FBI covering all bases in assessing Super Bowl security threats
SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - With San Francisco hosting Super Bowl City and Santa Clara hosting the game itself, federal officials say they're assessing all security threats.
In a memo to various law enforcement agencies, what the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are looking at include a series of unsolved vandalism of fiber optic cables in California.
Most of them took place in the Bay Area cities: San Jose, Fremont and Walnut Creek since 2013.
The FBI says there have been 15 such cases that have remained unsolved.
"Absolutely it's a concern," said Jeffrey Harp, retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the San Francisco office.
Federal officials are now looking to see if those cases may be tests by those who plan to threaten the Super Bowl and related events.
"If it was cut, it would be a disaster. This is a big event. This is the largest spectator event we have in America ..the Super Bowl," said Harp, a counter terrorism expert for the FBI before retiring in October.
He has seen the Super Bowl threat assessment memo from federal officials.
"Every criminal act doesn't have to be terrorism because it's disruptive to the financial institution or disruptive to Silicon Valley. People can get a lot of bang for the buck by cutting a fiber optic cable but it doesn't mean they're a terrorist group, “said Harp.
He says an attack on fiber optics systems can cause massive problems whether it is at San Francisco's Super Bowl City or at Levi Stadium; potentially stopping the Super Bowl itself.
But Harp and Congressman Eric Swalwell who's on the House Intelligence Committee say the bigger concern is the type of attack carried out recently by so called "lone wolves."
"We've got a fairly good read on what terrorist groups could be planning. The bigger fear is a San Bernardino or Paris like attack by smaller cells," said Congressman Swalwell.
Super Bowl City organizers say there will be four entrance gates for the tens of thousands of people attending the festivities along the San Francisco waterfront.
There will be metal detectors and other security measures fans would expect at any large sporting event whether it be here at Super Bowl City or at Levi Stadium.
Harp says the threat of a fiber optic attack is minimal
"This is a possibility. Let's keep an eye on things. Let's not diminish it. Let's not overlook it," said Harp.
He says federal officials assess security threats for all Super Bowls.