North Texas officials are ramping up preparations for what they describe as Texas-sized security operations ahead of the FIFA World Cup, now just seven months away.
Dallas emergency management and police briefed city council members Monday on the growing scope of security measures. The 39-day event is expected to bring in international visitors, global media and high-profile dignitaries, requiring extensive coordination across agencies.
"The scale is unlike anything we've hosted here in North Texas," said Travis Houston, deputy director of emergency management and crisis response for the City of Dallas.
Houston said planning involves 25 local public safety agencies, along with state and federal partners. In total, 27 venues and event sites across the area may require public safety coverage.
"Dallas and AT&T are hosting nine matches, which positions us among the highest host city workloads in North America," Houston said.
Fan Fest at Fair Park alone is expected to draw 35,000 people per day. Meanwhile, the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center will serve as the International Broadcast Center -- the central hub for global television, radio and mobile operations -- hosting thousands of media professionals.
"With that come security needs, credentialing, cyber considerations, infrastructure planning needs, escort and dignitary and other VVIP presence," Houston said.
The FBI will lead a Joint Operations Center to coordinate between federal, state and local agencies.
Dallas police are developing an operations and emergency action plan, which will continue to evolve with upcoming events such as the team draw in December, base camp selections and ongoing national and international developments.
"What are we doing currently to bring infrastructure, to address crowd control?" asked Councilmember Jesse Moreno of District 2.
"It is a concern of ours with the influx of people and these entertainment districts and how we protect that," said Assistant Chief Mark Villarreal of the Dallas Police Department. "But I can guarantee we'll have a robust plan in place to address pedestrian safety."