Fans can find 'safe havens' at Georgia-Florida game

By Rhonda Cook

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Fans need a “safe haven” at the Georgia-Florida football game in Jacksonville this weekend?

Apparently so.

Jacksonville officials have tried to downplay the game's image as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," but the reality is that some fans still drink too much before, during and after the game.

That is what led to the creation of the "sideline student safety zone," said Christina Langston, with Jacksonville's office of special events.

The University of Georgia and the University of Florida asked the city for posts where students could go for help but now the zones are designed for any of the fans.

"We had some unfortunate incidents," Langston said. "We came together collectively and decided we would institute the sideline safety zones."

In 2004, a student fell from a parking garage and died. The next year a University of Florida student, celebrating his team's win, was beaten to death.  And in 2006, a 27-year-old man died after falling down some steps at downtown restaurant located at the center of post-game celebrations.

Langston said the city is adding two more zones -- up from three in the previous two years -- at Florida's request. That may mean the 80 volunteers and support staff will see more than the 500 people who showed up last year.

The five “sideline student  safety zones” outside the stadium are places where fans can get help -- any kind of help. "Maybe their phone has died or they’ve lost their group or they need directions or they need to take a nap. We have a bevy of services available," Langston said.

Also, Langston said, fans younger than 21 "who request assistance for themselves or their friends won't be subject to legal action on alcohol issues. The zones are really about helping people," she said.

But Laurie-Ellen Smith, special assistant to the Jacksonville sheriff, said officers  can’t ignore it if the law breaking occurs right in front of them.

So those 21 and younger should leave their beer, wine and mixed drinks behind when before coming to one of  the safety zones.

The zones open at 4 p.m. Friday and will be closed only from 3 a.m. until noon Saturday, the day of the 3:30 p.m. game. The zones will remain open the rest of Saturday and until about 3 a.m. on Sunday.