After Paris attacks, Bengals security tightens

In the wake of terror attacks in Paris, local law-enforcement officials have opened the Regional Operation Center in South Fairmount, where all local authorities are coordinating efforts.

It will stay open at least through the Monday Night Football game when the Cincinnati Bengals host the Houston Texans. Fans should expect increased security, although there are no known threats, NFL officials said Saturday.

"We're very sensitive to the football game on Monday," City Manager Harry Black told The Enquirer.

There are no active threats in the U.S. or Cincinnati region, according to a news release from the City of Cincinnati. But officials are monitoring for any potential security threats.

A security plan was already in place for the high-profile Monday night Bengals game, where the city will be in the national spotlight. At an early-morning meeting Saturday, some tweaks were made, Assistant Police Chief Dave Bailey said.

Black said his first call when he heard about the attacks Friday was interim Police Chief Eliot Isaac, who earlier in the day he nominated to get the top police job permanently.

"The first thing that came to my mind was the City of Cincinnati," Black said. "That's my number one priority."

"I have absolute confidence and faith in how our police and fire agencies handle emergency situations," Black said. "We immediately got our emergency operations center up and running."

Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, vice chairman of the Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, said local law-enforcement agencies have gotten three communications related to homeland security, all assurances there no credible threat in the United States.

"The center is open every day of the week, but activating it happens infrequently – and that’s a good thing," Portune said.

The center was last open during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game four months ago. It also proved helpful in the windstorm of 2008 when some people lost power for more than a week.

The NFL released a statement Saturday assuring the public "The safety of our fans, stadium personnel, and teams at all NFL games is our priority, and security at our games is robust."

The league's security procedures have been certified and designated by the Department of Homeland Security since 2008 as effective anti-terrorism technology.

All NFL clubs use mandatory metal detector screening and multiple layers of perimeter security external to the stadium to safeguard fans and the stadium from explosive threats.

"In addition to our standard procedures described above, there will be an increased security and law enforcement presence both inside and outside stadiums in the parking lots of our stadiums this weekend," the statement said.​

The terrorists in Paris caused two suicide bomb explosions just outside a stadium where a soccer match was under way between the national teams of France and Germany, the 2014 World Cup champions. Some reports indicated the terrorists at one point had attempted to enter the Stade de France stadium.

Mayor John Cranley, who has visited Paris on several occasions, said "the idea that Islamic terrorism is now striking at concerts and soccer games is an attack on all of us.

"We’re coordinating with local authorities," Cranley said. "We don’t want these terrorists to ruin our ability to come together for Monday Night Football or anything else."

See something, say something

* City officials are asking the public to call the fusion center at 513-263-8000 if any suspicious activity is observed.

What to expect at Paul Brown Stadium

* All NFL clubs use mandatory metal detector screening and multiple layers of perimeter security external to the stadium to safeguard fans and the stadium from explosive threats.

* The NFL has strongly recommended that fans do not bring bags with them to the stadium. If it is essential to bring a bag, it must be in compliance with the clear bag policy which requires that it be made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and not exceed 12" x 6" x 12."

About the Regional Operation Center

The Regional Operation Center was one piece of a larger regional security upgrade after 9/11, opening in 2005.

The county and city shared the $3.5 million cost of the center that was once the old Slush Puppie headquarters. It includes a two-story video screen.

"We didn't buy with the goal of just doing terrorism stuff," former county EMA Manager Mike Snowden told The Enquirer in 2011. "Everything was done with an eye toward helping us with any event we might have here."

It’s manned 24/7, but only opened when there’s a need, like now when there is a worldwide watch for terrorism, during bad weather or during events that draw large crowds.

When it’s open local first responders operate out of the center, including the FBI.