San Diego Mayor, Police Chief Talk Safety With LGBT Businesses

his is KPBS Midday Edition . I'm Maureen Cavanaugh it's Tuesday, June 14. Our top story on midday edition, as the wounded continue to have cover and the investigations continue into the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, other clubs, closer to home are reevaluating their security measures. The efforts are towards restoring a feeling of safety. Joining me is Manny Marquez, vice president of nightclub security consultants here in San Diego. Welcome to the program. Inc. you. Thank you for having us. Main duties of security guards, at clubs is to deal with junk or disorderly patrons and screen for IDs. Is that changing? Yes. Even in the wake of 9/11, gradually this sense of a higher focus on preventing issues around the active shooter is becoming something that's important in the industry. Have clubs reached out to you since the shooting? We have a pretty solid client base here in San Diego, some of our clients have reached out wanting some sort of answers or response to what happened in Orlando. The truth is, through our training we've been touching on these topics for several years. What are the specific questions? I think they're looking for answers and eight, what if scenario, what do we do, what's our response. Our response has been let's not overreact, be smart about it. Give your staff good answers. Law enforcement has been touting the responsive run, hide, fight. That's something you will hear more of, coming in the aftermath of Orlando. What kind of training do security guards get in California? California has two types of security requirements. One is what's called a guard card, that was the older program, based more on the observe and report. That's a 40 hour program, in 2011 California introduce the proprietary security officers recording -- course, the 16 hour program is more job specific, it's intended for the in-house guard who is unarmed -- wears a uniform. Within that 16 hour program, the state had initially put into hours of what they call, terrorism awareness. That was more for the observation of suspicious activity, things to look for. Are you recommending more or additional types of training? These sorts of attacks on nightclubs, we expected something like this to happen. It was a matter of time before something would occur on US soil. Because it's happened another question -- countries. I don't think it's resonated until it's happened on our home soil. I think what you will see in the future is more of the approach to enact -- active shooter training. How to deal with these scenarios, simulations and practicing, if this does go down, what is our response and how does our staff deal. Some people have expressed concern about going through metal detectors or being wanted, before going into a club, are you recommending clubs establish those sorts of policies? The business owner and the business is going to know what's best, for what the crowd is and what they're trying to accomplish. My feeling is, in regards to hospitality, that's not the answer. The truth is, any public spaces vulnerable. No matter how many safeguards you put in place, there's always going to be some sort of opportunity or threat. For our clients, we recommend to stay vigilant, stay hyperaware of your surroundings, properly train your staff, through the traditional PSL licensing process, as well as seeking out additional training to get an idea of what to do when something happens. Are -- is there anything club patrons should keep in mind? The run and hide mantra is for everybody. For the general public, in a situation like this, your first opportunity is to get out and move away from the shots, don't back, bring people with you. For the high part, if you are trapped in a room, keep quiet and turn off your cell phone ringers, you can still communicate, don't make sounds. The last thing, fight, if the opportunity presents itself. I'm sure in Orlando, the shooter had to reload and there might've been an opportunity for somebody to do something. The message is the same for the public, for our clients, they have to be the facilitators of the run, hide, fight. If people don't know what to do they have to be the directors of what's going on. I think for management and security teams, they have to accept the fact that if the opportunity presents itself, you can fight the shooter, do everything you can. Commit to taking that person down, if you have training in the area of tactical defense, use it. If you don't, use your instincts. Very serious advice. I've been speaking with Manny Marquez, vice president of nightclub security consultants. Vigils were held in major cities across the nation last night including here in San Diego. It's already been noted that the shooting that killed 49 people, took place at the time, many communities are holding their annual LGBT pride celebrations. San Diego pride will take place in the middle of July. The tragedy in Orlando is likely to mark the celebration and the security surrounding it. Joining me is Stephen Whitburn, executive director of San Diego pride. Welcome. Did you attend last night's vigil? I did. What stood out? The Sears size of the crowd, I haven't seen that many people in the LGBT community get together in one place, for something like that since the protest following prop eight. I hadn't seen many of those people for years, it got to how many people room really touched -- were really touched by what happened in Orlando. After dark, there are candles, and flowers under the Hillcrest flag at University and normal. The flag was at half staff. All of those candles really drove it home, how many victims were warp. What's been your reaction to the nations and the world's response to the mass shooting in Orlando? Everybody is concerned about security. That's understandable, as we learn more about what has happened, I think that we need to be paying very close attention to security, we cannot extrapolate too much from the incident in Orlando and what happened in LA. It may be the case that what happened in LA wasn't tied to LA pride in any way. You mean the person that said they were on their way to do something during the LA pride parade? Right. They found the sky in Santa Monica with a car full of explosives. We don't know what that was about, he did say he was planning to go to LA pride, but it's not clear that he was planning to do something there. It doesn't appear connected to what happened in Orlando, that seems like a very specific incident. I don't feel as though, I don't think other people's it feel as though, -- they both happen on the same night, there's a real coincidence they are, that makes people think. I don't know that we can really say, that there is a broader plot to attack gay events. I don't feel that. What I do feel, is that people want to feel safe at LGBT events and any event. We are certainly taking that into consideration at San Diego pride. We talked to the police department in advance of pride every year. As you would expect from we have hundred thousand people at a parade and there are security plans that are sophisticated for San Diego PRIDE . There are some things you see, there are other things that you do that nobody sees, to ensure the crowd a safe. I think this year, we will see a significant law enforcement presence to help assure people that the police are present. There will be officers in uniform, plainclothes officers will be there. The police have shared that they have been in touch with the FBI, there are no specific credible threats against San Diego. We're going to do everything, reasonably possible with the police to ensure the event is safe, but the people who attend see that safety and feel safe. I know in the past you've said, you rely a lot on the volunteers for PRIDE. To keep their eyes open, be on the watch, make sure things are moving safely. Anything you want to tell volunteers is your? We are going to be telling our volunteers, 1200 strong, our 200 parade contingents and the 100,000 people in attendance, to keep their eyes open for anything that appears unusual. That something people should do at any time. Particularly, with security on everyone's minds, if anything seems out of the ordinary, please let somebody know. Everybody's happy to check these things out. That's what happened in Santa Monica. This fellow was knocking on people's doors, they reported it as a prowler, the police responded and found explosives. You never know what something that seems relatively simple as going to produce. The more vigilance the better. Is there anything specifically you bite from the city in terms of security for PRIDE We are fortunate in San Diego to have a very sophisticated, very experienced Police Department with long familiarity with San Diego PRIDE. I feel we are in good hands. I am confident, that they know what they're doing and they will do everything prudent and possible to ensure the safety of San Diego PRIDE . Aside from whatever extra precautions may be taken this year, how do you see the Orlando shooting's changing the nature of PRIDE this year? We are going to be having tributes to the victims, both at the beginning and at the end of the parade. At the beginning, the motorcycle start things off, it's a big cheer. Several minutes before that, we will have people walked down the route, 50 of them carrying signs with the names and ages of those who lost their lives in the shooting in Orlando. It will create an opportunity for people to acknowledge what happened, before we get into what for many, is a celebratory part of the parade. At the end of the parade, where we have very long PRIDE flag , we will encourage everyone to walk the parade themselves behind that in memory of the victims. That will be quite a spectacle. I know a lot of people will participate. I expect a bigger parade, because so many people want to come together and show their solidarity. That's what PRIDE is all about . PRIDE in San Diego is a weekend long event that fit -- begins on July 15. I've been speaking with Stephen Whitburn. Right after the news, a new law tries to head out the popularity of the drug known as "spice". You are listening to KPBS Midday Edition