SUPER BOWL XXI : NOTEBOOK
About 150 police officers--far beyond the 12 to 15 normally assigned to patrol Pasadena’s streets--arrested at least 38 people by 5 p.m.
Pasadena police spokeswoman Mary Schander said 31 men, one woman and three teen-age girls were arrested on suspicion of grand theft, most for pickpocketing.
At least two other men were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs, and one man was arrested for scalping tickets, she said. Scalping is legal in California except when done at the scene of the event for which tickets are being sold.
Police also towed dozens of cars parked illegally around the Rose Bowl. California Highway Patrol officers, Los Angeles County Sherrif’s deputies and a special unit of Los Angeles Police Department assisted the Pasadena police, Schander said.
The crowds began arriving at the Rose Bowl as early as 6 a.m. even though the gates did not open until noon.
About noon, the California Highway Patrol issued a traffic alert, saying two freeways leading to the stadium were extremely congested. Travelers were told to take alternate routes. Similar congestion was expected following the game, officers said.
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