Security is top of mind for Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl CEO

ATLANTA — In less than 24 hours, hundreds of thousands of people will pour into downtown Atlanta for one of the biggest college football games played in the Georgia Dome.

Channel 2's Investigative Reporter Aaron Diamant got insight from the game's CEO.

While a trip to the college football playoff national championship is on the line for both Alabama and Washington in Saturday’s Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the stakes are even higher for those ensuring the players and fans' safety in and around the Georgia Dome.

"At the end of the day, most people, if not the majority of people want to do the right thing,” said Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan.

Still, Stokan is not taking anything for granted to ensure fan safety.

In a one-on-one interview, Stokan said federal, state and local agencies spent months developing a sophisticated intelligence-based security plan for the bowl game, which is expected to draw a record crowd.

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"They know what they're doing and we trust them explicitly,” Stokan said.

While specifics stay scarce on purpose, we do know that with the game day crowd, the bowl parade and nearby fan-fest, the security perimeter will be pushed out, limiting access to anyone up to no good.

"If not, your head's in the sand, and in this business you can't afford to do that," Stokan said.

Earlier this week, Channel 2 Action News got inside access to the Atlanta Police Departments upgraded video integration center, where officers will monitor a network of high tech surveillance cameras.

"When you have police officers on the ground, you have eyes and ears, but when you have video cameras throughout the city, that increases it, so it's a forced multiplier,” said Atlanta Chief Timothy Quiller.

While fans Channel 2 Action News spoke to admitted game day security is always in the back of their minds, they understand the critical role of security.

"But then again, I trust the people - the men and women that are in this country,” said fan Ryan Gauci. "Basically, when you see something that's not right just let people know."

There will be a clear-bag policy at the Dome Saturday and every fan will be wanded on the way in.

Bowl officials ask that fans leave plenty of time to deal with the inevitable lines.

Cox Media Group