Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

LEOs on High Alert in Houston as Super Bowl Approaches

With tens of thousands of visitors flooding to Houston for Super Bowl LI and protests already surfacing across the city, local and federal law enforcement officers said Tuesday they will remain on high alert to ensure the week-long events go off safely.

February 1, 2017
2 min to read


With tens of thousands of visitors flooding to Houston for Super Bowl LI and protests already surfacing across the city, local and federal law enforcement officers said Tuesday they will remain on high alert to ensure the week-long events go off safely, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Officials briefed the media Tuesday on the security efforts leading up to the championship football game, including plans to enact a no-fly zone over NRG Stadium, to encircle the building with concrete blockades and to carefully monitor their surroundings.

Ad Loading...

More than 40 local and federal agencies are involved, and the National Football League has hired 4,000 private security personnel to assist those efforts, officials said.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said the city has taken a slew of precautions to keep residents safe and warned that "johns" will be arrested as part of crackdown on human trafficking.

Despite the high-security presence, local law enforcement has encountered mostly petty thefts and counterfeiting, though police have rescued three women trafficking victims, he said.

With planned protests mounting in the coming days, Acevedo sent a message to outside protesters who may try to move into the city.

"We have a really long history of having really responsible activists in our community that have a long-standing relationship with the Houston Police Department," he said. "To those who might want to come in from outside to cause problems in Houston, know this: You'll be greatly outnumbered by activists that care about their message and don't want their protests ... to be hijacked by anyone coming to cause problems."

Ad Loading...

Though the Super Bowl requires a massive security presence, neither Houston PD nor the Harris County Sheriff's Office expects any reduction in services to the rest of the region.

More Patrol

Security officer wearing an earpiece uses a handheld two-way radio at an outdoor event, with PositionPTT push-to-talk radio accessories and earpiece shown alongside for professional communications.
PatrolJuly 28, 2026

PositionPTT & Pryme Combine Communication Technologies to Deliver Distracted Driving Compliance

Pryme Radio Accessories and hardware/software maker PositionPTT join forces to advance hands-free communications and ensure Department of Transportation compliance using an integrated system of push-to-talk platforms, devices, and audio equipment.

Read More →
Graphic announcing $25 million in law enforcement grants and resources over a photo of the U.S. Department of Justice headquarters in Washington, D.C., with large blue-and-white headline text overlaying the building.
PatrolJuly 23, 2026

Justice Department Releases $25M in Law Enforcement Grants & Resources

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has just released $25 million in new grant Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to support law enforcement. The recently released NOFOs include the Safer Outcomes: Enhancing Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Program and other grant programs.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips YouTube thumbnail asking, “What qualifies a device as rugged or fully rugged?” featuring a Panasonic Toughbook laptop on a dark street background.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 23, 2026

What Makes a Laptop Rugged or Fully Rugged?

What separates a rugged laptop from a fully rugged one? In this video, two Panasonic Connect experts explain the military testing, IP ratings, durability standards, and real-world features that help law enforcement officers rely on their computers in any environment.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Leadership update graphic featuring Team Wendy President Vasilios Brachos standing in front of a display of protective helmets, with POLICE Law Enforcement Solutions branding and text announcing his appointment as company president.
PatrolJuly 22, 2026

Avon Technologies Appoints Vasilios Brachos as Team Wendy President

Longtime ballistic helmet leader Vasilios Brachos has been selected to guide the next chapter of protection, innovation, and growth at Team Wendy.

Read More →
BRINC fundraising announcement graphic featuring a response drone in flight, highlighting a $125 million funding round to expand 911 response drones for police and fire stations, led by Motorola Solutions Ventures with additional investors.
PatrolJuly 16, 2026

Brinc Raises $125M to Put a 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

The latest round of funding, $125 million, can help fuel Brinc’s mission to deploy 911-response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States.

Read More →
POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips video series graphic featuring a Garmont Tactical Contact Collection duty boot against a police vehicle with flashing lights. Includes “Watch Now” callout for the video series.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJuly 9, 2026

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement

Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Benchmade Bailout folding knife with a bronze tanto blade, taiga green handle, and orange accents displayed open against a textured black background, highlighting its lightweight tactical design.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout

Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.

Read More →
Composite image of ADEPT's Nova Titanium tactical helmet, showing front and side views alongside a soldier wearing the helmet in the field, highlighting lightweight ballistic protection for military and tactical applications.
PatrolJuly 9, 2026

Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight

Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.

Read More →
Two healthcare professionals model 5.11 medical scrubs—one in gray and one in blue—against a blurred hospital background, highlighting the brand’s professional apparel for medical workers.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals

The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Close-up of a black SOG Seal FX knife featuring a commemorative 250th anniversary engraving on the blade, displayed on an American flag to honor the United States' semiquincentennial.
PatrolJuly 2, 2026

SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade

SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Read More →