CINCINNATI (WKRC) – There’s a slight change to the game day experience for Bengals fans, which was announced before the Sept. 14 home opener.
The Banks will be tightening security in the plaza.
“We’ve got that new wrinkle; it’ll probably take a game or two for the patrons to get used to the new protocol,” said Tracy Schwegmann.
She said it’s similar to what’s being done on Friday and Saturday nights and during Reds games. For the first time this season, the plaza will be 21 and older during the home and even away games, but only during the time the Bengals are on the field.
“We’ll have police starting at noon; we’ll shut it down from 12:30 p.m. to 21 and over. We’ll stay closed from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., depending on what time the game is. For both the Minnesota and Denver games, we’ll come back with a home game, and then we’re going to evaluate it from there,” said Schwegmann.
Jim Moehring, owner of Holy Grail, said that the restaurants and bars want to make the festivities safe.
So, if a young person has parental supervision, they will be allowed in.
Plus, the plaza will open before and after game time for all ages to eat or walk through.
Cincinnati Police Captain Adam Hennie said they will be more visible during these times.
“In addition to the officers that are going to be working the detail itself and the traffic posts, we are going to have an additional CDRT and SWAT officers out in this area. Also, there’s additional visibility from the officers that work here at the Central Business Section, who will be on bikes and on their trikes,” said Hennie.
Captain Hennie said the drone unit and real-time crime social media monitor will be enabled as well.