South Bend Businesses and Police Prepare for 130,000-Plus Visitors as GameDay Comes to Town 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — With ESPN’s "College GameDay" coming to South Bend for Saturday’s showdown against top-ranked Miami, local police are ramping up security measures.

Following gun violence during the Michigan State game weekend, the South Bend Police Department stepped up patrols and brought in assistance from outside agencies. Department officials noted a lower number of incidents during the most recent home game.

Between 130,000 and 150,000 visitors are expected in town this weekend. Pedestrians near campus will notice extra fencing set up along the perimeter. Officials at the University of Notre Dame said the barricades are designed to guide foot traffic safely onto sidewalks, not to block access.

Local businesses along Eddy Street and South Bend police said they are excited for the game, but strict safety measures remain firmly in place. Police officials hold planning meetings before every home game to review security and game day logistics.

"We're going to have additional staffing in our Real-Time Crime Center, coordinating with staffing with Notre Dame PD," said South Bend Police Capt. Kyle Dombrowski. "Additional officers from our afternoon shift, our patrol shift, but also additional staffing from our Strategic Focus Unit and other officers from other jurisdictions who are going to be assisting pretty much all day for the game."

Nearby businesses are also adjusting standard operations to keep crowd energy controlled late into the night.

"Kite has asked all tenants to close at 12 a.m.," said Amber Goddard, general manager at O'Rourke's. "That's kind of to get people to go somewhere else late night and, you know, keep things a little bit more calm in the area. Everyone should be able to have a good time. No worries."

Police emphasized that the heavy law enforcement presence is intended to prevent trouble before it begins.

"We're all about having people have a good time, you know, enjoy themselves, but it's always that small fraction of individuals who always ruin it for everybody, and that's why we're having the additional staffing," Dombrowski said. "Be vigilant, stay aware, and if you see something that is out of place ... say something."

Regarding the fatal shootings on Bissell Street this past September, Dombrowski noted that the investigation remains active.

"Our Violent Crimes Unit and our Strategic Focus Unit are working together to, you know, identify and hold those individuals accountable with that," Dombrowski said. "Somebody knows information out there, and that's where it's sad. We can only play our part, but this is where having that tie with the community and that connection is to help us, you know, give justice to those victims and their families."

Drivers should be prepared for several streets surrounding campus to convert to one-way traffic throughout the day Saturday.

Notre Dame Gameday - INBOUND

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