HOUSTON (WBAP/KLIF) – Houston’s mayor says the city is ready for thousands of visitors for the World Series, even as they continue to rebuild from Hurricane Harvey.
Sylvester Turner held a news conference Thursday, along with Police Chief Art Acevedo, harris county Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and others.
Turner told reporters that because Houston has hosted national sports events before, they are prepared. “We started out the year hosting the Super Bowl,” said Turner. “And so we’re used to addressing any accompanying increase in criminal activity.”
The mayor says all agencies will be able to stay in constant communication as games and related events take place. He says having all agencies under one roof increases effectiveness and response times.
Chief Acevedo says more officers will be on the streets, both in uniform and in plain clothes. He also urged everyone to pay close attention to their surroundings, and to report anything suspicious to law enforcement. “I always like to say ‘Treat a crowded area like you would an airport’” Acevedo says. “What you would consider suspicious in an airport, you should consider suspicious in a public place over the next few days.”
Some estimates are that as many as 500,000 visitors will come to the Bayou City during the three game homestand. That could pump millions of dollars into local business that can help with recovery efforts as well.
Robyn Geske, KLIF/WBAP, Copyright © 2017
