LAPD, LA Sheriff's maintain 'heightened awareness' in wake of Nice attack
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - In light of a deadly attack in Nice, France Thursday, the Los Angeles County sheriff's and police departments announced that there were no specific or credible threats received by law enforcement for the greater Los Angeles area.
Deputies are maintaining "a heightened state of situational awareness," according to a sheriff's department statement that expressed solidarity with and sympathy for those directly and indirectly affected by the attack, during which a driver drove a truck into a crowd of many dozens of Bastille Day revelers who had gathered for a fireworks display and then opened fire. Others were injured, some of them seriously, according to news reports.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nice, France as they work to deal with the challenging and troubling circumstances created by this horrific attack," according to the sheriff's department statement.
"Los Angeles County is made up of a unique and diverse population. It is home to people from all over the world, including France. We stand united with our French residents, locally and globally. We at the LA County Sheriff's
Department send compassion and prayers to those families who lost loved ones today."
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a tweet expressing similar sentiments. "We mourn this senseless loss of life," he wrote. "Angelenos stand with the people of France in this moment of pain and sorrow."
The Los Angeles Police Department also expressed solidarity with "French residents all around the world."
"As the people of Nice, France work to deal with the tragic and horrific attack, our thoughts and prayers are with them," police said. The sheriff's and police departments also sought to reassure area residents.
"The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department employs thousands of uniformed deputy sheriffs who are on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, patrolling and protecting the many diverse and varying communities we serve...," officials said.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, "there are no known credible threats to the city of Los Angeles," but residents and visitors should "be vigilant; always aware of your surroundings."
"If you see something suspicious, report it to iWatch," according to a department statement that explained that the iWatch LA App is a free terrorism reporting app available for download on Google and also available to
Android and IOS users.
French officials have said the attack appears to be the work of extremist Islamic terrorists.
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