Pittsburgh, PA – As part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to securing high-profile events across the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) mobilized significant resources and coordinated with federal, state, and local partners to make the 2026 NFL Draft safe and secure for the record breaking 805,000 fans who participated in the festivities.
During the three-day event, the PSP reported no significant incidents and made only one minor arrest. Members provided aviation support and deployed the PSP tactical mounted unit, advanced communication equipment, and additional tactical assets across the area, including at various activities in Point State Park. Troopers investigated several reports of suspicious packages and determined each one was unfounded and posed no threat to the public. Troopers also worked with their safety partners to reunite a lost 8-year-old girl with her family.
PSP’s P25 Land Mobile Radio Cell on Wheels (LMR-COW) was utilized to help strengthen emergency communications and bolster safety for visitors, residents, and first responders throughout the NFL Draft.
The success of the 2026 NFL Draft further demonstrated PSP’s shared commitment with our federal, state, and local public safety partners to ensure large-scale events like this are safe and secure for everyone involved,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “I am extremely proud of the collaborative effort that went into the strategic planning and preparation over the last year, including risk assessments, traffic management coordination, and interagency exercises, to help strengthen our response capabilities. We look forward to building on these efforts as we prepare for several more high-profile events in the upcoming months throughout Pennsylvania.”
PEMA worked with state agencies to provide resources and personnel in support of Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh. At PEMA headquarters in Harrisburg, Director Padfield increased staffing in the Commonwealth Watch and Warning Center (CWWC) to work closely with staff in PennDOT’s Area Command Center to monitor the NFL Draft for its duration. He also deployed agency staff to both the Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) to facilitate timely and accurate communication between the Commonwealth and county and municipal agencies during the event.
For months leading up to the NFL draft, PEMA attended planning meetings with other state and local partners to ensure every detail was addressed and necessary resources were in place to assure a safe and enjoyable experience by all who attended,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Thanks to strong coordination across all levels of government, the event was executed safely and seamlessly. We’re proud of the teamwork that made the NFL Draft a success, and we continue efforts to support our partners for the upcoming large-scale events across the Commonwealth in the months ahead.”
DCNR Rangers were on hand to support security operations, providing their expertise in managing public safety on public lands as thousands of visitors flocked to Point State Park for NFL Experience events during the NFL Draft.
We are grateful for the opportunity to have Point State Park included in the 2026 NFL Draft festivities, allowing thousands of new visitors to see firsthand one of Pittsburgh’s most beautiful places up close,” said Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “Point State Park has long been a gathering place for large events, and our team at DCNR is proud to have contributed to such a fun, safe experience that showcased one of our most visited parks. Thank you to our rangers and to the public safety and law enforcement officials who ensured this momentous occasion went off without any major incidents.”
DCNR completed initial upgrades at Point State Park in January, months ahead of schedule, and Governor Shapiro secured $10 million to support the NFL Draft in the 2025-26 budget.
Other security measures put in place during the NFL Draft included:
- A temporary flight restriction over the NFL Draft locations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
- A security zone on local waterways by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit (MUS) Pittsburgh.
Public safety is the Shapiro Administration’s top priority, as it works to ensure Pennsylvania is ready to host several more high-profile events safely this year that are expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth, including the:
- 2026 PGA Championship in Newtown Square, PA (May 11 – 17)
- Commonwealth Concert Series across Pennsylvania (May – June)
- 2026 FIFA World Cup & Fan Fest in Philadelphia (June 14 – July 19)
- United States’ 250th Anniversary Celebrations (July 4)
- MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia (July 11 – 14)
More information on how the 2026-27 budget helps build a stronger, safer Pennsylvania is available online.
For more information about the Pennsylvania State Police, visit the PSP website.