Mayor Eric Garcetti insisted Tuesday there are no credible terrorist threats against Los Angeles, but said police are making a “show of force” to send a message that the city is prepared to respond and that potential attackers “should think twice” about targeting the Southland.
“We have protocols, we have cooperation between agencies, we have experience,” Garcetti said in response to the terror attacks in Brussels. “We have a well-prepared city. We know terrorism, though, strikes in such random ways that we must all see where we can do our parts as individuals, as institutional leaders, business community, faith community and others. And the coordination doesn’t just end there.
“We partner with our interfaith leaders, … nonprofits and community groups to continue to engage the people of Los Angeles, our young people, our diverse communities,” he said. “… Today we have no credible or specific threats about Los Angeles, but whenever there are these incidents we, of course, make sure that we have a show of force, at key infrastructure, we have many of our units that are out there, whether it be bomb technicians, whether it be our canine units at the airport to make sure we have visibility — people know that this is a city that somebody should think twice before attacking.”
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck echoed that thought, saying the department wants to have a “high visibility” to reassure the public and deter potential attackers.
“We want to make sure our critical infrastructure is safe and we want to make sure the specific targets have police coverage, and we are doing that and you will see an increased police presence at all these locations,” he said.
Garcetti and Beck both repeated the common refrain that the public needs to help law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity.
“Public safety is my responsibility in Los Angeles, but it’s everybody’s business,” Beck said. “The thing that keeps L.A. safe, the thing that keeps America safe, is the public. If you see something, say something. The eyes and ears of the public are absolutely paramount in keeping L.A. safe.”
Beck also cited partnerships between police and community groups as essential to protecting the city.
“You know, inclusion, acceptance, belief in each other — no matter where you come from, no matter where your parents are, no matter what religion you uphold — is what makes America,” he said. “And that sense of inclusion is what keeps people from being radicalized. It’s what keeps people from going to the dark side. This is very much a battle between good and evil. And its the good in America that keeps us safe.”
— Wire reports