How Lincoln law enforcement keeps people safe at Husker games, other big events

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Sports events draw thousands to Lincoln, especially Husker games.

For each of them, law enforcement works together to prevent tragedies like the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ parade.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Police Department said security preparations start even before an event.

“If it’s something that’s planned, such as football games or other athletic contests, obviously we got an idea of the attendance and where’s going to be,” Capt. John Backer said.

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For bigger outdoor events, UNLPD partners with other agencies, like the Lincoln Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol.

If there is a threat to the public, the state patrol is law enforcement’s eyes in the sky.

“We can look out for threats for them, we can have a better advantage point than they can have on the ground,” said Barry Hinkle, one of the patrol’s helicopter pilots. “We do have radio communications with almost every single agency around here so we can direct talk to whoever’s on the ground.”

A UNL student appreciates the presence of police.

“Just football games, I feel generally safe there,” Harrison Johs said.

Because tragedies like mass shootings can occur anytime, Lincoln Police said the public plays a crucial role in preventing them.

“If we are focusing on officers responding to an event when it’s already happened, we’ve already lost,” Assistant Chief Jason Stille said. “We need the public to make sure that they are communicating specific threats that they may come across or people that they have an uneasy feeling about.”