SWFL Pride Fest to increase security after Vegas massacre

FORT MYERS, Fla. Southwest Florida Pride Fest organizers are stepping up security in the wake of the Las Vegas shooting.

At least 59 people were killed and 527 injured Monday at a music festival in Las Vegas, surpassing the Pulse nightclub shooting in June 2016 as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

A historic number of attendees are expected at the festival this Saturday, forcing organizers to increase police presence and to use metal detectors.

“The borders are 100 percent [secured] and we have security on the parameters and we have nobody going over or under. It’s for the safety for everyone,” Southwest Florida Pride President Mel Crawford said.

Crawford wants to make sure the open field will be secure, but also fun.

“There’s a point were you become paranoid of everything, be more aware of your surroundings,” she said. “This is going to be the biggest pride we’ll have in this area. This is history.”

The annual event kicks off at 12 p.m. Saturday at the Alliance for Arts on 10091 McGregor Blvd.

For more information about the event, click here.