BOSTON — Authorities in Boston closed streets, towed parked cars and restricted alcohol sales in some parts of the city Sunday night in an effort to ensure Super Bowl revelry remained controlled and safe.
But the New York Giants did more than anyone to hold the New England fans in check.
The Giants shocked the Patriots by scoring a touchdown with 35 seconds left to win 17-14 and prevent the Patriots from becoming the first 19-0 team in NFL history.
The measures to control fans around Boston were particularly strict in the Kenmore Square area, a frequent party spot crowded with bars, restaurants and students from nearby Boston University, Northeastern University and other schools.
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Boston Mayor Thomas Menino had announced plans last week to restrict alcohol sales in some parts of downtown Boston toward the end of the game. Police were doing walkthroughs of bars to monitor for alcohol and crowd violations.
Cars parked in the Kenmore Square area were towed and streets closed to traffic earlier Sunday. Police in riot gear patrolled Kenmore Square after the game as a helicopter flew overhead with its spotlight lighting areas of interest. Police took similar measures when the Red Sox won the World Series in October.
"Very peaceful so far ... A lot of disappointed Patriots fans and some happy Giants fans," police Deputy Sup. Paul Fitzgerald said.
The streets also were quiet around Fenway Park, with stunned fans clearing the area shortly after the game ended.
"I'm very upset. I'm shocked. I came here and wanted to be here because I thought the Patriots would win," Gosia Borkowski, a 34-year-old Quincy resident, said.
But 29-year-old Dwan Dube came terms with the outcome shortly after the game was over.
"I felt OK with it. I was pretty relaxed about it," Dube said. "I feel like the Boston sports has been so good this year. We had a great year with the Red Sox, Patriots and now the Celtics. It's OK, it's not terrible."
Pointed warnings were issued to students at universities across the state.
On the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, local and state police were on call. University authorities warned students last week of the consequences — including expulsion — for unruly behaviour.
They also were monitoring areas where students are prone to gather in big crowds, notably the southwest "tower area" where a large plaza tends to draw groups of celebrants.
Massachusetts is particularly sensitive to fan safety after two people were killed in recent years in post-game celebrations.
James Grabowski, 21, a Northeastern student, was killed during Patriots Super Bowl victory celebrations in 2004 when a drunken driver plowed through a crowd of revelers who had poured into the streets.
Victoria Snelgrove, 21, a student at Emerson College, died after the Red Sox came from behind against the New York Yankees to win the American League championship in October 2004. She was struck in the head by a pepper pellet fired by police during crowd-control effort.
An independent investigation into her death faulted the police for poor planning and serious errors of judgment.
Boston city officials have co-ordinated with the State Police, university police and law enforcement agencies throughout the region to ensure a coordinated public safety plan.
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