Why LPD’s SWAT team is helping with security at Husker football games

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — There is an extra layer of security at Husker football games this year.

For the first time, the Lincoln Police Department’s SWAT team will have a noticeable presence.

LPD said it want to make each home game as safe as possible, but some students said this measure is unnecessary.

“We’re there to react to anything that might be a greater risk to the public,” Assistant Chief Jason Stille said.

SEE ALSO: Husker fans taking new Memorial Stadium rules in stride

At Memorial Stadium, more than 80,000 fans pack the stands on game days.

LPD said you’ll be seeing more SWAT officers not just monitoring security but also leading players into the stadium.

Lincoln Police said the move is proactive and isn’t in response to any specific threat.

They said it’s to boost security and improve response times in the unlikely event of an emergency.

“We’ve seen these events happen around the country and even around the world, and while we don’t know the date or the time this could happen, we’re there just in case it does,” Stille said.

SEE ALSO: Memorial Stadium unveils new concessions menu and rules for booze

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Chief John Backer said the additional security has nothing to do with the recent addition of alcohol at games.

“It’s again another layer and another approach we can use, but it’s not about the alcohol sales at all,” Backer said.

But the move is causing some mixed reactions online and on the UNL campus.

“I think it’s unnecessary, and it doesn’t make me feel any safer,” sophomore Adam Juma said.

One student who didn’t want to go on camera said the extra security doesn’t bother him.

But most of the UNL students Channel 8 spoke to said they aren’t sure the added SWAT presence is needed.

“Why do we need such security, like high security, at a football game?” sophomore Emmaunel Ejenbi said.

Channel 8 asked Stille what he has to say to those reactions.

“On social media, there were a lot of people that loved it, a lot of people that hated it and a lot of people in the middle,” he said. “We all want a safe environment. We all want to go see a great game happen and happen in a safe environment, right? So, there’s going to be differences on how we do that.”