Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Eagles fans celebrate Super Bowl win
Borough residents take to the streets to cheer for the Birds
WEST CHESTER » Eagles fans took to the borough streets Sunday evening to celebrate the teams’ first ever Super Bowl victory, a thrilling 41-33 win over defending champions New England Patriots. A large police presence of more than 50 West Chester, West Goshen, Uwchlan Township, West Chester University, Chester County Sheriffs and Pennsylvania State Police in riot gear stood by in teams as fans celebrated. Fans honked their horns and chanted E-A-G-L-E-S as they walked the icy sidewalks between bars and restaurants in town. Police closed the 300 block of South High Street as students from West Chester University thronged the streets. Fans hugged, cheered and gave each other high-fives as they enjoyed the victory.
West Chester Chief of Police Scott Bohn said there were no reports of injuries, and police made two arrests during the evening. A man was arrested
after jumping up and down on the roof of a police vehicle and a minor was arrested for breaking mirrors off cars.
One police supervisor said the crowd had been 99 percent well-behaved. He credited the expressions of state police for helping borough officers. One couple stopped to be photographed with about a dozen State Police troopers stationed in front of the Historic Chester County Courthouse. Other officers could be seen warning motorists to not allow fans to hang out of car windows as they drove along Gay Street.
The police supervisor said the evening had been much smoother than following the 2008 Phillies World Series victory when at least two people were injured and six people were arrested in the borough after thousands of people flooded the streets overturning cars as they celebrated the Philadelphia Phillies World Series championship.
Bouncers could be seen checking patrons at the various bars in town. An overdose was reported at Patton Avenue and Gay Street shortly before 1 a.m.; no other incidents were available to the press.
On Thursday, police had begun to warn citizens to be respectful and civil.
“Keep in mind that alcohol impairs one’s judgement, and behavior or misconduct may result in criminal liability. Throwing objects, damaging property or acting in a menacing or threatening way, will result in being arrested, which is not a good way to end your evening,” said a Facebook post from West Chester police ahead of the game.
Bohn said his department was coordinating with area partners and the county department of emergency services and the state to be prepared.
“It was a large crowd, but they were well-behaved and it went extremely well,” Bohn said. “Things were back to normal by 2 a.m.”