Officials at a Tampa police union feel “kicked in the face” after the city designates all of its police units to host official NFL game day events to celebrate Super Bowl LV, despite grave health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Darla Portman, president of the Tampa Police Benevolent Association (PBA), told Fox News in an interview on Saturday that officials were expecting some form of Super Bowl celebration, but certainly not on the scale of the events due to take place on Sunday, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers do the Kansas City Chiefs.
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“We felt it was going to be a scaled-down event. There wouldn’t be a lot of additional activity and we wouldn’t be putting in a lot of officers,” Portman said, noting those plans changed two weeks ago after the Buccaneers abandoned the NFC championship.
An open letter signed by union officials to their members on Wednesday said police were aware of 90 unofficial Super Bowl events in five days. “Many of them have national figures, celebrities, and entertainers advertised as in attendance to attract a crowd.” . “
In this file photo dated Feb. 4, 2021, people wait in line for an exhibit at the NFL Experience in Tampa, Florida. The city hosts the Super Bowl soccer game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, file)
The LV Tampa Bay Super Bowl Hosting Committee issued a statement to Fox News that they were not aware of any other events other than those scheduled for the day of the sporting event in downtown Tampa.
“The NFL and the Host Committee have a limited number of personally approved events, with most of the previously scheduled events either canceled or moved to a virtual format,” the committee told Fox News. “We haven’t added any events recently. Any event recently added is not approved by the NFL or the Hosting Committee. We appreciate the continued cooperation of all local law enforcement agencies involved.”
Portman said she and other union officials expected the NFL to cut down on the celebrations, as other major sports leagues have done this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that killed more than 27,000 people in Florida and over 1.76 Millions of others in the state have been infected.
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“The Lightning were in the Stanley Cup and the NHL restricted large gatherings and played on practically empty rinks. The Rays took a similar perspective when they made it to the big show. When the risk to pirates, the Rays and the Lightning is too high what is so different for the NFL? ”the letter said.
An NFL spokesman told Fox News in a statement Saturday that “due to COVID, far fewer events are under the control of the league this year”.
“The league has been coordinating with local, state and federal agencies, including the CDC and the Florida Department of Health, who have reviewed and provided feedback on the NFL’s COVID-related plans for all events, including the game. These protocols serve to protect the health and safety of all fans and employees. This includes the Super Bowl Experience, a free event for fans, “said the spokesman.
“All event and protocol plans were clearly communicated with the Tampa Police Department, who have been an excellent partner for a year to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
In this file photo dated February 4, 2021, fans of the Kansas City Chiefs take a selfie in front of Raymond James Stadium prior to Super Bowl 55 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo / Charlie Riedel, file).
NFL-approved events include The Super Bowl Experience, which features live music, food, and soccer-themed activities in six parks along the 2.7-mile Tampa Riverwalk.
Health officials have raised concerns that Super Bowl festivities will turn into a super-spreader event as the crowds gather to watch and celebrate the game.
“I’m honestly worried about Super Bowl Sunday. People gather, they watch games together. We have seen soccer party outbreaks before,” said Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) to the Associated Press. “So I really think we have to watch this and be careful.”
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Tampa Mayor Jane Castor signed an executive order on Wednesday mandating that outside of town guests must always wear masks, especially in the neighborhoods around Raymond James Stadium – where the Super Bowl will be held – and other touristy areas Hotspots, but the portman says it’s not enough.
“If we are still in a pandemic and we are still worried about COVID, why are we having such big events?” Portman cited the mayor’s state of emergency, which began last March. “It seems almost contradicting itself.”
“Our safety and health no longer matter. It’s almost like it’s all about the money and bringing that NFL experience to bear,” she said, adding that around 300 Tampa officials suffered COVID- as during this pandemic. 19 have signed.
Portman told Fox News that the NFL has provided 150,000 non-medical masks for visitors and key personnel to be worn at Super Bowl events.
The NFL provided 150,000 non-medical masks for visitors and key personnel to be worn at Super Bowl events.
(Skelly Strategic Solutions)
Although the Tampa Police Department provides N-95 masks for law enforcement officers, the masks that have a disclaimer stating that they are “not intended to prevent or protect from any form of illness or disease” indicate ” false sense of security “” for people wearing them.
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The NFL allows 22,000 visitors to Raymond James Stadium to play and requires all to wear masks. The stadium usually has a capacity of 75,000 fans.