Council amends and advances intergovernmental security agreements for NFL draft, bars immigration enforcement by visiting agencies

Pittsburgh City Council’s intergovernmental and public‑safety committees on March 25 advanced a resolution authorizing cooperative agreements with outside law‑enforcement agencies to provide security support for the 2026 National Football League (NFL) draft, including explosive‑detection K9 teams. Councilors unanimously approved an amendment to bar cooperating municipalities from conducting immigration enforcement while they are operating in the city’s draft footprint.

Chief Matt Singer, deputy chief of staff to Mayor O’Connor, said the administration sought committee authorization so it could quickly finalize agreements and logistics with partner agencies. “With the draft quickly approaching, we wanted the authorization to begin writing these to be cleared as soon as possible,” Singer said, explaining that late assembly of partner lists created a timing issue for getting the bill on the printed agenda.

Officials said the city expects to need a large number of K9 explosive‑detection teams to cover vehicle and pedestrian entry points. “At last check … we were somewhere around needing 60 to 70 dogs. 60 to 70 maybe maybe as close to 90,” Singer said. Commander Baker added that the request is limited to dogs and their handlers to “check vehicles as they come in and out,” and that participating officers and K9 teams will be credentialed for the event.

Councilperson Charlan (sponsor of the amendment) moved language to ensure visiting agencies do not undertake immigration enforcement while assisting the city. “This adds language … to make sure that none of the municipalities that will be here for their assistance with the draft … can partake in immigration enforcement activities while they’re here,” Charlan said.

Council members also sought operational clarity: the administration said cooperating agencies’ K9 teams and handlers would be credentialed and operate under the city’s unified command for the draft; the city will accept in‑kind support and not require cost recovery for the K9 assistance.

Council amended the bill to place the non‑enforcement condition inside the actionable body of the resolution and to specify the limited scope — explosive‑detection K9 teams and their handlers — and then gave the committee an affirmative recommendation to advance the measure.

What’s next: The amended intergovernmental authorization moves forward to the full council process for scheduling and any final votes.