ST. LOUIS — Arch Madness at Enterprise Center and St. Louis CITY SC's home opener are finally here.
Big crowds are expected to hit the streets of downtown for the two big events.
"I'm very excited, go Murray State," said Arch Madness fan Reagan Birkner.
Police know with tens of thousands trekking to town for the long-awaited events, so too will lurking criminals.
Red Bud, Illinois resident Reagan Birkner and her family are ready to check out the annual Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at Enterprise Center.
"I can't say that I'm coming here nervous," said Birkner.
"Nervous" or not St. Louis police are still putting their beefed-up safety plan in action.
It comes after a deadly shooting of a man in broad daylight along busy north Tucker on Monday.
And, nearly two weeks ago, Tennessee teen Janae Edmondson was critically injured after she was struck by a reckless driver while she and her family were in town for a volleyball tournament.
"I'm very sad by it because I travel the country a lot and I go to big cities and they're safe," said Arch Madness fan Todd Birkner.
In an effort to keep everyone safe during Arch Madness and the inaugural soccer match, you can expect to see more police officers.
"Extra patrols will be in the area and both venues will be using off-duty personnel and working secondary security," Captain Christi Marks said on Wednesday.
"That makes me feel much better. I like having them around. It just gives you a sense of security," said Reagan Birkner.
After a rash of recent car break-ins downtown, police also remind fans to do everything you can to protect your car, and, remember this:
"Leave your firearms at home, as these venues don't allow them inside," added Captain Marks.
Todd Mitchell, the Vice-President and General Manager of Enterprise Center and Stifel Theatre says "they met with St. Louis police, the Missouri Valley Conference and St. Louis City SC to "ensure we have the appropriate public safety presence to successfully manage the large crowds expected for the basketball tournament, two sold-out events at Stifel Theatre and the home opener for St. Louis City SC this weekend. We look forward to safely hosting tens of thousands of fans between today and Sunday."