The upcoming Super Bowl game will be a desirable target for terrorists, according to a threat assessment by federal security officials, which outlines several scenarios of possible attacks and security precautions for the Feb. 3 event.
“Among the threats of greatest concern to high-profile events like the Super Bowl are the placement of explosive devices in heavily trafficked areas in and around the event site, to include individuals impersonating law enforcement and other security or service personnel and insiders to facilitate attacks,” the threat assessment said.
Domestic and international terrorists have targeted major sporting events in the past, including the 1972 Munich and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, said the assessment compiled by the FBI and Homeland Security Department.
“Al Qaeda and other Islamic terrorists may view sporting events as acceptable targets: the al Qaeda Training Manual specifically lists ‘… blasting and destroying the places of amusement, immorality, and sin … and attacking vital economic centers’ as a required mission of the al Qaeda military organization,” the assessment said.
The assessment, dated Jan. 14 and obtained by The Washington Times, reminds law-enforcement officers of past incidents near stadiums including an October 2005 incident in which a University of Oklahoma student blew himself up near the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
It also warns that many thefts of government and law-enforcement property that could be used to facilitate authorized entry have been reported in Arizona. Since October 2004, the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center has received more than 300 reports of thefts from fire, first responder, military and police personnel including from those in the Phoenix area where the game will be played.
The report cites a May 2005 non-terrorist incident in Talladega, Ala., where someone used a hat and jacket bearing the FBI insignia to impersonate a special agent to gain access to restricted areas during a NASCAR race without being questioned.
“The Super Bowl’s stature as a major media event probably increases its attractiveness to homegrown terrorists, whether acting alone or as part of a group, who understand the economic as well as symbolic importance of the game and surrounding activities to many in the homeland,” the report said.
FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said threat assessments are prepared for every major national security event as a “useful method of sharing information among federal and state law enforcement officers.”
“We have no significant threats at this point, but certainly an event of this size is a viable target and any threat will be taken seriously,” he said.
According to the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center, the event at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale will draw more than 500,000 visitors. The center is urging the public to report suspicious activity such as surveillance, suspicious requests for sensitive information, security probes or “suspicious people who don’t belong.”
“It is important to remember that terrorists are trained to ‘blend in’ and assimilate to their surroundings,” the center said.
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