San Francisco to be ‘locked down’ for Pride with metal detectors and bag searches
A secure zone will be introduced at San Francisco Pride this year, after the massacre in Orlando.
The Pride festival takes place in central San Francisco this weekend, from June 25 to 26.
Ahead of the event, extra security measures have been introduced – with all entrances to the Pride site locked down with metal detectors.
Large bags have been banned from the site, while all smaller bags will be searched for weapons.
A statement says: “There will be security screening and metal detectors at all points of entry for the 2016 San Francisco Pride Celebration and festival.
“Bags are highly discouraged, and no bags over 18” x 18” will be admitted. Everyone attending the Celebration must pass through the screening process.
“All items will be subject to inspection at the entry gates, and there are no lockers for storage of oversized bags.
“Attendees and participants at the 2016 SF Pride Celebration are strongly encouraged not to bring bags and only soft bags no larger than 18” x 18” will be admitted.
“All items will be subject to inspection at the entry gates, and there are no lockers for storage.”
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, private security officers will man the metal detectors and carry out searches at the entry points, while he Police Department will deploy 25 percent more officers than usual.
Spokesperson Sam Singer said that organisers and police are yet to confirm how many entry points there will be, and that it is undecided who will pay for the metal detectors.
City officials warned to expect “lengthy lines to get into the event”, according to the newspaper.
