The Copa América will feature three matches at New York/ New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, and the New Jersey State Police will be the primary law enforcement agency responsible for securing each game in East Rutherford.
With millions of tourists coming to see the games at MetLife Stadium, the primary law enforcement agency responsible for the Meadowlands Sports complex has to be on their “A Game,” and these are some of the things they do to ensure the safety of every one according to Sergeant Charles Marchan.
The NJ State Police play a crucial role in ensuring safety during major events at MetLife Stadium. They conduct comprehensive intelligence gathering to identify any threats or hazards that may impact the event or the region. The NJSP staffs these events with tactical, patrol, and investigative personnel, ready to respond to any potential threats and implement measured protective actions.
For law enforcement to be on their A-game, they must have an A team in place, just like the teams we see play on the field. Marchan can draw on a wealth of experience to cover significant events at MetLife ahead of this year’s Copa America.
The NJSP continues to be the premier law enforcement agency, drawing from their wealth of expertise in ensuring safety and security at large venues and major events. I’ve had the opportunity to cover a wide range of major events over the past several years at MetLife Stadium, including NFL games, international soccer matches, Wrestlemania, large religious gatherings, music concerts, and festivals.
One thing that always happens when there is a major sporting event in the area is traffic. It clogs the roads so that traveling 20 miles from a North Jersey suburb to MetLife ends up taking hours. The traffic occupies not only fans traveling to see the games but also the law enforcement tasked with surveilling the roads leading up to the venue. This would overwhelm any ordinary police department but not the State Police.
New Jersey residents can rest assured that their safety and security take center stage during the COPA Tournament. Our meticulous planning involves not only our law enforcement partners but also our mass transit and regional roadway agencies, all with a singular focus on the well-being of residents in both New York and New Jersey.
There's a saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It can also be said it takes a village to make sure a major sporting event is managed well. When it comes to how the NJ State Police manage a major sporting event, it takes a village of other agencies and authorities to ensure the safety of all involved.
The New Jersey State Police (NJSP) collaborate closely with federal and local law enforcement agencies during major events. Our enduring agency partnerships are key to our success. Through intelligence sharing and operational planning with the NYPD and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, we consistently demonstrate the effectiveness of strong interagency cooperation.
In just two years, North Jersey and MetLife stadium will play host to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the World Cup, MetLife stadium will host five group-stage matches, a round of 32 games, 16 games, and the World Cup final. That could mean millions of tourists coming to the greater New York metropolitan area in the summer of 2026. That’s why it’s heartening to know that the New Jersey State Police are already ahead of the game, collaborating with federal and local law enforcement and mass transit agencies to ensure the World Cup goes as planned.
New Jersey and the surrounding region are well-prepared for the FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC2026). Our planning partners, who have been collaborating for over a year, play pivotal roles in the preparations for the COPA Tournament.
Be sure to check out JerseySportingNews.com for more Copa updates!
- Copa America a 'Dry Run' for the 2026 FIFA World Cup - June 26, 2024
- MetLife Matchup: Uruguay Square up with Bolivia at the Home of Giants/Jets - June 26, 2024
- Copa America Preview: Argentina clash with Chile at MetLife Stadium - June 26, 2024
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