Houston is gearing up for a touchdown of events as the city prepares to play host to the throngs of enthusiasts descending for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. Kicking off today, the spirited weekend promises a lineup of activities and top-tier gridiron action culminating with the highly-anticipated showdown on Monday, January 8.
Given the expected influx of fans, safety is the top play in the city's game plan. Houston's Police Chief Troy Finner expressed his thanks to the myriad of safety partners working in unison, "I want to thank all our public safety partners, local, regional, state, and federal. We are working together to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved," said Finner in a statement obtained by the City of Houston's press release. While fans enjoy the festivities, they're encouraged to keep an eye out, remembering the nationwide safety adage, "if you see something, say something."
Visitors can expect to see a strong uniformed presence throughout the city's bustling event spaces, with officers stationed to assist with traffic control and general security. The Chief assures, though, that many other officers might go unnoticed while diligently working behind the scenes to ensure public safety.
For those seeking help during non-emergencies, dialing (713) 884-3131 connects to non-emergency police services, while emergencies should be directed to 911. The City has also rolled out a timely approach for communicating potential hazards and important reminders via the Everbridge mass notification system, available to visitors and locals alike. People attending the events are encouraged to sign up for these alerts by texting "CFPHouston" to 888-777, although standard text messaging rates might apply, according to the City's recent press release.
