Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers mobilized 150 of the state’s National Guard members as the Milwaukee Bucks were poised to win the NBA championship Tuesday night, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The troops are on hand in the city to help local officials with “traffic control, vaccination efforts on-site, and public safety efforts relating to the NBA finals,” Wisconsin National Guard spokesman Maj. Joe Trovato said, according to the newspaper.
Tens of thousands of revelers had flooded the city’s Deer District to watch Game 6 of the NBA Finals, as the Bucks maintained a 3-2 edge in the series.
Specialized units were deployed to monitor the revelers outside the packed basketball arena, according to the article.
“Revelers will see officers on horseback, motorcycles and bicycles, and securing the area with police dogs trained in sniffing out drugs and apprehending people,” the department reportedly said in a statement.
“The department’s hazard devices unit, whose members deal with potential bombs, chemicals and other hazards, and its Tactical Enforcement Unit whose members are trained in hostage negotiations and executing high-risk search warrants among other duties, also will be at the ready.”
The Bucks have not won the NBA title since 1971.
A Game 7 would be held in Phoenix, if necessary.