Police prepare for first UNCC home football game

Monday was the first day of class at UNC Charlotte, and campus was full of people and traffic, but things could get a lot more hectic when he campus hosts its first-ever home football game in less than two weeks.

On Monday, Eyewitness News spoke to the chief of campus police about his plan to keep people safe and deal with game day traffic.

Even the rain could not dampen Niner spirit on campus Monday, but for Campus Police Chief Jeff Baker, it has been anticipation of a different sort.

"We have been building our security plan for over two years," he said.

His team visited ACC and SEC schools on game days, preparing for 20,000 fans to converge on campus Saturday, August 31.

Game days will involve his officers, 26 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers, and the Charlotte Fire Department.

On Monday, Eyewitness News saw cameras that will monitor fans inside the stadium.

Officers on foot will keep tabs on tailgaters outside.

As far as traffic, Baker thinks it won't be an issue for neighbors in the University area.

The Department of Transportation told Eyewitness News that on Saturday at noon, there really is no traffic; even 15,000 cars would not even touch the amount of traffic on a weekday in the area.

Tailgating is allowed only in areas designated on your ticket, but we've already seen it create issues off campus.

There were some tailgating issues during the spring game. A restaurant manager at a shopping center across the street said the lot was full of tailgaters and his customers could not find a place to park.

Management put up no parking signs, but the lot could be slammed with tailgaters again on game day.

Chief Baker admits there will be a learning curve in this first season, but students are hoping the focus will be on football.

"The spring game went fine. I do not think it will be unmanageable," said Joseph Huson.

The first game is against Campbell August 31.

WSOC