Is it safe to attend large events in Atlanta? We talked to public safety experts

WSBTV.com News Staff
·2 min read

A day after a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Illinois left seven people dead and at least 30 injured, the country remains on high alert.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington was at Centennial Park, where thousands of people gathered for the annual fireworks show Monday night.

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Washington talked to tourist Amy Cassaday, who said fireworks weren’t the only things she and her family were watching for.

“We’re more open to keeping our eyes out, and we’re aware of our surroundings,” Cassaday said. “We talk to our children about watching who they are with and where they go.”

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Washington talked to Keshia Walker, an events coordinator, about the safety precautions she puts in place to help keep people safe.

“You have to make sure you have extra and more qualified security on hand,” Walker said. “(We have) everything from scanners to actual walk-through monitors that will make sure there are no metal devices or anything of that nature coming in.”

On Tuesday, Washington spoke to some local police officers, who said that not only are event participants scanned, but the surrounding areas are also closely monitored.

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During this year’s Peachtree Road Race, there were a number of police officers lining the race route.

Still, some people say they won’t feel comfortable returning to outdoor events with large crowds.

“I think people should naturally be concerned and cautious of outdoor events,” David Garmon said.

Cassaday said yet another mass shooting in America won’t keep her from enjoying life with her family.

“I think we were still going to go and enjoy our family time,” Cassaday said. “We missed three years.”