Following the tragic New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, the Chevron Houston Marathon is ramping up security measures ahead of its annual event, set to take place in just over two weeks.
With safety as a top priority, officials are collaborating with law enforcement and emergency services to ensure the protection of participants, spectators, and staff.
In a statement, the Houston Marathon Committee expressed its commitment to public safety:
“The safety and wellbeing of our participants, stakeholders, and community is our top priority. We work closely in collaboration with local authorities, law enforcement, and emergency services year-round to plan. We truly appreciate the annual support from all city agencies and are grateful that the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security, Larry Satterwhite, has provided this statement for us to share,” said Wade Morehead, Executive Director of the Houston Marathon Committee.
BACKGROUND: Former HPD captain predicts enhance security for Houston Chevron Marathon following New Orleans attack
Larry Satterwhite, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security also provided a detailed statement:
“Like the rest of the nation, our hearts are broken by the senseless tragedy in New Orleans. The City of Houston and all public safety agencies are actively collaborating to ensure the safety and security of our community and future public events such as the Chevron Houston Marathon. In order to keep our public events safe and visitors and participants out of harm’s way, we rely heavily on the trusted relationships we’ve built with our first responder partners. Collaboration is the cornerstone of our success.
“For every event, we assess all potential threats and take proactive steps to mitigate them. By looking across the nation, we continuously seek opportunities to learn and improve, strengthening our ability to protect the Houston public. To ensure maximum coverage, we deploy uniformed personnel and specialized equipment that will be visible throughout the event, ready to assist and protect in every way possible. At the same time, we strategically position plainclothes personnel to enhance our readiness and response, if an unexpected attack or incident occurs.
“However, our greatest partner in public safety is the public itself. We urge everyone to remain vigilant and if you see anything suspicious, please don’t hesitate to say something. Together, we can make a difference because public safety is a shared responsibility. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with all public safety agencies to create a safe environment at each public event and for everyone attending.”
