Forces secure area

Maloney, at Gillette with the Middlesex County Sheriff's Department, had to separate himself from the bombast that crackled around him. In his mind, he was not lucky to be dispatched to the Patriots' game against the Colts last night, the opening game of the NFL season, and all the pageantry that came with it.

"I didn't really look at it that way," Maloney said. "I was called here to lend some assistance, so I'm going to try to lend some assistance."

Maloney was one of the many law enforcement officials on hand for heightened security. Along with the usual complement of local police, 34 SWAT members of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council helped keep patrons safe, providing a presence most games do not receive.

"And [the machine guns are] very real," said Chief Edward Merrick of the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council.

Fans took notice of the officers, clad in all black. And that was the point. For big events at Gillette Stadium, which last night's opener certainly qualified as, MLEC is asked to participate in the security effort. The council assisted security during last season's playoff games at Gillette.

While providing a presence, the MLEC also checked VIP credentials and inspected cars entering the complex.

Despite their intimidating appearance, the MLEC officers did little to detract from the festive atmosphere.

"These times we live in, that has to be acceptable for us to handle," said Brian McCarthy of Braintree. "I feel safer. After 9/11, it doesn't bother me."

"We're here to give a high-profile SWAT presence," said Russ Jenkins, a unit commander with MLEC. "In the post 9/11 world, you've got to be careful."

And the fans understood that. None of the officers had any stories of fans complaining. In fact, the opposite was true.

"A lot of people go by and yell, `Thank you' or `God Bless America,' " Merrick said. "They're happy to see police officers with that kind of weaponry."

People have come to expect it.

"Five years ago," Jenkins said, "people would see that and say, `What the heck?' "

Though the MLEC wants to send a strong message. It also wants to make sure the public enjoys itself.

"What we're trying to do is blend in," Jenkins said. "We have these uniforms and this weaponry, but we're not trying to crimp anybody's style. We don't want to hurt the celebration, we want to make sure it goes off."

And it doesn't hurt that they get to experience some of the fun, too. While the officers shared the focus of Maloney, they also couldn't help but be aware of the party surrounding them.

"I got a look at -- what's his name? -- Toby Keith for a little bit," Merrick said, before adding, "It would have been looking a lot better if it had been Jessica Simpson."