LAPD Monitors Paris Terrorist Attacks, Expects 'Higher Deployment Of Officers'
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Residents and authorities alike of the city of Los Angeles are reacting to the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, in which at least 100 people were killed.
While city officials are fully prepared for mobilization in the event of a terrorist attack, LAPD Commander Andrew Smith says there is no connection of the attacks to the city of Los Angeles.
The department, however, is not taking any chances.
"There's no nexus to LA, there's no known connection to Los Angeles, but, as Chief Beck says, we're not in the optimism business," Cmdr. Smith said. "In an abundance of caution, we're making sure that everyone know what's going on, and we're doing our best to check all those sites."
Commander Smith says that, while the department was not immediately fully mobilized, they are prepared to do so.
"We haven't declared a mobilization or tactical alert yet, (but) if things ramp up, we may decide to do that in the future, but right now we have not held off the officers that are going into watch, and we have not called in additional officers," Cmdr. Smith said.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti took to social media to share his thoughts on the attacks.
The mayor also tweeted about the city's readiness level following the events in Paris.
The attacks in Paris were carried out in at least three locations, including a concert hall, in which at least 100 people were held hostage for a period of time Friday.
A Palm Desert rock band was the headline act for that concert.
Other people looking to travel from LAX to Paris said that they were emotional, while others described themselves as apprehensive.
"We had our travel agent, I was on the phone until this second, we were thinking should we go, should be cancel, should we not go," Media Smith said.
Security outside the terminals, meanwhile, was quite visible, as airport police and their K-9s spent the evening patrolling LAX.
American Airlines confirmed the cancellation of one flight, out of Dallas, while Delta stated that their flights from the U.S. to Paris were to continue as normal.
Concerts and events at large venues in Los Angeles, meanwhile, were on heightened alert.
LAPD officers stepped up their presence at Staples Center, LA Live and other large venues.
Lee Zeidman, president of Staples Center, Microsoft Theater and LA Live, released a statement regarding security on Friday night.
"We are in constant communication with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies along with intelligence authorities and other consultants to ensure our security is continually taking proactive measures."
