The Chicago Police Department will be stepping up police presence in certain areas of the city after the deadly massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando, officials announced Sunday.
First Deputy Superintendent John Escalante ordered the stepped-up police presence in the wake of the attack and the arrest of a heavily armed man near the LA Pride parade, according to a release from the Department.
Additional resources will be deployed to the 19th District, which includes the North Side neighborhoods of Lake View, Lincoln Park and Boystown.
Increased police visibility will be present at all special events throughout the city and along the lakefront as well, according to Chicago Police spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.
Officers will also be conducting increased traffic and safety enforcement downtown, on heavily traveled areas, and at CTA transportation hubs, police said.
"These measures are being done out of an abundance of caution," Guglielmi said. "There is no intelligence or threat against the LGBTQ community or any event within the City of Chicago."
The increased police presence comes in the wake of the deadliest shooting in American history. 50 people were killed and at least 53 more wounded when a gunman wielding an assault-type rifle and a handgun took hostages and opened fire inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando.
The gunman, later identified by the FBI as as Omar Mateen, 29, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, died in a gunfight with SWAT officers, police said.
Chicago Police offered additional assistance to Orlando law enforcement Sunday, Guglielmi told NBC 5. CPD extended its condolences and offered technical, manpower or resource assistance.
"As we learn about another reprehensible act of gun violence, CPD extends our deepest condolences to those affected by the horrible tragedy in #Orlando," Chicago Police said in a statement on Facebook. "Our thoughts and support also go out to our partners at the FBI and Orlando Police for their great work managing such a tragic and difficult incident.
Orlando's police chief publicly thanked Chicago Police during a press conference Sunday morning.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in a statement called the shooting a "horrifying act of terrorism" that was "an attack on our most fundamental values as Americans."
