Penn Relays security in spotlight

Penn's top public safety official said Monday that the university is continuing to meet with law enforcement personnel at the city, state, and federal levels to make sure that fans are "totally comfortable" while attending this week's Penn Relays.

Maureen Rush, vice president of public safety and superintendent of the University of Pennsylvania police, reiterated the ban on backpacks, large bags, and large coolers for spectators. She said that there will be stricter and more rigorous enforcement of regulations that have been in place "probably since 9/11," and that bomb-sniffing dogs and bomb-disposal units will be on site.

She said any bags brought in by spectators, competitors, coaches, officials, or media that are left unattended will be handled with every precaution.

"No one should just put a bag down and walk away unless it's in the charge of someone that they know," Rush said at a Penn Relays news conference. "It's not just, 'Hey, can you watch my bag?' It's going to be similar to what the provisions are for TSA at the airport. You don't leave bags and walk away.

"If there is a bag that is seen, we have a whole procedure in place that will be communicated, and law enforcement will tend to that bag."

With competition beginning Thursday and continuing through Saturday, Rush said officials still were working on how to handle the backpacks of contestants who leave their bags in the paddock area while running their races.

She said women's pocketbooks will be searched "just like they'll be searched if you're going to a Phillies or an Eagles game."

She said officials reserved the right to close South Street or South 33d Street, the two main roads on the Franklin Field perimeter, at any moment if there is any issue outside the stadium.

A week after the Boston Marathon bombings, Rush said university police and security forces have been working with law enforcement, including homeland security at the city, state, and federal levels, with the cooperation of athletic department officials, "to ensure that it is not only safe in reality, but the perception.

"People across the country right now are very nervous about going to large events," she said, "and we want to ensure that they feel totally comfortable coming here."

A full list of security regulations can be found at the Penn Relays website, www.thepennrelays.com.