Police to enhance security for Cotton Bowl and final Cowboys game
ARLINGTON, Texas - Security is top of mind for Arlington police as the city prepares to host the Dallas Cowboys’ final game this weekend and the Cotton Bowl next week.
In light of the incident in New Orleans, the Arlington Police Department said it has spent the past few days meeting with city management, stadium leadership and the Cotton Bowl committee to review its safety plan.
What We Know: The Dallas Cowboys host the Washington Commanders on Sunday at noon.
The Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes then play next Friday evening in the College Football Semifinals.
AT&T Stadium in Arlington
Police said they are not aware of any threats involving either game at AT&T Stadium, but they aren't taking any chances.
Arlington PD has a regular unit that works year-around with vendors, local, state, and federal partners to develop safety plans for large-scale events that the city hosts.
The unit regularly reviews its safety plan and looks at incidents from other parts of the country, like what happened in New Orleans on New Year's Day, to see if any adjustments should be made.
Deputy Chief Leo Daniels said the public will see an increased police presence at both of AT&T Stadium's upcoming events.
"We will be evaluating our areas where we typically see high-volumes of pedestrians making their ways to and from the stadium as they move around and will adjust resources where necessary for safety and improved efficiency," he said.
What We Don’t Know: Police would not give any specific details about security enhancements or the tactical plan.
New pictures show New Orleans terror suspect placing explosives ahead of deadly bloodbath
The FBI has released eerie surveillance images showing 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar just about an hour before the deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
The Backstory: Investigators are still combing through hours of security video and more than 400 tips as they search for a motive in the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans.
Officials said 42-year-old Houston resident Shamsud-Din Jabbar used a rented pickup truck to plow through a crowd on Bourbon Street.
Dozens of people were injured, and at least 15 have died, including the suspect.
Authorities said they recovered bomb-making materials from the suspect’s home, and the FBI is currently reviewing social media videos that suggest the U.S. Army veteran originally intended to harm his family.
New Orleans truck attack: Houston suspect Shamsud-Din Jabbar believed to have acted alone
The Houston man who drove a truck down New Orleans’ Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, killing more than a dozen people, is now believed to have acted alone, the FBI says.
The FBI now believes he acted alone and said he declared his support for ISIS on social media.
What’s Next: Police are asking the public to be aware of what’s happening around them.
"People are seeing things that we can’t possibly see. We are constantly evaluating. We work with our federal partners as well as our local fusion centers and all of our intelligence agencies. And even with all of that, we still need the help of the public," said Lt. Leo Daniels from the Arlington Police Department.
Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to call 911.