TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) -- As the Wildcats advance in the NCAA tournament, the Tucson Police Department has been preparing for crowds in Tucson.
There have been chaotic scenes in Tucson as a result of tournament games, most recently in 2014 when there was a disturbance in the University Boulevard area.
Captain Mark Timpf with TPD says the agency began planning for March Madness in December. Timpf says officers met with business owners and merchants and asked what they would need on busy game days.
Beginning on Saturday if the Cats advance to the Elite 8, there will be a full deployment of officers stationed near University, 4th Avenue and downtown. Timpf could not give the specific number of officers.
Last week TPD released a video urging fans to celebrate responsibly. He says police will be out on the streets celebrating alongside fans while keeping people safe.
"They'll see officers in uniform, they'll be wearing a reflective vest," Timpf said. "And they'll be out there just doing their regular interactions with the public and the students and whoever is down there in these areas."
"This is an exciting time for all off us and we are very much just part of the scene down there," Timpf said. "We want to be viewed as part of the crowd and we're excited about it as they are."
