LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Football season is back, and there are a couple of huge games happening in Little Rock later this week.
The Razorbacks will be in town to take on the UAPB Golden Lions on Thursday and then the War Memorial staff will jump right back into action for Friday's 50th annual Salt Bowl between Benton and Bryant.
Thousands of fans are expected to cheer on their teams, so multiple agencies have been cracking down on safety.
"We're just making sure that this is going to be the best experience for whoever decides to show up to the game," said Lt. Quenton Jackson with the Benton Police Department.
Even though the game is just a few days away, the planning isn't over yet.
Lieutenant Jackson has been a part of the safety prep meetings for the past several months.
"We're rearranging a few things. We're also enlisting the help of some outside agencies as well," Jackson added.
One of their focuses has been making sure that people aren't gathering in the stadium concourse.
"We're asking that you know that the students do not hang out in the concourse, that you go up into the stands and talk to your friends there," he explained.
Bryant Deputy Superintendent Todd Sellers said that has been an issue in the past.
"It's been something we've been battling for years. There are many of us, including myself, that spend a lot of time in the concourse trying to keep people moving," Sellers said.
They're also enforcing a zero-tolerance policy to keep that area clear.
"If we ask you to move on and get to where you need to be, and you refuse to do so, we're going to have you escorted out of the out of the game," he explained.
This year he said they have more manpower to keep a better eye on it.
It's also more than just the Benton and Bryant Police Departments who are involved in the safety plan.
"Both mayors of Benton and Bryant. Bryant PD, Benton PD, all of our school resource officers, Saline County Sheriff's Office have been involved. Arkansas State Police and, of course, the stadium officials as well," said Sellers.
Sellers and Jackson also hope to see a bigger turnout this year.
"Last year was kind of low at 18,000 and hopefully we can get back up there to maybe that 30,000 mark [or] 35,000 mark of where we've been before," Jackson said. "But, yeah, we just want people to feel safe and to be able to know that they can come to War Memorial, have a good time, enjoy a good game, and, you know, and then return home safely."
If you plan on attending the game there are some other things to keep in mind. War Memorial has a clear bag policy and metal detectors so remember to keep that in mind before coming into the stadium.