Maintaining the safety of 100,000 NASCAR spectators at Watkins Glen International

Watkins Glen, New York – This weekend, more than 100,000 NASCAR enthusiasts are anticipated to visit the historic raceway at the Glen every day. A significant security effort is monitoring everything else while spectators concentrate on Friday’s opening day of racing.

According to Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey, “Security at a mass gathering like this is obviously crucial now that 9/11 and everything has happened.” We want our federal and state allies to assist us because of this to ensure that nothing similar occurs.

Sheriff Rumsey provided 18 News with an inside look at the law enforcement command center located adjacent to Lot 3 at the track. For security considerations, we didn’t take any video footage inside the main Communication & Dispatch room. According to Sheriff Rumsey, hundreds of officers from more than 30 law enforcement agencies are coordinated there by this office. Additionally, the center works with EMS and Fire.

In the event of an emergency, fans can text or phone 911, according to Sheriff Rumsey. We asked the sheriff about the kind of police presence that the public should anticipate.

“Will there be response-oriented things like that, or will there be special teams with long guns walking around?” inquired Nick Dubina, a reporter.

Sheriff Rumsey stated, “That’s definitely more of a response type of thing.” “They’re going to see patrol cars, which may come from different counties.” While circling the campsites in the cars will be one or two officers. Obviously, they are there in case something terrible occurs. It will go through this dispatch center and they will respond to it. In addition, they are available to assist campers with any needs.

What kinds of calls do you usually receive? Is there one issue that takes precedence above all others? Dubina enquired.

The sheriff remarked, “Well, our little county goes from 18, 19 thousand to 100 thousand very quickly this weekend.” “The most important thing is to make sure that everyone is using alcohol responsibly and having fun. I think that’s the most important thing. First and foremost, it makes us anxious about the highways and other related issues. We want to make sure that people are drinking sensibly.

“Most of the events we attend occasionally involve alcohol and aggressive behavior. We go break up fights and disputes between campsites, to name a few minor issues.”

Sheriff Rumsey says you can talk to someone at the Sheriff’s Station next to Lot 3 at any time of day if you need any kind of assistance.