Panthers-Falcons game declared an ‘extraordinary event’

Carolina Panthers fans headed to Sunday’s game against Atlanta can once again expect to see heightened security near Bank of America Stadium.

The city of Charlotte has declared the Panthers-Falcons game an extraordinary event, which gives officers more authority to search fans near the stadium and in surrounding parking lots.

The city has not in past years typically declared Panthers games or other BofA Stadium events as extraordinary events. But police efforts have been stepped up in recent weeks following the terrorist attacks in Paris. The Panthers’ Nov. 22 home game versus Washington and last weekend’s ACC Championship game were both declared extraordinary events.

Police leaders have said that expanded police powers for events may become the new normal.

Sunday’s Panthers game kicks off at 1 p.m.

This story was originally published December 11, 2015 at 2:05 PM with the headline "Panthers-Falcons game declared an ‘extraordinary event’."