More than 200,000 people are descending on Midtown and Piedmont Park this weekend for Atlanta Pride, the annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and those in the queer community.
After the mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people and wounded nearly 500, and the June 2016 shooting at a gay bar in Orlando that killed 49, the Atlanta Police Department and local businesses are beefing up surveillance and taking precautions to keep the crowds safe.
APD spokesman Carlos Campos said the department will have both on- and off-duty officers at this weekend’s events to ensure “visibility and security,” as well as the ability to “respond to any crisis.”
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Local bars are also increasing their own protections.
Jennifer Maguire, co-owner of My Sister’s Room, the site of the official Atlanta Pride kickoff after-party Friday night, said she added extra security for the expected 4,500 people at her events. Spread across three spaces, Maguire said off-duty police will be utilized both inside and outside of the venues.
The extra eyes are in addition to the full-body pat-down patrons are required to have before they are allowed in. Maguire said the bar implemented a pat-down more than five years ago, and it is the “biggest thing” for safety regardless of the weekend.
“A lot of people didn’t like it at first,” Maguire said. “But we don’t get much push back now.”
Midtown bars in the center of the action will also have a police presence.
At Burkhart’s Pub, general manager Don Hunnewell said his staff is trained to pay attention to potential conflict, but he also doubled the number of security in expectation of the large crowds.
The increased efforts likely won’t deter people from attending the PRIDE festivities, Maguire said, but should prompt them to be more vigilant.
Hunnewell agreed.
“The only way terrorists win is when we give up our rights to enjoy life,” Hunnewell said. “We need to act responsibly and pay attention.”
Credit: Branden Camp
Credit: Branden Camp
In an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's editorial board last week, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields said after the shooting in Las Vegas, the department will be taking "more of an aerial view," utilizing helicopters carrying SWAT officers trained to shoot from the air.
That change is just one the chief and department are implementing following recent violence and protests in places like Charlottesville, Va.; the terroist attack in Manchester, England; as well as, the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
“You can never assume that you would have it in control,” she said. “It is very hard for any of us to anticipate what some of these individuals have proven themselves capable of.”
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