Some Atlanta attractions are evaluating their security plans in light of the terror attack in Orlando, the deadliest shooting in U.S. history.
Atlanta's gay bars and nightclubs were particularly worried about additional attacks, and discussed their plans for heightened precautions with AJC writer Jewel Wicker.
Concerns about copycat attacks are warranted, according to Ross Bulla, a terrorism and security expert who is president of the Treadstone Group in Denver, N.C.
Bulla told a reporter there is a high probability the attack in Orlando, Fla., could lead to others. “Unfortunately, attacks inspire other attacks,” he said.
Speaking at a news conference Monday broadcast on Periscope, Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief R. Bryant said there was “no viable intelligence” that a follow-up attack is planned, but stressed the need to maintain vigilance.
An apparent threat caused the evacuation of the Atlanta Galleria office complex Monday, though the event did not affect the Cobb Galleria convention center and shopping area, according to Cobb Galleria spokeswoman Karen Caro.
“We don’t want to comment on any particulars of our security, but we do have an emergency response plan,” she said.
Many of Atlanta’s attractions already institute security measures.
The Georgia Dome requires visitors to keep their belongings in “clear” bags, and uses metal detectors at its entrances.
Six Flags Over Georgia, which will welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this summer, screens visitors and utilizes uniformed and plainclothes security guards.
“The safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority,” said a statement from Six Flags. “We work very closely with local law enforcement officials and utilize metal detectors, bag checks, off-duty officers, and other layers of seen and unseen security to help ensure a safe environment. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by the Orlando tragedy.”
The Woodruff Arts Center, which includes the Alliance Theatre, the High Museum and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, offered the following statement about its security precautions:
“The Woodruff Arts Center regularly reviews its security procedures and works with local law enforcement agencies and our private security provider on a regular basis to make our campus as safe as possible. Also, over the last several months, we have had safety and security awareness briefings with all of our employees.”
In addition to that statement, Woodruff spokesman Randy Donaldson said, “We often have uniformed police officers present on campus for a variety of events. Beyond that, we don’t want to go into detail on our security processes.”
Who are the victims in Orlando?
Security forces at the Georgia Aquarium are advised about heightened threats by Fulton County Emergency Management and the FBI, and “currently there are no viable threats in our community,” said the aquarium’s director of security, Alan Davis.
The aquarium currently shares two off-duty police officers in the Pemberton Place area with the World of Coca-Cola museum, keeps security guards inside the facility and conducts bag checks of each visitor. Davis said the aquarium occasionally and randomly increases its security level to include the use of metal-detecting wands, “just to be on the safe side.”
Video from Orlando can be seen here.
Personnel at Zoo Atlanta regularly practice responding to emergency situations, said spokeswoman Rachel Davis. “(We) conduct drills many times throughout the year for a wide variety of situations ranging from severe weather to medical emergencies and a host of other scenarios,” she said.
Preparing for emergencies is a daily event at the world’s busiest airport. “ATL maintains a continued emphasis on hyper vigilant security measures at all times,” Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport spokesman Andy Gobeil said in an emailed statement.
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