Security measures tighter for Michigan football game on Saturday
Security will be tighter at Michigan Stadium on Saturday for the Indiana at Michigan football game.
The Michigan Department of Public Safety said in a release Wednesday that no bags of any size will be permitted for the noon game unless there is written permission from a medical professional. Also prohibited: purses, lunch sacks, binocular cases, fanny packs and diaper bags.
The heightened security comes in wake of warnings this week that terrorists may be targeting entertainment venues, including stadiums.
The counterterrorism bulletin obtained by The Associated Press on stadiums notes that an al-Qaida training manual specifically lists "blasting and destroying the places of amusement, immorality, and sin... and attacking vital economic centers" as desired targets of the global terror network.
After this weekend, Michigan’s next home game is Oct. 17 against Delaware State, and the bag ban may or may not be in place, University police spokeswoman Diane Brown said.
“It’s too early to tell,” she said. “We will re-evaluate before (that game).”
University officials are encouraging fans to get to their seats early, and the university release said increased security likely would cause longer lines. Stadium gates will open at 10 a.m.
To keep lines moving, officials are asking fans to only bring identification, tickets or credentials to the game. Binoculars are allowed if worn around the neck and out of the case. Non-pocket cushions, cell phones and clear, sealed water bottles are permitted, the release said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.Â
Comments
swcornell
Sun, Sep 27, 2009 : 5:33 p.m.
Well I guess now we know. I read the ban went rather smoothly last Saturday. Only a few dozen people showed up not already informed and most were more than willing to comply.
jcj
Fri, Sep 25, 2009 : 7:11 a.m.
What a farce! It is discouraging to be reminded how incompetent University officials are. Safer your crazy! If only everyone could put there bags in their car. They will be dropping bags all over the place that don't have valuables. What kind of mess do you think this will cause? Are the police going to cordon off every lunch bag and call the bomb squad? Does anyone know how many other stadiums have implemented the policy? I have not heard of any. The university has done a POOR Job of notifying the public. Glad to see our brain dead over reacting high paid public servants are using their heads.A bomb in the stadium would not have much more effect than one just outside the stadium fence!
swcornell
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 1:28 p.m.
Well I guess it's time to get out those multi-pocketed painter pants? How this relates to 9/11 is beyond me, unless you can smuggle a 747 jet in a diaper bag. There would be very little chance of smuggling anything in that could effect all 110,00 people. This is just a way of controlling goods that could/should be bought in the stadium. I used to go to one game a year just for the camaraderie, but I actually enjoy watching it at home more, and better yet in front of a big screen at BWW's or some other local watering hole.
FW Flyer
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 8:33 a.m.
Most importantly, will this make it more difficult to smuggle booze into the game?
Goblue
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 8:22 a.m.
hahahahahaha you are sooooo funny! "little boy green" go back home now we see your 100 posts here. You do realize it just shows that you are "green" with envy? GO BLUE!
Freemind42
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 : 8:06 a.m.
They keep the diaper bags out because of worries about stink bombs
Goblue
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 8:47 p.m.
JakeC: I have a 4 year old 2 yr old and a 10 month old. What the hell do you need to bring a baby to a football game for? I've taken my daughter to games she doesnt wear a diaper. Why would a child young enough to wear a diaper be at a cramped 110,000 deep football game? Can't get a sitter? Stay home. I love my children and I love kid's and I love to take them everywhere with me but people talking about diaper bag's don't make any sense to me. Ri. Dic. U. Lous
bunnyabbot
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 8:39 p.m.
I doubt they will be permanent. However I do not see why people take items with them that are not essential anyway. You are packed in like sardines, extra stuff just means something else you can lose at the game. People should take this as a test that they can live without their backpack or purse for four hours and then take it upon themselves to not bring it to other games that don't have a restriction on them. if you don't like the policy than don't go. no ones forcing you to go to the game or any games. you are a guest at the venue and the owners of any venue are responsible for the safety of everyone there, it is their call and it is better to be safe (especially when it really is reasonable) than sorry.
Jake C
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 8:30 p.m.
Oh look, a person named "patriotact" defending unnecessary security measures. What a shock. A2nerd: If you ever have a child, then you will know the need to bring more than a cell phone and a slim wallet into a football game. Most kids can't handle being ignored for 3+ hours without water, snacks, etc. Again, I don't care about "extra security". I don't care about waiting an extra 10-30 minutes at the gate if the government thinks its important. But telling people that they'll be turned away for bringing purses or diaper bags or fanny packs? That's ridiculous. Is some vague "terrorist threat" from halfway across the globe that has been hanging over our heads for the last 8 years for stupid political reasons a valid excuse for changing our whole way of life? I hope not...
Jake C
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 8:23 p.m.
