City prepared to provide security for Final Four events

'This is absolutely going to be a safe event,' SAPD Chief McManus says

City officials said Monday they're ready to keep 93,000 visitors safe during events for the NCAA Men's Final Four in downtown San Antonio, which begin Friday.

Police Chief William McManus said at a news conference that the city has hosted a Final Four and other big events in the past, including the New Year's Eve Tricentennial celebration and Fiesta every year, that has prepared them for this weekend.

"We have covered every single detail of security that you can think of, even things that you will never think of," McManus said. "We've covered them and, again, I repeat, this is absolutely going to be a safe event."

Related: 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four schedule of events

Fire Chief Charles Hood said firefighters and paramedics will be ready.

"We are here for the person who falls down and cuts their ankle. We're going to be here for someone who may have a heart attack," he said. "But we're also here to prepare for something more sinister, again, we hope will never happen. Our resources are here, planned and staged for this event."

Officials said that a clear bag policy will be in effect at all Final Four events.

The policy will be enforced at events, such as the Men's basketball national semifinals Saturday and the championship game Monday, Fan Fest, the music festival and the NCAA collegiate All-Star game.

Related: Here's how to get to Final Four events

The Final Four San Antonio Organizing Committee will be giving out 200,000 free Final Four clear bags throughout the weekend at parking lots, hotels and other public places so people can put their belongings in the bags before arriving at an event.

The bags will also be made available to VIA NCAA Music Fest/Fan Fest customers only while supplies last at three Park & Ride locations for this event: Madla Transit Center, Crossroads Park & Ride, and Blossom Athletic Center, March 30 – April 1.

Where to get free clear bags:

Drury Inn Plaza Riverwalk
El Tropicano Riverwalk
Embassy Suites San Antonio Riverwalk Downtown
Grand Hyatt
Hampton Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk
Hilton Palacio Del Rio
Holiday Inn Riverwalk
Hotel Contessa Luxury Suites Riverwalk
Hyatt Regency Riverwalk
La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown Riverwalk/Convention Center
Marriott Plaza
Sheraton Gunter
The St. Anthony Hotel
The Westin Riverwalk
Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
Cesar Chavez Blvd & S. Alamo
S. Alamo St. (between E. Commerce St. and E. Market St.)
Tower of the Americas Way & E. Market St.

Where to purchase a clear bag:

Drury Plaza Riverwalk
Grand Hyatt
Hilton Palacio Del Rio
Holiday Inn Downtown Market Square
Holiday Inn Riverwalk
Hotel Contessa
Hyatt Regency
JW Marriott Hill Country
La Quinta Inn & Suites Riverwalk/Convention Center
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter
San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk
Sheraton Gunter
The Westin Riverwalk
Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk


About the Authors:

Stephanie Serna is a weekday anchor on Good Morning San Antonio and GMSA at 9 a.m. She joined the KSAT 12 News team in November 2009 as a general assignments reporter.

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.