OK, But Seriously: How Safe is PrideFest This Year?

Turns out, pretty damn safe.

****

When the news of the Orlando gunman hit, everyone in the office was agog. When the news of LA Pride’s would-be gunman hit, those of us who weren’t chewing our nails leapt to lock the door.

As the editor, I wanted to try and step up to ensure extra security during what could be coordinated attacks or a move that inspires copycats — one can never be too sure of anything and it’s better safe than … well, you know the rest. I immediately called the Denver Police Department’s District 2, which oversees security in River North, where our office is located. Though courteous, the gentleman on the other end of the line couldn’t assure that his team would provide extra security for the office. He said he’d make a request for the team assigned that day to patrol our area on any downtime they may have.

So, for the first time this team can ever remember, we made the office “let-in entry only.” And each time there was a knock, our hearts skipped a beat.

Not too long after we’d situated ourselves, our director of operations received a phone call from a concerned citizen.

“He said that he was wheelchair-bound and that he helps out regularly at PrideFest,” Maggie Phillips says. “This year, though, he’s really nervous about going. I tried to tell him they were upping the security measures, but it didn’t help much.”

From what we at OUT FRONT understand, there will be marshals at every entrance to the park, and people are — not unlike years past — subject to search. The GLBT Center encourages people to leave their bags and coolers at home, as well.

“The Center is working closely with the Denver Office of Emergency Management and the Denver Police Department to increase security and safety precautions at the parade and festival,” the organization stated via press release.

“Up until yesterday, we haven’t gotten word back from law enforcement,” says Steven Alix, one of X BAR’s owners. “We were looking for guidance. Who should we call? What should we look for?  All you want is some reassurance and communication, and we couldn’t get much of a response.”

He admits that lead to a bit of anxiety concerning the bar’s safety. “But [Denver Police] came by last night and they’ve been great.”

He says the delayed response was probably just timing.

“Such an attack hasn’t happened before and they were probably trying to figure out what to do themselves,” he says. “But they don’t have the manpower to watch all the places at risk, and I understand.”

He says the bar has hired off-duty officers to try and ensure safety for patrons this weekend.

Many in the community attended a meeting held by The Center last night, and couldn’t help but home in on a peculiar phrase.

“No credible threats have been made.”

(Wait. Credible … threats?)

“No credible threats.”

(So what’s an incredible threat look like these days?)

Sonny Jackson, a Denver Police Department spokesman, gave us a ring this afternoon to clarify what that meant. He was jovial and completely understood the concern.

“We have not received any [PrideFest] threats,” he says. “None. In saying there were ‘no credible threats,’ we realize it’s not the best terminology, but it’s an expression used by law enforcement.”

Well that’s a relief.

“We also said ‘as of yet,’” he reminds. “Anything can happen tomorrow, but we’re monitoring things closely with our state and federal partners — we’ve all got ears on — and thus far, there’s nothing of note.”

So how about down at the park this weekend?

“We’ve enhanced our security presence,” he says. “We’ll have more officers, and some things that you can’t see that we won’t disclose obviously. But there will be more security at the parade and at the park.”

Rex Fuller, the VP of Communications and Corporate Giving down at The Center, emailed the office to confirm.

“Just to be clear: no threats, credible or otherwise,” he wrote.

“It’s a scary, upsetting time. But it’s also time to pull together and say we’re not going to let this incident scare us back into the closet.”

Amen.

“We’re asking anyone, see something/say something,” stresses Jackson. “Don’t just dismiss it. Let us know and let us assess the situation.”

Sounds like a plan.