People at the House of China event in Balboa Park say they welcome the additional security, NBC 7’s Kelvin Henry reports.
The San Diego Police Department plans to increase officer presence at local Lunar New Year celebrations in the weeks following Saturday night's mass shooting at a ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park.
Ten people were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in the attack that occurred at 10:22 p.m. Saturday at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park.
"Our hearts are with community members of Monterey Park as they lean upon each other for strength and healing during this difficult time. Although there are no known threats here in San Diego, you will see an increased police presence at our events here," SDPD Chief David Nisleit tweeted Sunday.
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The City Heights Lunar New Year Festival was scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. An event organizer said the festival would go as planned, featuring folk and traditional performances, arts and cultural exhibitions, lion dances, firecrackers and family activities.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said investigators were unsure if the Monterey Park shooting was connected to a nearby Lunar New Year celebration. Still, he said he would be attending a similar event on Sunday, and encouraged the public to continue celebrating the holiday.
San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee reacted to the shooting by saying "we are heartbroken for the loss of life in Monterey Park and share our condolences to the many families impacted as we await additional details regarding this tragic incident.
"We recognize the resilience of our AAPI communities and ask that the entire San Diego community stand with them throughout this time."
Councilman Lee was at Sunday's House of China's celebration at Balboa Park. In addition to the increase in police patrols, Lee spoke with NBC 7 on the community protecting each other.
"But really, as a community together, I think we can work together to ensure that we are keeping an eye out for each other," Lee said. He expects the police patrols to extend beyond the weekend.
"San Diego PD has actually been at every event. They are a part of the celebrations we've had. They've been speaking with residents and I think you'll probably continue to see them at events, not just this weekend but throughout the next couple weeks," Lee said.
More on Mass Shooting:
The shooting was the worst mass shooting in Los Angeles County since a man killed 10 people, including himself, in Covina in 2008.
