3 Security Challenges Houston Will Face Hosting the World Series

3 Security Challenges Houston Will Face Hosting the World Series

Houston Police, federal security agencies and surrounding security professionals will have to overcome challenges to keep Minute Maid Park safe and secure.

For the first time since 2005, Houston, Texas will be hosting the World Series. While local police have not recently worked at securing World Series games, they have since hosted the American League Championship, Super Bowl and the Final Four. These events have prepared them for this new challenge, Executive Assistant Chief Matt Slinkard said.

"You can always learn something from each and every major event that you host," Slinkard told reporters during a press conference about World Series security.

There are three challenges that Houston police, security officials and federal agencies will have to overcome to keep fans safe and secure Minute Maid Park, which will host games three and four of the series. Here's how they are tackling each:

New Technology

Slinkard said that the primary difference between the 2005 World Series hosted by Houston and the one that will be hosted in 2017 is the technology. Social media will play a much more important role in communicating with the public than it did 12 year ago, he said.

In addition to social media, Houston police will be working with updated security systems, Emergency Command Centers and more sophisticated ways of communicating with each agency that will help to patrol the ball park.

"Really, our threat evaluation and our intelligence gathering from a public safety/law enforcement perspective has gotten much more robust and our partnership with other agencies is much better. How we communicate across agency lines, I think that was evident during the Super Bowl and our Final Four," Slinkard said. “We will have resources in place, both seen and unseen."

Traffic and Mobility

When one thinks Houston, they think traffic. Which is why one of the biggest challenges Houston will have to overcome is the ease of egress for fans at and around the ball park on the days of the games. Slinkard said that hosting the ALCS helped officers identify some "pinch points" of traffic around Minute Maid Park.

Drivers can expect the same type of road closures around the stadium that they experienced during the championship series.

Ready For Anything

In addition to the obvious security zones, police will need to be ready for anything. Just a few weeks ago, police were not as concerned with threats from high places, but following the Las Vegas Shooting at a country music concert, police have been seen surveilling and placing snipers at the roofs of ball parks to ensure the safety of the fans inside.

Security officials will need to be ready for any and all threats including mass shootings, bomb threats and vehicle attacks due to the current events around the world. So far, Houston PD has done a great job at addressing these threats head on and assuming a plan of action for each in both a preventative and after-the-fact way.

"We will have plenty of resources on hand, and we'll have resources both seen and unseen to protect the public and ensure a safe environment as people go to the events," Slinkard said.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Nearly Half of Companies Exclude Cybersecurity Teams When Developing, Onboarding and Implementing AI Solutions

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame. 3