KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before Chiefs fan celebrated a win against the San Francisco 49ers, many tailgated in the parking lots surrounding the stadium.
As the season continues, security will ramp up enforcement of a policy the Chiefs implemented during the preseason that will require tailgaters to enter the stadium at kickoff or pack up and exit the parking lot.
The policy, which was introduced as a guideline from the NFL but ignored by several other teams, aims to improve safety and security outside the stadium.
Not everyone agrees the measure was needed.
“I don't like it; it's kind of a rip off,” Daniel O’Dell said, citing the expense of parking and the joy many fans get from tailgating.
Leticia Layne agreed, “What's the harm in it really? Have we had a lot of problems out here? I don't think so."
Other fans don't have a problem with the new policy.
“I think that it just makes sense from a liability standpoint," Michelle Bunton said. "Being a big Chiefs fan, I just think if you're going to buy a ticket, you go in, you tailgate, you have fun. But if you're not going to go in and you're done tailgating, it's probably time to go home."
Security plans to loosely enforce the policy through midseason as fans get used to the change. For now, Chiefs staff is taking notes and making observations rather than forcing people to leave.
