Bergen County officials raise safety concerns as World Cup approaches
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said there will be no ICE agents at any FIFA games or watch parties.
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Bergen County Executive James Tedesco is pushing for FIFA to offer more affordable ticket options for New Jersey fans after an announcement that fans from New York would receive a deal.
Tedesco sent a letter to the NYNJ FIFA World Cup Host Committee asking why Bergen County residents were not included. He said he also spoke with the governor’s office about a plan to give New Jerseyans affordable ways to see live soccer but has not received a response.
"The governor's office said that they were going to work with the host committee to come up with a response, and so far I've not received the response," Tedesco said Friday morning.
"We are working alongside the NYNJ Host Committee and other sponsors to see what options are available to make the World Cup more accessible for New Jersey communities," a spokesperson for the governor told News 12.
Additionally, Tedesco said one of his biggest concerns is the possibility of people trying to walk to the stadium. While state police are in charge of safety inside the stadium, he said many agencies from around Bergen County will need to manage what happens outside the Meadowlands in the event of an emergency.
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"You have to make sure that we have the resources available to not only be prepared to address any issue down there. What about a mass casualty incident, a bus flipped over, or a van with a lot of people in it, or things like that, where it brings the roadway system to a halt," Tedesco said.
Officials are also on high alert following recent events at Delaney Hall as the World Cup approaches.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said there will be no ICE agents at any FIFA games or watch parties.
"We have been ensured by our federal agents that ice will not be present at the games or at any of the watch parties or the community events," Musella said.
