City officials want sports fans to stay in line on Super Bowl Sunday.
By halftime, parts of Boston will be shut off to football revelers not already in the Kenmore Square and North Station areas.
At a press conference Thursday, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis said besides a beefed-up police presence, officers will also be strapped with cameras and there will be a helicopter harnessing surveillance equipment monitoring the city from the sky.
“If [people] think they are getting away with breaking or destroying something, they will have a surprise for them in the future,” Davis said. “Just because police aren’t around, doesn’t mean you won’t be watched.”
Davis joined Mayor Thomas Menino and Boston University officials to outline the rules following Sunday’s matchup between the New England Patriots and New York Giants.
“Public drinking will not be tolerated, as well as dangerous behaviors or destructive behaviors,” said Menino.
Officials also cautioned that local saloons would be cracking down on three things: overconsumption, overcapacity and those under the legal drinking age.
“[We] have asked establishments, that if we are in a victory situation, that they post signs in their premises so people won’t be allowed to re-enter if they leave to celebrate on the streets,” said Patricia Malone, director of Consumer Affairs and Licensing.
Menino said the primary focus is for all sports fans to enjoy the game and keep the city peaceful without incident.
Don’t believe the hype
A letter circulating around Northeastern University’s dorms this week had students shaking in their Super Bowl boots.
The Residential Life program distributed the notice, which told students if they were caught outside of their dorms during or after the big game, they could be subject to getting booked by police.
“If you do choose to go outside during or after the Super Bowl, know that you will likely be questioned and directed to go somewhere indoors as quickly as possible. If you refuse, you are subject to immediate arrest,” the notice read.
But Boston’s top cop said the information sounded “misleading.”
“It’s not possible to arrest someone for simply being outside,” said Davis, who acknowledged he hadn’t seen the note to students.
Follow Steve Annear on Twitter @steveannear
