Authorities said they are not aware of any credible threats of terrorism or violence tied to the week of NFL Draft events in Pittsburgh.
Public safety officials on Friday outlined preparations for the draft, including an increased police and EMS presence across the city.
The FBI will deploy hundreds of agents, analysts and support personnel throughout the region during draft week, officials said, emphasizing a coordinated security effort to protect residents and visitors.
“I just want to reassure the citizens of Western Pennsylvania that you are well-served by a coordinated security effort with this draft,” said Richard Evanchec, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Pittsburgh Field Office.
Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Adam Ameel said there will be a fully-staffed emergency operations center during the NFL Draft.
“A meteorologist will be in the center to give us real-time analysis of the weather that’s coming,” he said.
Several shelter areas have been identified inside and outside of the draft footprint so people can be directed inside safely if needed, he said. The locations of those are not being released at this time for safety reasons, according to Ameel.
His top piece of advice for fans? Plan ahead.
“Expect there to be significant traffic delays,” Ameel said.
Increasing workforce
Pittsburgh Police Chief of Staff Anthony Palermo said he can’t reveal the city’s specific safety plans or number of officers. However, he said there will be an increased law enforcement presence both within and outside of the draft footprint.
The NFL Draft will span the North Shore and Point State Park, and fans will be able to walk back and forth via the Roberto Clemente Bridge.
When fans enter the draft experience, Palermo said they should expect bag screenings and restricted items. Specifics will be released by the NFL in coming days.
“Security procedures similar to those on a Steeler game day will be in place,” he said.
Assistant EMS Chief Jen McDermott-Grubb assured Pittsburghers Friday that the NFL Draft will not disrupt normal emergency and public safety services across the city.
“Day-to-day operations will be fully supported — and all event-related staffing will be in addition to regular citywide coverage,” she said.
Mutual aid partners across the region will come into the city to support efforts, according to McDermott-Grubb. Specific partners, aside from Allegheny Health Network and UPMC, as well as specific staffing numbers were not publicly disclosed by officials.
Working with AHN and UPMC will allow for “enhanced medical support and rapid response capabilities,” she said.
“Routine and event-specific medical needs will be addressed expeditiously,” McDermott-Grubb said.
Pittsburgh EMS will deploy bicycle and motorcycle units to navigate closed roads and alternate routes during the draft, she said.
McDermott-Grubb encouraged fans to prepare to experience Pittsburgh spring, which she likened to experiencing “four seasons in a single afternoon.”
“Come prepared,” she said. “Stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes and clothing.”
Months of collaboration
The FBI has served as the lead federal coordinating agency regarding the safety of the NFL Draft over the past year, according to Evanchec. They’ve been in touch with state, local and other federal partners, as well as gone to other special event venues to study.
Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Sheldon Williams said partnership has been paramount leading up to the NFL Draft.
“There’s no way that Pittsburgh could ever take on this huge undertaking by itself,” he said.
Ameel said planning has been underway since March 2025. That planning included speaking with cities that hosted the draft in the past to see what went well and what went wrong in terms of emergency services.
Evanchec said the fans coming to the draft and local citizens will be the FBI’s greatest asset, urging people to say something if they see something amiss.
“If there is someone out there who is of concern or posting comments or planning some type of event here targeting the draft, we certainly want to be aware of that,” he said. “Don’t assume something is innocent; we have to assume that what we hear and see may have a nefarious purpose.
“Let us be the ones to figure out if there’s something really there — what we don’t want to happen is there be an incident, and we go back and we realize that we knew about it.”