“Sadly, Oklahomans are familiar with the devastating impact terrorists can have on our communities. In the wake of the attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, it’s our responsibility to stay vigilant and prepared,” said Governor Stitt. “The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety will bring together experts from law enforcement, emergency management, and public safety to develop a comprehensive guide to protect our high-value targets and major events, ensuring we are always one step ahead.”

Key Highlights of the Executive Order:

• The Secure Oklahoma N.O.W. Advisory Council will include 12 members representing diverse expertise, including public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, and counterterrorism.
• The Advisory Council will create and publish a written guide of minimum security and safety protocols for use by public and private stakeholders responsible for managing large-scale events.
• The Advisory Council is empowered to consult with organizations, government entities, and experts to ensure the guide reflects best practices and emerging strategies in public safety.
• The first edition of the guide will be published and submitted by May 30, 2025, with updates made at least annually.

“Ensuring the safety of Oklahomans at large-scale public events is a top priority,” said Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton. “The formation of this advisory council marks an important step in strengthening and streamlining our state’s security measures. By bringing together experts and stakeholders, we will develop proactive, effective recommendations to safeguard eventgoers and our communities. Oklahomans deserve to enjoy events in our state without worrying about safety and security.”

The Advisory Council will be chaired by the Commissioner of Public Safety, Tim Tipton, or his designee, and the Initiative will be under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety, Tricia Everest. Additional members include representatives from state and local law enforcement, university police, fire services, emergency management, and counterterrorism intelligence.

“In our world today, it’s more important than ever to make sure our law enforcement is prepared for any situation,” said Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest. “We have been able to mitigate multiple threats with our effective partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement. I appreciate the Governor’s efforts to streamline those partnerships and ensure Oklahomans are safe regardless of the situation.”

The guide will serve as an industry-standard resource to enhance security planning and implementation for large events and high-risk sites across Oklahoma. The Department of Public Safety, in coordination with the Advisory Commission, will ensure wide distribution of the guide to relevant stakeholders.

Read Executive Order 2025-02 in full here.