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Rose Bowl security high with 90K fans expected at game

By Nicole Carr, WSB-TV
By Nicole Carr, WSB-TV

PASADENA, Calif. — While the Georgia Bulldogs enjoy and participate in the first official events of this year’s Rose Bowl, there are a lot of preparations going on about 40 miles away at the stadium in Pasadena, California.

More than 90,000 people are expected to pack the stadium on New Year's Day.

Tight security is in place for the Rose Bowl.

Mobile X-ray screening systems are set up to scan equipment that's brought inside or around the stadium.

Vehicle searches with bomb-sniffing dogs are scanning cars and trucks and hundreds of local, state and federal officers are on patrol.

A metro Atlanta woman there to see the game told Channel 2 Action News she feels safe.

"It's something that crosses your mind because of all of the things that have happened. So we feel very secure and very happy that we  have a lot of good security here," said Linda Massey.

Channel 2's Nicole Carr met up with a metro Atlanta native who has attended the last 14 Rose Bowl games.

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John Fincher, who was raised in Douglasville, said he knows Pasadena like the back of his hand.

“(The Rose Bowl game) is not a typical SEC game in Baton Rouge or Athens,” Fincher said. “They will expect a very interesting environment.”

Fincher has called Pasadena home for the last three decades and has caught the last 14 Rose Bowl games.

“It’s not the most fan-friendly stadium in the world, but it is a beautiful place,” Fincher said. “You only have 28 tunnels to serve 95,000 people. It is very slow to get in and slow to get out.”

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Knowing that, Fincher advises Georgia fans to show up several hours early, and although it has been 20 years since it rained, mother nature would be the cause of any parking issues.

“If it rains three days ahead of the game, it will be a fun city because they will close down the golf course more than likely because of the rain,” Fincher said.

And for the first time, the entire parade route won't be open on New Year’s Day.

[READ: Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game visitor's guide]

“And that's something that we don't normally do,” said Pasadena Police Department Special Events and Counterterrorism Lt. Art Chute.

It shuts down to traffic at 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

"With everything going on around the world, most recently in New York City on Oct. 31 and we had one in Australia, one was considered terrorism and the other one wasn't, but that's what we're looking at just to make it safer for everybody,” Chute said.

When Georgia fans are searched at the gate, it will be just like any game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium - there's a clear bag policy.

Approved bags:

  • 12" x 6" x 12" Clear Plastic Bag
  • 1 Gallon Plastic Freezer Bag
  • Clutch with Shoulder Strap (clutch may not be larger than 4.5" X 6.5")
  • Clutch with Wrist Strap (clutch may not be larger than 4.5" X 6.5")
  • Diaper Bag, as long as accompanied by a child

Non-approved bags:

  • Backpacks
  • Camera Case
  • Mesh Bag
  • Purse
  • Clear Backpack
  • Tinted Plastic Bag
  • Oversized Tote Bag
  • Printed Pattern Plastic Bag
  • Fanny Pack
  • Binoculars Case

There are no in-and-out privileges at the Rose Bowl Stadium. Once you exit the stadium, you may not re-enter. For a complete list of policies, click here.

Cox Media Group

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