Mayor Maddox Speaks On High Security

There are a lot of changes in Tuscaloosa coming for Saturday as Georgia plays Alabama. Former President and current Presidential Candidate Trump makes his way to watch this intense rivalry game, and many are expecting security changes. Mayor Walt Maddox spoke in an interview on increased security with Trump coming to Bryant Denny.

Mayor Maddox spoke on the preparation of Saturday's events stating, "It started about two weeks ago when we were first notified that this was a likely scenario with a Presidential visit." Maddox added, "Our first responsibility is public safety, and the safety of the former President, Republican nominee, and potentially the next President of the United States."

When asked in the interview how these recent attempts on the Former president's life have changed security measures, Maddox spoke on the impact saying, "This is the first time in my career that we've had a former President and nominee of a party, this close to an election come, but the best way I can compare it to is it feels no different than President Obama came in 2011 and when President Trump came in 2019." Maddox continued, "From our preparation, the resources we are allocating, the attention to detail, it's as high level as it gets."

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Maddox stated to fans that "early is better" in regards to a smooth process of getting inside the stadium for kick-off. "It's just going to be more difficult, and there is no way around it...it should be". Many other visitors to come to Tuscaloosa such as Koe Wetzel, and Gameday. Alabama Commits: Keelon Russell, Ty Haywood, Dijon Lee, Caleb Cunningham, and other three and four-star players to attend Saturday's game.

With all the planning for Saturday's game, Mayor Maddox expressed how proud he was of his team in navigating how hectic everything is right now. "Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and many other city employees from our crews that will be picking up garbage, right of way crews, revenue officers, inspections, everything that goes into what it takes to have 100,00 people come into your city, plus all the logistical demands of everything going on," said Maddox. He added, "My hope is that on Sunday, everyone is still talking about the game and it's the only thing we are talking about."

Interviewers asked Maddox how much revenue would go into our economy due to this weekend to which Maddox cited, "The University of Alabama economic research department estimated a couple of years ago that an SEC game puts 25 Million into the economy...I would expect that number to get a little higher."

Maddox also gave input on what he believed the score might be with his predictions being, Alabama 31 and Georgia 27.

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