Oklahoma – In a move to elevate public safety standards across the state, Governor Kevin Stitt and Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton have announced the launch of the Secure Oklahoma N.O.W. Initiative. The program, a first-of-its-kind statewide safety framework, is designed to ensure coordinated, proactive protection at large public events in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is leading the nation in securing our communities and keeping our residents safe,” Governor Stitt said during the announcement. “My administration has focused on making Oklahoma a Top 10 state in public safety, and we’re making that happen.
Whether it’s school safety, illegal immigration, or the security of our biggest public events, we are taking action to protect Oklahomans and give law enforcement the tools and support they need.”
The initiative is guided by the Secure Oklahoma N.O.W. Advisory Council, co-led by Secretary Tricia Everest and Commissioner Tipton. At the heart of the program is a newly developed comprehensive event safety guide, which establishes a uniform security standard for events such as concerts, parades, festivals, and sports games.
The guide promotes pre-event threat assessments, improved communication among agencies, and synchronized efforts across law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management.
“Today we’re saying, ‘Not On Our Watch,’” said Tipton. “Oklahoma is a hub for major events—from Thunder games to statewide festivals—and we are committed to keeping every attendee safe. This initiative ensures that our agencies are aligned, trained, and ready to respond to any threat.”
Key components of the Secure Oklahoma N.O.W. Initiative include:
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Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center: Conducts pre-event threat assessments statewide.
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Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security: Supports interagency coordination and emergency communication planning.
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Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Drone Response Team: Deployed to detect and neutralize suspicious drone activity at high-attendance venues.
The initiative builds upon Governor Stitt’s broader public safety agenda, which includes:
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ProtectOK App: A statewide platform for reporting suspicious behavior and threats.
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Adopt-A-School Program: Highway Patrol troopers spend time in schools to support School Resource Officers and engage with students.
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Operation Guardian: A 2024 program addressing illegal immigration and border security concerns.
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Unified Active Shooter Training: Standardized response training for law enforcement across the state.
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School Threat Assessments: In-depth evaluations at public and private schools to bolster security.
Governor Stitt is urging police, fire, and emergency management agencies statewide to adopt the best practices outlined in the Secure Oklahoma N.O.W. guide, reinforcing Oklahoma’s commitment to public safety, prevention, and preparedness.
