IRON BOWL PROTECTION: POLICE MAKE PRESENCE KNOWN

It may be Thanksgiving week, but for many Alabamians, Saturday is more important than Thursday.

Iron Bowl fans are already getting ready for the yearly matchup between the University of Alabama and Auburn University, but so is law enforcement.

More than 100,000 people pour into Bryant-Denny Stadium every year for the Iron Bowl, and thousands more watch nearby.

Officers from the Tuscaloosa, Northport and the University of Alabama Police Department, along with Alabama State Troopers and Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Deputies will be strategically placed around campus and downtown to ensure everyone’s safety, not to mention inside the stadium itself..

And even though kickoff is set for 2:30, police don’t go anywhere after the game is over.

Lt. Teena Richardson with the Tuscaloosa Police Department said their goal is to be visible, so anyone who needs help doesn’t have to look far.

“We have a number of officers in uniform to be easily identified,” she said. “As well as those who are in plain clothes. The biggest thing is to make sure that this game day experience in enjoyable for everybody.”

Richardson said she speaks for all officers when she asks the public to please report any problems they witness to authorities.