Security measures in place ahead of PrideFest
By Bianca Buono
@BBuonoABC6
In the wake of the unimaginable tragedy in Orlando, the LGBTQ community in Rhode Island is gearing up for a celebratory weekend. The start of the 40th annual PrideFest is just hours away and the stage set for what’s expected to be one of the busiest celebrations in its 40 year history.
"I do believe that this will bring our community together and as we stand together we are stronger as a community,” said former RI Pride President Alex Gorriaran.
Gorriaran and the LGBTQ community spent the past week mourning the loss of 49 lives killed at Pulse nightclub during national gay pride month in Orlando.
"This has been a very emotional week for all of us. We all have been affected by these tragedies in Orlando in many different ways,” Gorriaran said.
State and local law enforcement are rallying behind that community during this sensitive time. In addition to officers in uniform and in plain clothes, they’re using additional resources this weekend.
"For this particular event, we’ve activated our SRU team, the Special Response Unit. They’re tactically trained, they’re specially trained. They’re a very elite unit within the Providence Police,” said Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Providence Police Chief.
Providence Police sat down with Rhode Island Pride officials Thursday night to discuss logistics for this weekend.
"We put together an operational plan, an action plan. We just wanted there to be consistent communication,” Clements said.
As for Gorriaran, he says the tens of thousands headed to the Capital City are in good hands.
"It is going to be one of the safest areas to be in the state this weekend,” said Gorriaran.
© WLNE-TV 2016
