RALEIGH -- As the second week of competition gets underway at the U.S. Open Championships, it is clear the partnership between Alcohol Law Enforcement and the State Bureau of Investigation has been much better than "par."
“This event has allowed agents from these two incredibly professional law enforcement agencies to once again partner in the execution of a very complex security operations plan,” stated Gregory K. Baker, DPS Law Enforcement Commissioner. “For many years and at multiple high profile events, these agencies have teamed up to provide critical security services. The success of this operation thus far, demonstrates to the public safety community and North Carolinians the many benefits of this partnership.”
The United States Golf Association (USGA) requested that the Department of Public Safety provide the overall security plan for the U.S. Open Championships. As part of the plan, ALE and SBI special agents were tasked with developing the on course security plan. The two agencies, along with the State Highway Patrol, Emergency Management, Adult Correction and many other federal, state and local agencies worked for more than a year to develop the security and transportation plan now in place.
The primary focus of the security plan is the safety of the public and of the players. ALE and SBI agents are each trained in dignitary protection and are assigned to provide security for high profile players, their families and any other dignitaries which arrive at the championships. The special agents are also assigned to on course security and providing multi-layered perimeter security around the course.
“Spectators and players will notice ALE and SBI agents paired together throughout the course complemented by troopers within the secure area, as well as on the many roadways leading into the event area,” added Baker. “There is also a layer of security that is unseen.”
Beginning in 2003 with the Presidential visit to the “First Flight Centennial Celebration” in Kitty Hawk, ALE and SBI agents have worked together developing security plans for high profile major events across North Carolina. These events include governor inaugurations and balls, the “Tall Ships Celebration” in Morehead City, past U.S. Open championships in 2005 and 2007 and most recently the Democratic National Convention (DNC) held in Charlotte.
“The U.S. Open is one of the highest profile sporting events to occur in North Carolina,” ALE Assistant Director Ken Pike said. “We take security for this event very seriously.”
DPS employs its many strong partnerships on the federal, state and local levels to provide seamless, comprehensive security support for events of this magnitude. DPS is working in coordination with Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Postal Service (USPS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Marshals (USMS), U.S. Postal inspectors, local law enforcement, first responders and local emergency management personnel. These agencies, as well as the USGA, other state and local agencies, private groups and individuals, are working together to provide the most professional services possible.
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Contact: Pamela Walker
Phone: 910-687-6532