DETROIT – Safety is top of mind ahead of the NFL draft as hundreds of thousands of people descend on Detroit for the three-day event.
Local 4 learned that Detroit police would have some serious help ensuring everything runs smoothly from April 25-27. The team is a who’s who of law enforcement, including sheriff’s deputies from Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, federal teams from the FBI, ATF, and Homeland Security, and even some officers from across the border.
They say they will all work together, and the focus goes beyond the city. The Detroit Fire Department will also have four stationary medical tents, six ambulances, and fire inspectors patrolling around the draft’s footprint.
It’s a show of strength ahead of next week’s massive event, which is expected to hold 300,000-400,000 people for the three-day event.
And the clock is ticking to make sure everything is ready to go.
“We are confident in our plan, which is built on our experiences in managing large crowds such as Beyonce and Taylor Swift concerts to the fireworks and the Detroit Lions,” said Detroit Police Chief James White. “Basically, all of the things that we did and do routinely, like the Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
With a checklist of big events that the city of Detroit regularly holds and that Detroit police routinely secures, next week will be something totally different.
The NFL draft will run for several days, and league attractions span much of downtown. White said the solicited band of law officials would pack the draft area to ensure you and your family would be safe.
“With regards to the NFL, we have flown in K9 teams from across the country,” said Jim Deir from ATF. “Our explosive accelerant has the Michigan ATF SRT tactical team on standby for this event.”
No weapons will be allowed as cameras will be monitoring
Cameras are monitoring every inch of downtown, and Homeland Security is on the lookout for threats.
After more than a year of planning, White says they are ready.
“We are excited for our city, and we are on an international stage, and I am excited for the city of Detroit to show the world that we are prepared with both law enforcement and community to have a safe and welcoming event.”
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