it had worked on a safety plan with local, state and federal officials ahead of the game.

During and after events like the Super Bowl, Carlisle said illegal gatherings like sideshows are expected. Police will be stationed in known high-profile areas to try to eliminate the events through high visibility and traffic enforcement.

If community members witness sideshows or other illegal activity, police urge them to report the incidents immediately so officers can respond to the area.

Carlisle encouraged drivers to be safe and responsible and never to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. Fans should plan ahead to have a designated driver or use a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber.

Members of the DUI squad and the Missouri Department of Transportation have partnered to create a sober driving campaign, awarding “challenge coins” as a reward to share and encourage safe driving. On game day, DUI officers will be out and looking for impaired drivers around the city.

If the Chiefs win, police also asked fans to celebrate safely, without illegal fireworks or gunfire.

“We want everyone to have a peaceful Super Bowl experience,” Carlisle said.