HOUSTON – Before you can taste the barbecue or watch a performance at NRG Stadium, you’ll have to go through metal detectors.
There’s also fencing around the entire Carnival of Lot B.
You’ll find Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies walking the grounds, while their cruisers line the streets.
Houston Police Department officers are also visible, helping to direct traffic. Safety and security is an obvious theme of this year’s Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“It’s always been pretty secure over here," said attendee Marie Elgamal. “I know they’ve gotten tighter and tighter every year about it, but yeah, we feel safe.”
Along with the added fencing, there’s an increase in mounted and foot patrols. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is also bringing out the vapor dogs.
“These are passive dogs that can walk through a crowd, identify explosive materials or gunpowder and actually trace it to its source in the crowd,” explained Joel Crowley, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
During the 2017 rodeo, the sound of a single gunshot caused panic throughout the grounds. Houston police found a shell casing but never recovered a gun.
“Unfortunately it appears it was a group of youth but it was more mischief than malice,” Crowley said.
Crowley said the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is working hard to reassure people it's doing all it can to prevent that from happening again. He hopes rodeogoers will take notice.