Phoenix police to add more patrols, close streets, use cameras during World Series

With another national championship landing in the Valley of the Sun, both police and business owners are getting ready to make sure people are safe throughout the World Series games at Chase Field.

The Phoenix Police Department will increase patrols, close streets, monitor with cameras and partner with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to keep the peace during the upcoming games.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Brian Bower said the department will have more officers at the games, but there will still be enough officers on hand for regular patrols throughout the city.

"The department has reallocated some specialty officers and staffed events with off-duty officers to ensure maximum coverage for World Series events," he said in an email to The Arizona Republic.

The department plans on posting 60 additional officers to patrol the area during the games. Most of those extra bodies will be officers working overtime from the Downtown Operations Unit.

The department plans to close downtown streets to control traffic on game days, Monday, Tuesday and, potentially, Wednesday. Some streets will be closed at the beginning of the game to guide traffic into downtown and toward the stadium. At the end of the game, the closed streets will be opened to allow more people to leave the area and prevent congestion.

With the changing traffic patterns, the department recommends visitors use light rail to travel to the games and other venues. The extra patrols should be covering light rail stops, said Phoenix Police Sgt. Rob Scherer at a Friday press conference.

Chase Field gates will open at 2 p.m. for the World Series games, three hours before the first pitch, according to Major League Baseball. The 2 p.m. gate opening is an hour earlier than regular season Friday and Saturday games.

World Series: Here are metro Phoenix's best World Series 2023 watch parties and the deals they have

During these big events, fights are often a concern, according to Scherer. The potential for violence is why the department wants to get people in and out of the area quickly, he said.

"If anyone sees something suspicious, they should tell an officer," Scherer said. People should be vigilant and look for police on the street so they know who to alert if trouble arises, he said.

Spectators in the park with safety concerns can text "Dbacks" followed by their location and a short description of the issue to 69050, according to the Diamondbacks organization.

The Phoenix Police Department will be relying on the street cameras that they installed during the Super Bowl to keep an eye on traffic and other potential issues and move their officers where they are needed, Scherer said.

Phoenix Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan has said that using technology helps address the staff shortage the department has faced in recent years.

Phoenix police working with other law enforcement agencies

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office plans to add deputies to the downtown patrols and help with game day enforcement, said Scherer of Phoenix police.

There will be sheriff's deputies inside and outside Chase Field, said Sgt. Joaquin Enriquez, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.

The FBI will also be in "a heightened sense of vigilance" during the series, according to Kevin Smith, a spokesperson for the federal agency.

"The FBI's role in World Series security is to fully support our state, county and local law enforcement partners in the planning and execution of their security plans," Smith said.

Bar near stadium making plans for 'crazy week'

By Thursday night, one local business had already started making its security plans.

Hunter Hardt, manager at The Ainsworth, a bar near the stadium, said they would be increasing their private security.

"Usually, we have security on for post-concert type stuff, like late night," he said. "We're planning on having them here essentially from the time we open to when we close."

Hardt said he expects to see bigger crowds, considering the stadium will be sold out for games. He said he's planning for next week to be chaotic.

"Tuesday being the Sun's home game and the World Series on Monday. It's gonna be a crazy week," Hardt said.

Reach the reporter at miguel.torres@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: As Diamondbacks bring World Series to Phoenix, security increases