AUSTIN, Texas – In light of Sunday night’s mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas, people are now turning their attention to an annual music festival in Austin and its security measures.
The Austin City Limits Music Festival kicks off its first of two three-day weekends on Friday. Last year, about 75,000 people attended the popular music festival each day.
On Monday afternoon, Austin Police Chief Brian Manley sent his condolences to victims of the shooting in Las Vegas. Manley said the Police Department is taking the next couple of days to re-evaluate its current plan for ACL.
“This is truly a tragedy. Collectively, our hearts go out to the Las Vegas community,” said Manley about Sunday night’s shooting. “Our hearts and our thoughts and our prayers are with those that have suffered such a loss out in Las Vegas.”
Manley said he knows there is a lot of concern about safety, especially since it’s the week leading up to ACL.
Manley encouraged people to come to ACL and expressed how the annual event has been safe for a number of years, but said the Police Department is going to look at its plans.
“Going over the plan we have in place right now for ACL, this is a plan that has been months in the making and a plan similar to the one we’ve used in the past, however, we can’t come in on the day after an event like we just saw happen in Las Vegas and not reconsider our plans and make sure that we are comfortable we have addressed every threat possible,” Manley said.
Manley said the department has contacted federal and state resources for extra help to secure the event. He also said the Department of Public Safety has volunteered to on each weekend of the festival.
Manley wouldn’t go into specifics, but said there will be a heavy visible police presence as well as a presence that won’t be seen.
Manley said the Police Department will continue to monitor social media for any threats, but there have not been any threats directed toward the music festival. He said copycats are always a concern and the department will have security measures in place to monitor surrounding high-rises.
"I will not go into specifics of what our planning is but we are paying attention to those areas where we think we could potentially have an issue if someone would want to try and carry out something like that here, so we're aware of where those locations would be and taking steps to address them,” Manley said.
According to Manley, ACL hires off-duty officers to provide security within the event.
He also stressed that people should enjoy themselves, but should not overindulge in alcohol to the point where they can’t make good decisions.
ACL response:
In a statement, C3 Presents, which produces the Austin City Limits Music Festival, said:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and everyone in Las Vegas who was affected by this terrible tragedy.
"Safety has always been our top priority. Our staff and security team works year-round with the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS, and other authorities to plan and rehearse security and response plans.
"Over the years, tighter security measures have been implemented at ACL Fest including a layered security plan that includes elements that are seen and unseen, as well as pat downs, bag searches and size limits, and an enhanced security and law enforcement presence inside and outside the festival.
"We look forward to Austin City Limits Music Festival over the next two weekends."
Concertgoer Zachary Casler, who has attended ACL in the past, said what happened in Las Vegas was scary, but he feels confident about the security at ACL.
“I don’t have any concerns. I do believe concert security will be stepped up and the location where the concert is, is pretty secluded,” said Casler.
