IU police ready for heavy homecoming traffic and crowds

Indiana University officials are preparing for a surge of visitors this weekend as the campus hosts its homecoming celebration. The event coincides with a sold-out football game and national television coverage, prompting a coordinated safety response from multiple law enforcement agencies.

Benjamin Hunter, associate vice president and superintendent for IU Public Safety, stated that the goal is to assist visitors throughout the weekend. He emphasized the desire for people to visit Bloomington and enjoy the festivities. The IU Police Department is working alongside the Bloomington Police Department and the Indiana State Police to manage operations for the parade, the game, and media activities.

Hunter noted that the department has established a game day operations center and an emergency operations center. These hubs will monitor the event using drones to track traffic and crowd movement. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be deployed to maintain order.

Local residents and students expressed confidence in the safety measures. Aashni Deglurkar, an IU student, said the police do a good job of organizing crowds. She acknowledged that traffic can be heavy but described it as manageable rather than frightening. Her friend Jiya Surwanshi added that while travel times to campus destinations are long, she feels safe during big game weekends.

Police are asking fans to plan ahead and bring patience. Hunter advised attendees to arrive early and secure their tailgating or parking spots before joining lines. He said making the early trip allows visitors to enjoy the event without rushing.

Anyone attending the weekend events can register for emergency alerts by texting SafeIU to 77295 through Sunday. The schedule includes ESPN's College GameDay coverage starting at 9 a.m. at Showalter Fountain. The Hoosiers will play Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium.