Safety plan for 5/14 Remembrance: Security professionals share how police reacts

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)-- Memorial services and remembrance events will be held throughout Buffalo. The Tops on Jefferson Avenue will be the focal point this weekend, and there will be a visible security presence to ensure everybody is safe.

" Law enforcement existence in addition to ours is created to deter people from doing anything radical," Pastor James Giles of the WNY Peacemakers said. "

Security at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue will be stepped up this weekend according to Buffalo Police. Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia stated while he will not discuss specific information, the department will have a significant presence to ensure security.

Mario Rodriguez is a security expert and says the security plan starts with a danger and vulnerability evaluation to ensure everything is searched and monitored correctly.

" Trash cans being searched, bomb dogs out, sniper on roofings. There's going to be what we call an inside, outside method, a layered approach where that area is going to be. Your going to have all of the locations around that are going to be vulnerabilities also," Rodriguez, president of Forseti Protection Group, added.

Pastor Giles and the WNY Peacemakers will also be there to make neighborhood members more comfy during an emotional weekend.

" That kind of hatred, it's capable of doing something like this at any time. We attempt to set up safeguards to prepare and secure individuals. It is our hope that nobody is plotting or scheming on that," Giles discussed. "People tend to look at us as one of them simply out there working to ensure everyone is safe. We are trained to console individuals who are under tension or pressure."

I also motivate you to look for situational awareness in your approach. Know where your exits are, what choices you have to get away from circumstances," Rodriguez concluded.

Other police such as the Erie County Sheriff's Office will be on scene all weekend, supporting the Buffalo Police, which is the main firm. Also, the Peacemakers will be across the street from Tops, losing consciousness food and helping residents through this hard weekend.

Tara Lynch is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team as a reporter in 2022. She previously operated at WETM in Elmira, N.Y., a sister station of News 4. You can follow Tara on Facebook and Twitter and discover more of her work here.