ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando city officials said they're examining security measures at upcoming events in the wake of a terrorist attack at Manchester Arena on Monday and assured citizens that measures are in place to keep the public safe.
Orlando police Chief John Mina said the bombing in Manchester, which left 22 people dead, hits close to home for those who call Central Florida home, especially as the city prepares to mark one year since the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub.
"We are coming up on the one year mark of Pulse, so any time we have something around the world that's terrorist-related, of course this is going to bring that pain just closer to home, especially for us here in Orlando," Mina said.
Mina said that since that attack, the city has become stronger and more secure.
In a few weeks, thousands of people will gather at Lake Eola to honor the Pulse victims and survivors during the One Love: Remembering the Angels event. Then in July, the park will host thousands more for Fireworks at the Fountain.
Mina said he wants attendees to know that officials are doing everything they can to make those events safe.
"There is a coordination between federal, state and local (officials), with the Orlando Police Department leading the way, to make sure all the security measures are in place to keep everyone safe and I would assure everyone that we are safe and to continue about their daily business and trust that law enforcement, along with all those partners, are going to continue to keep us safe," Mina said.
He added that visitors will able to see some security measures, such as an increased police presence, but other tactics will be more covert.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent Danny Banks agreed that authorities have doubled down on security measures in the past year.
"We cannot let terrorism prohibit us from doing things as members of the community," Banks said. "We cannot allow terrorists to dictate our lives. That's why we have to stand together to dictate our own public safety."
He said even with revised and enhanced protocol, officials still rely on citizens to report criminal activity.
"That's probably the most important tool that we have in our community to help us stop these events," Banks said. "Anything that a citizen thinks is suspicious, is suspicious to law enforcement. Any information that is concerning to a citizen, is concerning to us. I say we are safer now, but we are never completely safe."
News 6 reached out to theme park and venue managers to learn if they are taking any extra security measures after the Manchester bombing. Read their responses here.