Updated 11:58 p.m. Feb. 9.
State College police on Sunday night ordered the dispersal of a large crowd that gathered in the Beaver Canyon area downtown following the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
East Beaver Avenue was closed at South Pugh Street from about 10:40 p.m. until about 11:45 p.m. after the crowd was cleared from the road.
The message from Chief John Gardner, sent via Penn State alert system, warned that the gathering was an “unlawful assembly” and those who refused to leave could face misdemeanor or summary charges for obstructing public passages and failure to disperse.
“Persons in the area may also be subject to other police action including the use of kinetic energy projectiles and chemical agents, which include: tear gas, CN, CS, pepper balls, pepper spray or OC,” Gardner wrote. “Use of these devices could result in serious injury.
“We would greatly appreciate and insist on your cooperation in complying with this lawful order to disperse and move off the roadway.”
The crowd of mostly Penn State students poured into East Beaver Avenue between McAllister and Hiester streets soon after the Eagles’ 40-22 win for their first Super Bowl title since 2018 and second in franchise history.
A police presence was on hand before the game ended in anticipation of a disturbance and grew heavier as the crowd filled the street.
PennDOT advised motorists of a “traffic disruption” on East Beaver Avenue at 10:43 p.m.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
