TAMPA -- The federal authorities charged with keeping the Super Bowl safe say that there is "no specific threat" to Sunday's game in Tampa. But "domestic violent extremism" is a particular area of concern, as well as overseas terrorism, and the possibility of the "lone wolf" operation.
David Pekoske, acting deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, says they are closely monitoring the threats along with other federal agencies and local law enforcement.
"Our people know they can't take their eye off the ball. A missed cue or a slowed response" can lead to disaster, Pekoske said.
Pekoske says some five hundred DHS personnel are in Tampa, to work on these issues as well as issues such as counterfeiting and human trafficking. Some 70 federal, state and local agencies are taking part.
If you've noticed unusual helicopter activity around the stadium, the feds say those choppers are taking "radiological" readings to get a sense of our background level of radiation, so that it would be easier to spot something out of the ordinary, such as a "dirty bomb."
Scott McAllister, a regional DHS official, told reporters that plans have been developed for more than a year, in response to a question about whether they've been affected by the Capitol riot last month.
The NFL says parking lots at Raymond James Stadium will open at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, and gates will open a half hour later. Masks are required and tailgating is banned.
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