Injuries, arrests in Super Bowl partying

Crowds packing downtown streets for celebrations and parties ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl have led to injuries and arrests and caused authorities to consider changes in crowd control plans.

Police said 11 people were injured on Friday night when about 50,000 people jammed the Super Bowl Village area for a free concert by the band LMFAO.

Spectators complained of pushing and shoving as people tried to view the stage, some reportedly even climbing on top of a police car.

The Indianapolis Star reported that police had plans to restrict access to the concert stages and other area attractions if too many people fill the area.

More than 200,000 people visited the area on Friday. The three-block walking zone features shops, attractions and nightclubs.

Unusually warm weather for the winter season and the short driving distance from a handful of major cities that have never had a Super Bowl staged so near has helped boost the number of tourists flocking to Indianapolis.

Most of the Super Bowl parties and attractions are only a few blocks from the main stadium and hotels being used for Super Bowl 46 by the NFL and the competing teams, the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

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