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Foxborough police in conjunction with the National Football League are implementing new rules at Gillette Stadium including a ban on many carry-in items, from coolers and brief cases to backpacks and seat cushions.


Officials have long wanted to incease security at the stadium and the Boston Marathon bombings have prompted them to act.


“I’m glad we are being proactive about it,’’ Sullivan said, crediting town police, stadium owner Robert Kraft, and the NFL. “You can’t stop it, but you can work to avoid it.”



A C-5A flys over a giant flag on the field prior to an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. The military was honored as part of the Salute to Service program as part of the Veteran's Day weekend. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)


Foxborough police in conjunction with the National Football League are implementing new rules at Gillette Stadium including a ban on many carry-in items, from coolers and brief cases to backpacks and seat cushions.


Officials have long wanted to incease security at the stadium and the Boston Marathon bombings have prompted them to act.


“I’m glad we are being proactive about it,’’ Sullivan said, crediting town police, stadium owner Robert Kraft, and the NFL. “You can’t stop it, but you can work to avoid it.”


Charles Krupa/AP Photo


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11/18/12 Foxborough, MA:FIRST QUARTER........ The Colts Tom Zbikowski fields the opening kickoff of the game. The New England Patriots hosted the Indianapolis Colts in a regular season NFL game at Gillette Stadium. section:sports topic: Colts-Patriots (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

The rules go into effect the day the New England Patriots meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first preseason home opener on Aug. 16.


Jim Davis/Globe Staff


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21hte - Pelican backpack (Handout)

Only clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches—and what permissible things that fit in them—will be allowed in the stadium unless a medical necessity requires a nonconforming bag.


Handout


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1/13/13: Foxborough, MA: PREGAME........Fans cheer as fireworks explode overhead at the conclusion of the national anthem. The championship banners from the team's three Super Bowl winning seasons are visible in the backround. The New England Patriots hosted the Houston Texans in an NFL Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium. section: sports topic: Texans-Patriots (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Foxborough Police Chief Ed O’Leary is coordinating efforts with the State Police, Team Opps (Kraft’s security force), and his own department in a collaborative effort that he says also relies on intelligence information from the FBI.


“It’s always been a concern that something could happen at Gillette,” whether it be the work of “terrorists” or just someone going “off the wall,” Sullivan said.


Jim Davis/Globe Staff


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8/17/02- Gillette Stadium aerial Patriots preseason game against the Eagles the first time the Patriots have played in the new stadium Library Tag 08182002 National/Foreign Page One

“Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment, and public safety is our top priority,” said Jeffrey Miller, NFL vice president and chief security officer.


Miller said the bag ban will make security checks “much more efficient and effective, and we will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment.”


While there is no estimate yet of how the time required might change, officials in Foxborough say the lines are already long and patrons should be prepared to see longer ones.


David Kamerman/Globe Staff


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