Law enforcement on high alert for Big Ten Tournament, other major events amid war with Iran

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As the city prepares for the NCAA Big 10 Men's Basketball Tournament starting Tuesday, the I-Team is examining a thorough law enforcement threat assessment for the event that draws tens of thousands of people to the United Center.

That threat assessment, made by the FBI Chicago Field Office and reviewed by ABC News, is putting law enforcement on high alert considering the ongoing U.S. war with Iran.

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And while there are no credible specific threats revealed thus far, local, and federal agencies are looking for bad actors willing to take American lives.

Some of the key areas of focus for law enforcement ahead of the NCAA Big Ten tournament are the possibility of attacks inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, like one that's under investigation from this past weekend.

In Manhattan, two men were arrested for throwing improvised explosive devices outside of the mayor's residence on Saturday.

The incident is now being investigated by federal authorities for possible ties to ISIS, according to court records.

ABC7 law enforcement expert and former deputy special agent in charge at the Chicago Secret Service Field office Derek Mayer said since the war with Iran started stateside law enforcement have been on high alert.

"The leaders of a country were killed," Mayer said. "So, law enforcement on American soil need to be prepared."

Mayer told the I-Team with ongoing offensives in the Middle East, federal and local law enforcement have a heightened threat posture here at home.

"Law enforcement has to be vigilant," Mayer explained. "What you'll see nowadays is, you know, extra patrols, extra resources, extra assets, and sometimes you'll even see extra officers at a lot of these events."

The FBI security assessment highlights the unpredictability of the current threat environment, including the possibility of lone wolf actors inspired by political or social grievances, like the Highland Park July 4th shooter who killed six people and wounded dozens, and the threat of vehicle attacks on soft targets, like the 2025 New Orleans New Years Day attack.

Another area of focus in the assessment: The emerging threat of using drone technology for a planned attack.

"A small drone can carry a small payload that can, you know, wreak havoc," Mayer said. "That is something that law enforcement has to be prepared for. And as we know, technology is evolving every day."

The report again states there is no credible reporting on plans to use drones to target the NCAA Big Ten Tournament, but it notes foreign terrorist organization propaganda that has encouraged people to use drones for mass casualty attacks, with ISIS specifically encouraging attacks on sporting events.

Experts tell the I-Team the threat environment is incredibly dynamic right now. Pro-Iranian hacking organizations just claimed successful cyber-attacks against the US, Israel, and other NATO allies in the past week, according to intelligence reports reviewed by the I-Team.

Mayer said attendees of major events can be law enforcement's greatest ally.

"The general public is law enforcement's greatest friend," Mayer said. "If you see something, say something, especially at times like this, when America is in a conflict."