Authorities are deploying more security than ever at the Oscars this year after warnings of a potential Iranian drone strike in California.
Officials said security at Sunday’s 98th Academy Awards in Hollywood will be “better” than ever with a one-mile security perimeter around the awards show.
Hosted by Conan O’Brien, the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood will also feature red carpet arrivals, a gala and a ball in addition to the prime-time event.
Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Mike Bland said the department deploys a special team called the Major Events Group tasked only with ensuring the security of important events such as the Oscars.
“We’re going to be better and better and better at implementing the plan, executing it, and ensuring that best, most optimal outcome,” Bland said. “We pre-planned for any challenges, and with that, the plan is in place to navigate any challenges as quickly as possible and as safely as possible.”
The LAPD will dispatch more personnel than it has in the award show’s nearly 100-year history, Bland said.
Aside from increased manpower, the LAPD preparations include layered security perimeters, traffic management plans and a highly visible police presence throughout the Hollywood area.
The LAPD will establish rings of security around the event, with only certain visitors and personnel permitted to pass through.
Road closures throughout Hollywood will also be extensive.
The measures are part of a comprehensive strategy developed months in advance to anticipate challenges and maintain the safety of everyone participating in or visiting the Oscars, Bland explained.
“We don’t give up the inside baseball secrets, but multiple LAPD divisions and specialized entities will be there at scene, managing event security,” he said.
Part of that plan is an extensive coordination with federal authorities.
Federal and local agencies will be teaming up with the Joint Terrorism Task Force to monitor social media and gather intelligence.
The collaboration comes after the FBI issued a warning to cops across the Golden State of a potential Iranian drone strike.
“As of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United State Homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California,” the FBI bulletin read.
Bland noted that message provided no date or location, and there’s no known threat against the city or the Oscars.
“There’s no specific known threat to Los Angeles or to the Academy,” he said. “But all potential threats are considered in this plan.”
The LAPD recently invested $10 million in an anti-drone program.
And additional manpower is a prime tactic the LAPD is using to shore up security at this year’s Oscars, said Bland, with more personnel dispatched for the event this year than in the last two years.
“Obviously, there’s things nationally and internationally that are happening that we have to be cognizant of, but it’s also more personnel based on learned experience,” he said.
This is the third consecutive year the LAPD major events group will be handling the Oscars, said Bland.
“This year’s plan was created with the last two years of experience, and so we’re able to do things better every year,” he said. “And, again, this year, we do have more personnel assigned.”