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Agencies Huddle To Prepare For Super Bowl Security

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 18, 2008

TAMPA - Representatives from more than 50 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies met in Tampa on Thursday to participate in an exercise to strengthen security planning when the city hosts Super Bowl XLIII in February.

"It's a very massive undertaking," said Dave Couvertier, the spokesman for the FBI's Tampa division.

The FBI's Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) has been working with other law enforcement agencies for more than a year to coordinate efforts, Couvertier said. That effort culminated in Thursday's "table-top exercise," in which members of the agencies discussed responses to terrorist activities, hostage situations, child abductions, kidnappings and other violent crimes that could take place in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.

The law enforcement and public safety officers, which included members of Tampa police, Tampa Fire Rescue, the U.S. Air Force and area sheriff's offices, also presented scenarios such as jail riots, bombings, air and train crashes and natural disasters, Couvertier said.

But the best-case scenario is that none of those incidents happen and everybody enjoys the Super Bowl and related festivities, Couvertier said.

"It was very positive," Couvertier said of Thursday's exercise. "It strengthened the rapport with the other agencies. The public can help out as well. Everybody should be vigilant to maintain a safe environment."

The FBI is planning more exercises in the coming months, he said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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