JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If you plan to attend Thursday’s River Jams concert in downtown Jacksonville, you will likely see an increase in Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers in every direction.
The law enforcement agency is ramping up security after American federal intelligence officials warned of a possible terror attack in the United States.
The warning comes in the wake of a terror attack several weeks ago in Russia that killed more than 140 people and injured more than 500 others at a music venue. ISIS took credit for the attack.
It also comes after an Idaho man was arrested for allegedly plotting a mass attack on a church in the name of ISIS.
“You have to be aware that these exist and that the threat is real, and you can’t be careful enough. You don’t want to be scared. You don’t want to not do things, but you have to be knowledgeable,” News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said.
Hackney is a retired JSO director of Homeland Security and was accustomed to security briefings about potential threats.
He said the recent warning to local police from federal intelligence officials has likely caused JSO to make changes to its security plans for the concert.
“Given the warning that came out and given the event in Russia that happened in that large group or gathering over there, it’s more than likely that things got stepped up that extra little bit got put in place,” Hackney said. “You look at these plans and you look at the warnings that are given out by federal authorities and you make sure you are fitting in what that warning could really be there for.”
There will be uniformed officers present at the event and “likely undercover officers or officers that are acting as participants that are present to provide security,” according to Hackney.
Hackney also explained why it’s important to stay vigilant at any large event.
“You have to keep your wits about you when you are in these large gatherings,” Hackney said. “If you see something suspicious -- and it’s hard to define what suspicious is-- but if there is something that causes the hair on the back of your beck to stand up, there are enough authorities around. Find one of them. Tell them what you saw and don’t just scratch your head and say maybe that means nothing because maybe it means something.”
He encourages concert-goers to know where the exit areas are located at any event in case an emergency happens.
The FBI sent a statement regarding the possible threat, saying, in part, “The FBI continuously collects intelligence about potential threats. Countering terrorism remains our number one priority and we regularly share information with law enforcement partners to assist in protecting the communities we all serve. The FBI encourages members of the public to be vigilant and report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”