WLPD works to keep Purdue's Homecoming weekend safe for all visitors

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - "Being Homecoming, and Wisconsin has a strong fan base, we just have a lot of people coming to watch this game," West Lafayette Police Lieutenant Bill Gallagher said about the thousands of people visiting West Lafayette Homecoming weekend.

Patrolling around Chauncey Village, it's evident students, alumni and visitors are coming to Purdue's campus for the big weekend.

Gallagher said West Lafayette, Lafayette and Purdue police departments, along with State Police and the West Lafayette Fire department, have a big job to do on the busiest game day of the year.

"As you can see we have the logistic nightmare of bringing everybody in to see the game, both vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well as you add in the wildcard of Breakfast Club and the alcohol consumption," Gallagher said.

Making sure traffic flows is the biggest task of the day, but he said sometimes the wildcard, Breakfast Club, interferes.

"If they're drinking by 7 in the morning, around 9 or 10 o'clock they've had quite a bit to drink so now you're having heavy traffic and a lot of people that have been consuming alcohol in the same area," Gallagher said.

Lt. Gallagher said the barriers along State Street around the bars helps separate pedestrians from the heavy traffic heading toward the stadium. Gallagher said traffic is the heaviest about three hours before kick off.

Despite the thousands of visitors coming to Purdue's campus Gallagher said, so far, Homecoming week has been a quiet one.

"We had the Homecoming parade last night and Purdue's having a lot of Homecoming activities and everything's running extremely smooth. Fine, with very little action needed by us other than just directing traffic," Gallagher said.

Gallagher said WLPD will continue to ensure everyone is celebrating Homecoming safely the remainder of the weekend.