Keeping 100,000 NASCAR fans safe at Watkins Glen International
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (WETM) – More than 100,000 NASCAR fans are expected to fill the historic raceway at the Glen each day this weekend. As fans focus on Friday’s first day of racing, a major security operation is keeping an eye on everything else.
“Now since 9/11 and everything, obviously security at a mass gathering like this is crucial,” said Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey. “That’s why we invite our state and federal partners to help us out, so nothing like that happens.”
Sheriff Rumsey gave 18 News a look inside the law enforcement Command Center at the track, next to Lot 3. We didn’t record any video inside the main Communication & Dispatch room for security reasons. Sheriff Rumsey says that’s where this office coordinates with more than 30 law enforcement agencies involving hundreds of officers. The center also coordinates with Fire and EMS.
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Sheriff Rumsey says fans can call or text 911 in case of emergencies. We asked the Sheriff what kind of police presence fans can expect to see.
“Will there be special teams with long guns walking around or is that more of a response type of thing?” asked reporter Nick Dubina.
“That’s definitely more of a response type of thing,” said Sheriff Rumsey. “What they’re going to see is patrol cars, they might be from other counties. They will have one or two officers in the cars going around the campsites. They’re there if something bad happens obviously. They’ll respond to it, and it will come through the dispatch center here. They’re also there for help, if campers need something.”
“What are the typical calls that come in? Is there a concern that rises above the rest?” Dubina asked.
“Well, our little county goes from 18, 19 thousand to 100 thousand very quickly this weekend,” the Sheriff said. “The major thing, first and foremost, is to make sure everybody is enjoying themselves responsibly with alcohol. That’s probably the biggest thing. It makes us nervous with the roads and everything like that, making sure people are drinking responsibly, that’s first and foremost.”
“Most of the things we go to, every once in a while, with alcohol there is some aggressive behavior and we go break up some fights, disputes between campsites, I want to say relatively minor things.”
If you need help of any kind, Sheriff Rumsey says you can stop by to speak with someone at the Sheriff’s Station next to Lot 3 at any time of the day. For more information,
For more information, contact the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office or visit the Watkins Glen International website.
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