Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has taken a proactive stance to bolster his state's defenses against terrorism by issuing Executive Order 2025-02. The order initiates the Secure Oklahoma NOW (Not on Our Watch) Initiative, a plan to thoroughly develop and improve security strategies for public events. Governor Stitt, reflecting on the traumatic legacy of domestic terror in Oklahoma and the recent New Year's Day attack in New Orleans, emphasized the imperative to remain alert and prepared, according to a press release on the Oklahoma Government's official website.
The order not only calls for the Department of Public Safety to collaborate with the newly-formed NOW Advisory Council to author a guide for security protocols but also to actively engage various experts in the process. Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Tipton, designated to chair the Advisory Council, remarked on the importance of this initiative, stating, "Ensuring the safety of Oklahomans at large-scale public events is a top priority." Tipton told the Oklahoma Government's official website that the council is to bring together experience and wisdom from different fields to ensure the security measures are proactive and effective.
The NOW Advisory Council is set to be a diverse 12-member panel with backgrounds in public safety, law enforcement, emergency management, and counterterrorism. These experts will combine their knowledge to create the guide, which will be updated annually, starting with its first release due by May 30. Secretary of Public Safety Tricia Everest highlighted the effectiveness of partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement in mitigating threats thus far. "We have been able to mitigate multiple threats with our effective partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement," Everest stated, expressing appreciation for Governor Stitt's efforts in streamlining these collaborations for the safety of Oklahomans, as stated by the Oklahoma Government's press release.
The initiative is expected to serve as an industry-standard resource for Oklahoma, assisting in planning and executing security at large events and sites deemed high-risk. The Department of Public Safety, in cooperation with the Advisory Commission, will ensure the guide reaches all relevant stakeholders. As Oklahoma moves forward, the Secure Oklahoma NOW initiative aims to craft a safety tapestry that will allow citizens to not just live, but also to celebrate and gather, without the overhanging shadow of fear.
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