San Francisco bracing for Super Bowl crowds, traffic

Super Bowl 50 is slated for February 7 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

With an estimated one million people expected to descend on the area in the week leading up to the game and 75,000 expected to attend the game itself, the Super Bowl is sure to receive a lot of attention in terms of threat assessment and security risks, and the memo lists some very specific examples to be investigated before the game. In an emailed statement, the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee said San Francisco will benefit from hotel and sales tax revenue and rental income from the events on city property.

No matter how you commute around San Francisco, by walking, driving or taking public transit, expect delays and detours during the upcoming Super Bowl 50 festivities. It is also permitted to use the host committee’s logo, which features San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and a football and is distinct from the NFL’s official Super Bowl logo, in its communications.

Most of the incidents occurred in San Jose, Fremont and Walnut Creek, California.

An internal FBI memo obtained by an NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C. reportedly showed federal officials’ concern that recently compromised fiber optic cables in California may have been part of an attempt to disrupt the Super Bowl early next month.

It also says lone wolf attackers are “of particular concern” – as they more often remain undetected until the moment of attack. Drones are also a big potential issue as well as terrorist attacks.

However, homeland security analysts caution against overreacting to such assessments.

A scathing legislative budget report faults San Francisco for failing to get reimbursed the full $4.8 million in tax money it plans to spend hosting nine days of Super Bowl 50 events.

It’s no secret that security will be tight at the 50th anniversary of the most anticipated annual sports event in the U.S. “Recent attacks and attempted attacks internationally and in the homeland warrant increased security, as well as increased public vigilance and awareness”.