Security Increased at LGBT Clubs and Pride Parades This Weekend
Extra precaution taken after the deadly shooting at an Orlando nightclub.
— -- Security is being ramped up at LGBT nightclubs and events across the country in the wake of the deadly Orlando nightclub shooting.
There will be extra police officers at the Chicago pride festival this weekend, the CPD told ABC News, while officers in New York City have increased their presence all week.
Security is also a priority at clubs closer to the scene of the Sunday shooting that resulted in 50 deaths at Pulse nightclub.
At Southern Nights, another LGBT club in Orlando, management has implemented new security measures that include two police officers with their cars positioned in front of the club every night, a private security company hired to handle metal detectors, wands and pat downs, and a ban on bringing any bags into the club.
"Southern Nights has been a home to the LGBT Community for 40 years,” the club said on its Facebook post. “It is, and will continue to be a place for all people to feel comfortable and always welcome. We promise that we will do everything in our power to keep it this way.”
While Orlando is reeling from what the FBI has now ruled a hate crime and the largest mass shooting in recent U.S. history, there have been other incidents at gay bars in New York where references were made to Orlando.
"In New York City, we responded to two incidents of violence where LGBT bars were targeted and references to Orlando were made," said Shelby Chestnut, director of community organizing and public advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
She also noted that there was more than one instance where people reportedly found handwritten notes on their cars that featured "threatening language and threats targeting LGBT people."
Earlier in the week, there was a vigil at the Stonewall Inn, a gay landmark bar in the Greenwich Village, and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said there would be increased security at that club and any other events at "key LGBT community locations."
"I think there is a lot of fear in the [LGBT] community here in NYC and around the country," de Blasio told ABC News Radio affiliate 1010 WINS earlier this week.
"There will be lots of additional police presence at all these events, particularly presence of our new critical response command, which is the largest anti-terror force of any police force in the country. So you will see the NYPD out in force keeping us safe," he said.
No specific numbers on police presence in New York have been released, but NYPD Chief of Department James O’Neill reiterated that they will be prepared for crowds at LGBT bars this weekend.
"Security is being stepped up, in particular, to areas where there is nightlife, anywhere where there are crowds, working closely with LGBT community," O'Neill said on 1010 WINS.
"I think it’s important that people have a chance to grieve, especially in public, and we will provide security for those events.”
ABC News' Brian Hartman contributed to this report.
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