Security is the number one concern as the city of St. Petersburg prepares for the state’s largest Pride celebration June 25 and 26.
“We just want to assure everyone we are using everything at our disposal to make sure everyone has a safe event,” says Yolanda Fernandez, spokesperson for the St. Petersburg Police Department. “Immediately after the incident in Orlando, we started security meeting to assess the security plan, a strategic plan in place that we use for the city’s large events. We reassessed that plan and looked where we could strengthen it.”
The St. Petersburg Police Department cannot release all the details for obvious reasons, but Fernandez says that parade and festival attendees will notice an increase in police presence.
“The main thing that I can say is that we have reached out to other local law enforcement agencies, state law enforcement agencies, as well as federal agencies to work with them to be able to use their resources along with ours for the event,” Fernandez says. “I think the real key strength in keeping everyone safe is going to come in what people can’t see. That’s where they can be assured that because we are using these other resources – additional technologies, additional intelligence, additional reports – all kinds of things that these other agencies will work with us in providing that they will be safe.”
With security as the main concern, St. Pete Pride is cautiously moving forward with all planned events, but as of this moment none are planned to be cancelled.
“No single act of hate can detour us from coming together as a community,” Eric Skains, Executive Director of St Pete Pride, said in a statement on the St. Pete Pride web page. “Pride and unity is more important now than ever before. From the Stonewall Inn in New York and the UpStairs Lounge in New Orleans to Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, acts of violence at LGBTQ+ welcoming establishments has been part of our dark history. Each time our community has come together and silenced the voices of hate.”
St. Petersburg mayor Rick Kriseman echoed the sentiment from St. Pete Pride.
In a statement from the mayor’s office, Kriseman said, “Every year I look forward to June when we host Pride events, including one of the biggest Pride parades in the nation. The safety and security of our citizens is always job one. I have full faith and confidence that Chief Holloway and the men and women of the St. Petersburg Police Department will do everything they can to keep Pride attendees, and all our citizens, safe. I appreciate the ability of our police department to work with other law enforcement organizations to help ensure that safety.”
The city of St. Petersburg flies the LGBT flag over City Hall every year during St. Pete Pride, that tradition set by Kriseman will also go on as planned.
“St. Petersburg is ready to celebrate Pride, and it is as important as ever in light of the tragic events at Pulse in Orlando,” Kriseman says.
Polk County Pride will also continue with their Pride celebration in Lakeland June 18.
In a message posted to the organization’s Facebook event page, they said, “Hello everyone! Just a quick message to let you know that PRIDE IN THE PARK and all Polk Pride events are continuing as planned. We have partnered with Lakeland PD to have a presence at each and every event. While we already had LPD support for the park, we have requested and secured double the officers. Safety and peace of mind is our highest priority. We look forward to seeing you at the events this week.”
