BRUNSWICK, Maine — While public safety agencies across Maine and the U.S. were sending out their standard messages urging caution for those traveling to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, one police department in Maine found a way to spice things up.
Brunswick police "Bejeweled" its public safety message this year, encouraging fans to play it safe when it comes to drinking and driving so they can have "The Best Day" without an OUI.
"...Ready for It?"
Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas concludes the 2023-2024 NFL season with a matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. One in every three Americans is expected to watch the game Sunday.
But this year, many are calling it Taylor's Version, with football fans and Swifties coming together to watch.
Award-winning performer Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce went public with their relationship back in October, and it has been the talk of the town in entertainment and sports spheres ever since.
Swift fans have been seen sporting jerseys with Kelce's number, 87, emblazoned on the back at Eras Tour shows or Taylor Swift's lucky number, 13, in Chiefs' lettering.
Swift, who is known for planting "clues" for the most astute fans to spot, has inspired a lot of clever public messages.
Last week, the Japanese Embassy planted Swift song titles throughout a release shared on X, formerly Twitter, arguing she could get back to the U.S. in time for the Super Bowl after a last-minute performance in Tokyo. (Her attendance at the game was in question, though reports Saturday night signaled her likely arrival stateside.)
But alongside game-day staples of wings and chili, you're almost as likely to see beer and other alcoholic beverages.
Traffic data show a spike in traffic deaths right after the Super Bowl ends, and a substantial spike in fatal crashes involving drunken driving.
Brunswick police urged everyone who plans to watch the game away from home to have a game plan beforehand.
"An OUI isn't something you can just 'Shake Off,'" the department said in one of more than a dozen Swift-inspired song titles cleverly embedded in its safety message. "We don’t want you to have a Cruel Summer because you had Champagne Problems this weekend; when you knew All Too Well that you Should’ve Said No or hired a Getaway Car."
The post included a picture of Brock, a police dog, with a football between his paws and a tiny logo suggesting "The 1" team they're rooting for isn't playing this year: The New England Patriots.
"Members of Brunswick PD don’t want to be Mean, but we should warn you that there is a Blank Space in the form of a cell for anyone who has a Bad Blood alcohol level."
