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Dover PD will step up security for NASCAR & Firefly following Las Vegas shooting

Photo courtesy of Firefly
Large events like Firefly and NASCAR are held in Dover every year. And now, in the wake of a mass shooting in Las Vegas at a country music festival, Dover Police say they need to step up efforts to keep people safe.

Large events like Firefly and NASCAR are held in Dover every year. And now, in the wake of a mass shooting in Las Vegas at a country music festival, Dover Police say they need to step up efforts to keep people safe.

A lone gunman used several semi-automatic rifles to shoot into a crowd  attending a country music concert in Las Vegas on Sunday, October 1. Fifty eight people were killed and hundreds of others injured in that incident.

Dover Police Corporal Mark Hoffman says although the department never publicly discusses specific strategies or tactics when it comes to large events, they do plan to step up efforts to keep people safe.

 

"When incidents like this occur, we do take them into consideration. They do get discussed in our meetings with Dover Speedway, Red Frog and other entities throughout the state and federal agencies when planning for large events such as Firefly,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman adds if there are any precautions police agencies can take to avoid a similar incident like the one in Vegas, they will take them.

 

Hoffman says the biggest thing anyone can do to protect yourself when you’re in a large crowd is remain aware and alert.

“I know a lot of people look at it as a cliche, but if you see something suspicious report it. Just report it to a security guard. Report it to a police officer. Just look out for each other when you’re attending these large events, whether it by Firefly, NASCAR or any other event across the United States,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman notes the good thing about an event like Firefly is that it's held in an area not surrounded by tall buildings like the Las Vegas concert. But it is surrounded by woods, creating the possibility someone could sneak in past a security check. Hoffman says police take that into consideration and plan to step up patrols.

 

Should there ever be a mass shooting or other tragic event here in Delaware, Hoffman says Dover Police would coordinate with Delaware State Police, DEMA and other agencies to deal with the situation.

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.