Police departments plan for post-victory celebrations

Hialeah, Miami PDs to control traffic after Game 7 of NBA Finals

MIAMI – Police departments across South Florida planned for post-Game 7 victory celebrations.

"We basically saturate the entire downtown area," said Miami Police Lt. Joel Gonzalez, who handles special events for the department. "Everything around the [AmericanAirlines] Arena is saturated with officers."

Gonzalez said bomb squad, canine officers, and patrolmen on bikes would be present throughout Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.

SPECIAL SECTION: Miami Heat in the NBA Finals

"Everything in front of the arena will be closed," said Gonzalez. "We don't want the people coming down here and doing any excessive celebration here in front of the arena so that we can get the traffic going as soon as possible."

The department planned several road closures in the area beginning at about 10:15 p.m. Click here to see them.

"In any victory, there's going to be a celebration," said Gonzalez. "What we want to make sure is that the celebration is safe for the people that not only are participating but for those who don't want to participate, for those that come here, want to go to the game, and want to leave."

In Hialeah, the police department planned to control traffic on W. 49th Street if a post-victory celebration happens.

"We have thousands of people coming out here and they come out in cars and they come out from all over the county," said Hialeah Police Det. Carl Zogby. "It's amazing. This is a hot spot."

"Everybody comes out to have a good time," said Heat fan Tony Allongo. "Everybody wants to enjoy it, be a part of it, and if you can't afford it, this is the best place to be."