Following the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Sunday’s Pride parade in West Hollywood will go on as scheduled, according to the local sheriffs department there.
L.A. Pride organizers will observe a moment of silence at 10:45 a.m. along the entire parade route.
“The security had already been increased as a result of Pride weekend,” Lieutenant Edward Ramirez of West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station told TheWrap. “We ensured all of our deputies in the city of West Hollywood were working.
“In light of incident in Orlando, Los Angeles County is fully prepared to respond should the need exist,” he said, confirming that officers are equipped with tactical gear in case the need to respond to an active shooter situation arises.
“We want to ensure the public knows we do have large presence here and encourage them to enjoy the parade, music, food, fun and festivities,” he added.
“We already had contingency plans in place for something like this should the need exist.”
The sheriff’s department planned for tightened security due to the high number and density of expected crowds at the event — given sensitivity around the increasing number of terrorist acts around the world.
We will observe a moment of silence today along the entire Parade route at 10:45 am.
— LA PRIDE (@LAPRIDE) June 12, 2016
Our hearts are with you, Orlando. pic.twitter.com/e0WWYUPcmd
— LA PRIDE (@LAPRIDE) June 12, 2016