No diaper bags? "Sorry everyone who has a child under the age of 3, because even if our trained ushers inspect your bags, you could be hiding dirty nuclear bombs inside those baby wipes you wanted to bring in to the stadium so your child doesn't develop diaper rash." Ri. Dic. U. Lous.
azwolverine
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 8:12 p.m.
I used to be an usher at UM games. That said, I don't think there is anything wrong with extra security. Fans still have the "liberty" to enjoy the game with the added feeling of security that due diligence is being done to protect them. No one is giving up their personal freedoms and lifestyle...110,000 fans will still pile into the stadium to enjoy the game. A little extra wait is no big deal when potential loss of life is involved. Get real folks, 9/11 happened. Trying to prevent it a second time is the intelligent thing to do.
A2nerd
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 7:36 p.m.
A lot of the "idiot ushers" you refer to are people, many who have been there for years because they genuinely enjoy the atmosphere, and they volunteer their Saturdays to do their best to help people safely enjoy the games. As an alumnA who still goes to games, I never understand why people need to bring purses and bags into an already cramped stadium for four hours: what could they possibly (aside from medical necessity) need that cannot fit in pockets?
patriotact
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 7:19 p.m.
I am glad that they are increasing security...it just makes it safer for us to enjoy the game. For those that think that A2 couldnt be a target...anyone remember the threat to Ann Arbor that happened on a football saturday a few years ago and that threat originated in the middle east? Regardless of the teams that are playing, a strike at UM stadium would receive national coverage and have a large symbolic value. Terrorists most likely could care less about the football teams....100,000 fans no mater what team they like would be a major impact everywhere. Just my 2 cents. Thank you first responders for doing your best to keep me safe while I enjoy a football saturday.
tater
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 6:46 p.m.
Are the idiot ushers going to use terrorism for an excuse when they yank someone for having the nerve to stand up and cheer, like they threatened to do to a guy trying to lead cheers in a blue-hair section last week?
Txmaizenblue
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 6:18 p.m.
Sad day indeed...as we are reminded once again that cowards seek relevance to society. NOTE TO TERROR GROUPS: If your god is so wonderful, mighty and powerful then why does he need puny cowards like you to do his work?
A2Dave
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 6 p.m.
Those who would sacrifice liberty for safety will end with neither. Oh, what the heck, it's just bags, bottles--a little here, a little more there, no biggie.
udmgod
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 5:45 p.m.
Yeah right, that's what terrorists want, to inconviene us. Get real. The goal of terrorism is to cause terror. Kill one to scare millions. A threat is a threat, extra precautions are intelligent. Yes they're a headache, but a delay is worth saving thousands. Unlikely they'd attack so close to a cultural center of their own but not impossible, especially if they feel like those in attendance are the biggest infidels of all. It is a shame that we must take precautions because people should have tolerance for all walks of life, but, it is a sign of our times. People should be patient when precautions are taken, it's for their own safety. I'm a little surprised un-pocketed seat cushions will be allowed. It would be just as easy to make one of those into something dangerous as it would to carry them in a purse. The real question is, are those who work there being checked, are shipments and trucks near or around facilities checked, baggy clothed individuals? These are the real threats. All pose as threats with large bombs, human bombs, or workers who taint food or drinks. While I applaud the extra precautions, are the basics being checked?
MichFanTex
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 5:22 p.m.
Michigan v Indiana, a terrorist target? Puhleeze. Though there will be 100,000 + at the game, I can think of three other games played in A2 that would have a far greater impact, ND, PSU, and OSU, games with guaranteed national exposure.
MG
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 4:46 p.m.
Or, "Dear Criminals and Petty Thieves, there will be a boatload of purses in vehicles parked outside. Help yourselves."
Eryn
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 4:38 p.m.
This kind of reaction is exactly what the terrorists want. We are feeding into it, and with every "extra precaution" we take, they win. They don't care about hurting a few (or many) people - their target and goal is to cause us as much inconvenience as possible. We all applaud our "success" at not being attacked after 9/11, but they haven't needed to come after us again, all they have to do is issue these declarations every few months and we go running for the hills like good little sheep. WAKE UP! It's not worth giving up our personal freedoms and lifestyle for the illusion of "safety" - but it is exactly what Al-Qaida wants.
azzicit
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 4:31 p.m.
No its not ridiculous. There are over 110,000 people that go to the game and Michigan is home to the largest population of Muslims outside of the Mid East. No I am not painting all the Muslims with a paintbrush here. Its just that a few terrorists could blend in with the crowd quite easily.
Ben
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 4:15 p.m.
I think it's ridiculous that security would be increased at the Big House because of a general national warning about Al-Qaida. Are terrorists really going to target Ann Arbor? We shouldn't completely disregard possible threats, but I think this country is still in a state of hysteria about terrorism. We can't live in fear by letting any vague warning affect our day to day activities.
81wolverine
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 4:07 p.m.
Great. As if security hasn't become tight enough. Hopefully these measures will not be permanent.