INDIANAPOLIS — With huge crowds all weekend for the Big Ten Football Championship, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department wants to remind you to be smart and safe. The department will have a major presence as they do for these major events downtown.
Right now, there are no active threats for the game, but IMPD said it’s all hands on deck for this game.
“There’s always precautions we have to take just with the way things are in this day and age,” said IMPD Cmdr. Tom Sellas.
Sellas said departments plan for every type of emergency, including weather.
The Big Ten Football Championship has been held in Indianapolis since 2011 so it’s not the department’s first time preparing for this game, where thousands of people descend on Indianapolis.
Signs are already up warning around Lucas Oil Stadium, warning people they can only bring in one clear bag and a small item like a purse for the Northwestern-Ohio State game.
Thousands of college students are making the trip from Evanston and Columbus.
“If we identify someone who is intoxicated if they are underage they are going to be arrested because they’re underage,” said Sellas. “We also contact the Big Ten to inform the schools of what’s going on with this.”
IMPD won’t have any extra DUI patrols, but they’ll be on the lookout in the downtown district. IMPD said it’s up to bars and vendors to make sure people aren’t being over-served.
Visit Indy said to always remember there are cabs and ride-sharing available, and people can walk if they’re staying in the downtown area.
(WISH-TV Eric Feldman)
(Photo Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
