Employees from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been preparing for over a year-and-a-half to ensure the smooth execution of the Feb. 11 Super Bowl in Las Vegas. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas visited the city this week to review assessments with city and local officials.
"@DHSgov, alongside our federal, state, and local partners, is working to ensure that the 65,000 people attending #SuperBowlLVIII and the millions of people gathering together and enjoying the game across the country are all safe," said Mayorkas, according to X. "There are no known, credible, specific threats to the Super Bowl or to Las Vegas at this time – but we are vigilant, and we are prepared."
A news release from DHS revealed that 385 department employees are stationed within the city, as they hold primary responsibility for Super Bowl security. The department's duties extend beyond providing intelligence analysis and threat assessments; they also include offering venue, cyber, air security and infrastructure security assessments, along with chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive detection technologies.
Secretary Mayorkas said, "The Department of Homeland Security, alongside our federal, state, and local partners, is working to ensure that the 65,000 people attending Super Bowl LVIII and the millions of people gathering together and enjoying the game across the country are all safe." He added that, while there are currently no known credible specific threats to the Super Bowl or Las Vegas at this time – vigilance and preparedness remain key.
According to a media release, U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Karon Ransom is leading the DHS team. Ransom's team comprises representatives from various DHS entities and other federal agencies. Gonzalo Cordova, from Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), serves as an alternate deputy federal coordinator, while Karen Burke from Transportation Security Administration (TSA), acts as deputy federal coordinator.
Ransom commented on their collective efforts saying, "Securing the Super Bowl requires the combined expertise and resources of local, state, and federal law enforcement and public safety agencies." She further added that their joint goal is "to ensure a safe event for fans, teams, event staff, and the public."
