Safety forces say they’re ready for World Cup in one week

SEATTLE — With the first World Cup match in Seattle just one week from today, a coalition of federal, state, county, and local agencies says final security preparations are in place to keep fans and visitors safe during matches, festivals, and watch parties.

Officials described the effort as an unprecedented undertaking that has been years in the making, with intensified planning over the last two years. They said Seattle has handled major events before, including a Super Bowl parade and MLB’s All-Star Week, but the World Cup’s scale and duration present a new challenge.

RELATED | Seattle mayor explains decision to turn on CCTV cameras for World Cup: ‘Credible threat’

“We’re here to discuss the most complex, the largest sporting event not only in this nation’s history but in the history of the world,” said U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Trent Heinrichs, who is serving as the federal coordinator for the World Cup in Seattle.

Heinrichs said fans should expect heightened screening and security measures around venues and events.

“They’re going to see magnetometers, they’re going to see canines, they’re going to see explosive ordnance detection, there’s going to be robust air security. We’re going to have temporary flight restrictions in place,” Heinrichs said.

He said the Secret Service’s role includes supporting state and local partners in addition to protecting heads of state and government who may attend games.

“We haven’t dealt with anything of this size, but the collaboration gives me comfort,” said King County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Jeff Flohr.

The security footprint spans multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, which will patrol waterways and escort ferries on match days, and FEMA, which has allocated $19 million to defend against unauthorized and dangerous drones.

“We’ve trained and rehearsed a range of scenarios, and we have identified staging areas in the event that we need to have life-saving teams come into this area,” said the FEMA Region 10 Response Division director during a news briefing on the Seattle Waterfront.

SEE ALSO | City leaders say Seattle ready for World Cup, despite concerns with surveillance, drones

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Seattle asks anyone who observes unsafe or improper use of a drone to please report it to the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.

The Seattle Police Department will run incident command and control throughout the event.

“There’s going to be a very strong police presence at both the stadium area as well as all of our fan celebration sites,” said SPD Capt. Dan Nelson.

Nelson said officers will be easy to spot in special neon green shirts and will be supported by officers from 11 different police departments. He also addressed the decision to activate CCTV cameras during the World Cup, a reversal by Seattle’s mayor Katie Wilson after she learned of “general but credible threats” to safety and security.

“We always support Mayor Wilson’s decision. I think it is a good idea. You know, major events have a lot of associated dangers with them because, unfortunately, we do have bad actors in the community who are looking to use large-scale crowd gatherings to further their own cause,” Nelson said.

Officials said the World Cup will affect more than just ticket holders.

On the six match days at Seattle Stadium, planners expect up to 65,000 people inside the stadium and another 30,000 outside at fan festivals and watch parties.

The King County Sheriff’s Office and Seattle police urged the public to manage expectations and plan for congestion, including street closures around the stadium on game days. Law enforcement and local and state leaders are encouraging fans, visitors, downtown residents, and workers to use transit and, if possible, work from home.

Extra bus routes and additional light-rail runs have been added, along with a free waterfront shuttle. The King County Sheriff’s Office said it will use two helicopters to patrol and will place deputies on light rail and Sound Transit trains, along with a heavy police presence in the area.

Officials also emphasized two key requests for the public: report suspicious activity and have fun.