The NFL has revised its security measures and garnered extra law enforcement assistance for Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, following a tragic incident in the city on January 1, according to chief security officer Cathy Lanier on Wednesday.

Lanier, who leads the league’s security strategy and initiatives, did not disclose the exact number of additional law enforcement personnel that will be present at the Superdome next month, nor did she compare the current security detail to previous Super Bowls or past security strategies. However, the former D.C. police chief confirmed that the league did request and receive more support following the January 1 incident, where a man drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, resulting in 14 fatalities and numerous injuries.

“It’s reasonable to wonder if we have made any changes since the January 1 incident, and the brief answer is yes,” Lanier stated during a conference call with reporters. “However, I’d like to clarify that our planning and security measures are always under review. We enhance and update our security strategies based on the most current information available. We are continually monitoring developments in the environment and the security landscape to implement necessary adjustments.”

Lanier emphasized that the Super Bowl is classified as a Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Level 1 event by the Department of Homeland Security, which necessitates thorough collaboration among state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies.

While she did not provide specific numbers regarding law enforcement presence at the Super Bowl and associated NFL events in New Orleans, Lanier mentioned that it would involve “thousands” of officers.

“I think the most significant change you will notice since the January 1 incident is a much more visible law enforcement presence, along with enhanced security perimeters,” Lanier remarked.

Super Bowl 59 events will commence in New Orleans next week. The main event, featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, is scheduled for February 9.

This will be the first Super Bowl in New Orleans since 2013 — occurring just weeks after the January 1 incident, when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, drove a truck into a busy area of the iconic French Quarter. Jabbar, an Army veteran from Texas, was killed in a shootout with police. Authorities later discovered an ISIS flag in the truck, investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism.

Lanier quickly arrived in New Orleans after the attack and discussed how to effectively adjust the league’s security strategies for the Super Bowl with state and local law enforcement representatives. She mentioned that these plans are continuously being refined to address security events occurring not only in New Orleans or the U.S. but also globally.

“There have not been any specific or credible threats regarding the Super Bowl so far,” Lanier noted. “So, we feel fairly confident.”

Follow Tom Schad on social media @tomschad.bsky.social.