The Palm Springs Police Department is boosting its presence in the Arenas District in response to the worries expressed by local LGBTQ community members following the shooting at Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs.
"That type of violence and evil act, we don't want occurring here in our city, and we want people to feel comfortable with who they are, and Palm Springs is all about that," Lt. William Hutchinson posted on Facebook. "We want to make sure that people feel safe in who they are and living and working and playing in Palm Springs."
According to NBC Palm Springs, Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) is doing what it can to mitigate the fears expressed by local LGBTQ community members following the shooting.
Police Chief Andrew Mills said that PSPD has designated patrols in the Arenas District to make sure they're highly visible. Officers are talking to people and checking on community members, Mills said. He also explained that PSPD is communicating with police executives in Colorado, making sure the department stays informed of anything it needs to know. Similarly, PSPD is monitoring intelligence nationwide for news relating to the local community.
KESQ reports that business owners in the Arenas District saw additional patrol officers in the area within hours of the Colorado Springs shooting. Hutchinson said that a patrol team is set to be in Arenas District twice an hour. Additionally, the downtown enforcement team is checking the district regularly. Lt. Hutchinson also said that PSPD is working to collaborate with the Arenas District and LGBTQ leaders in the area to create a long-term security plan.
Mills sent a Facebook message out to the community after the shooting expressing "sadness and outrage."
"I know some of our friends feel vulnerable for merely existing," he said. "We want you to feel and be safe in Palm Springs, and we are dedicated to your safety."
Palm Springs Mayor Lisa Middleton also extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the shooting on behalf of the City Council and all staff.
Addressing Palm Springs, she then said: "To our LGBTQ community in Palm Springs, please know you are loved, respected and appreciated — and your safety is top priority ... in Palm Springs, hate is not tolerated — and we will do everything we can to ensure that this city remains a safe and welcoming community for our LGBTQ residents to live, work and be accepted and celebrated for who you are."