Jets, Giants fans' security tightened

Fans attending NFL games will require additional time to enter stadiums this season as a result of recently introduced security measures, prompting both the Jets and Giants to advise ticket-holders to arrive early for games on Sunday and Monday at MetLife Stadium.

The league's security office instructed all 32 teams before the season to enhance pat-down procedures. As a result, all fans entering stadiums will be checked from their ankles up; beginning in 2005, pat-downs from the waist up were instituted.

"This is not a result of any specific threat, but we are always refining and improving our security procedures," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday. "The enhanced security procedures recommended by our office before the start of the season will further increase the safety of fans, but will require some additional time. We encourage fans to come early, enjoy their tailgating tradition, and be patient as they enter the stadium."

McCarthy reiterated that the procedures were instituted before the start of the season, and not as a result of an incident at last Sunday night's Jets-Cowboys game in which a man was arrested for allegedly using a stun gun during a scuffle in the stands.

Security officials had not detected the stun gun, which is about the size of a cellphone.

"The enhanced pat-down was in effect during last weekend's games, including the Jets' game," McCarthy said.

Fans can refuse pat-downs but may be refused entry at the discretion of the team, according to McCarthy.

Police used bomb-sniffing dogs to inspect all vehicles entering the stadium for the Jets-Cowboys game, which took place on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. It is uncertain whether bomb-sniffing dogs will be used for every vehicle this weekend or for future games.

The Jets host the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the Giants host the St. Louis Rams on Monday at 8:30 p.m. Both teams asked their fans to arrive early because of the new security measures.

"Gates open two hours before kickoff. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive at the entry gates 30 minutes earlier than their normal time," the Jets statement said. "We thank fans for their patience while entering the stadium."

The Giants have asked their fans to arrive early because of the security measures, as well as pregame autograph sessions involving members of their Super Bowl XXI championship team, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the team's first Super Bowl title.