Packers security assesses rowdy playoff game

GREEN BAY - For the first time since Saturday's rowdy playoff game at Lambeau Field, Packers officials are talking about the effectiveness of changes to their alcohol policy.

"We were just trying to be responsible, get everybody home safe, and make it enjoyable for everyone else there. Whether they were drinking or not," said Doug Collins, Packers security director.

Security during games at Lambeau Field is under review.

Fans at the Packers-Vikings game set a record for behaving badly.

The numbers from Green Bay police include 21 arrests, a record for the season.

Ninety-one people ejected from the stadium, the most police say they've ever seen.

But the team's still satisfied with its security.

Police say the Packers playoff game at Lambeau Field had the makings of a perfect storm.

"Playing a division rival on a Saturday night, where people didn't have to work the next morning," said Lt. Jody Buth, Green Bay Police Department.

Packers security and Green Bay police had a plan. For the first time, alcohol sales would stop at the end of halftime. Fans and vendors had to adjust. 

"If they were in line at that point, and then we cut it off at the end. Obviously there were still people coming to the line beyond the kick. So that's were some of the confusion lied," said Collins.  

"There were some that were upset you know, feeling that they had the right to have another drink, but I think in the end, they understand that we're just trying to be responsible," said Collins.

Fans were encouraged to report any problems.

"I think the fans, letting us know via text, talking to ushers, talking to officers, allowed us to take care of those issues on the spot as well," said Collins.

Police enforced zero-tolerance even before the game.

"If anybody came up to the gate where obviously intoxicated to the point where we felt they were going to be causing some problems inside the game, during the game, we ejected them early, in a proactive approach," said Buth.

Police say they don't know how many people were ejected before the game.

Security officials say this game was a learning experience. They say any changes will be on a game-by-game basis.

"Knowing ahead that there was a potential that we could have some issues going on, the planning and everything that we did for it, I thought it went very well," said Buth.

And there could still be one more home game.

The NFC championship game, if the Packers and Seahawks win this weekend.

Police say they will be ready.