Adequate Security Vowed for Long Beach Grand Prix

The Long Beach mayor and police chief met with media Tuesday afternoon, promising broad and "strong" security for this weekend's Grand Prix security in light of the Boston Marathon attack.

"We will again have a strong, multi-faceted security plan in place to deliver the best experience to our visitors," Mayor Bob Foster said (see full speech below). "We continue to monitor developments in the ongoing Boston investigation and are in contact with state and federal law enforcement partners.  There are neither specific nor credible threats to this week's activities - I want that to be very clear." 

For its part, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach issued a statement addressing what it labeled public security at the three-day race. Race spokesman Chris Esslinger said more than 170,000 spectators are expected this year.

Tuesday afternoon, Jim Michaelian, president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, issued a statement:

“The Grand Prix Association of Long Beach will be working in conjunction with the Long Beach Police Department, Fire Department, city and other agencies in taking appropriate measures to provide for the safety of our fans, workers and participants at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend.”

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster's address follows, and Patch will update this story as we get additional news.

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We are 3,000 miles away from Boston but like every corner of this country, Monday was a day that we hoped we would never see. 

It's difficult to express the profound sadness we all feel for the families and friends affected by this horrible event. 

There are a several members of the Long Beach City staff that hail from Boston or her suburbs and I know there is a great sense of heartbreak over such senseless violence on a day the is so quintessentially Boston. But I also know that Mayor Menino and the greater Boston community will move forward from this horrific event together and please know that the thoughts and prayers of the City of Long Beach are with you all. 

Here in Long Beach, we are coming into Grand Prix weekend. The Long Beach Grand Prix showcases this great city every year as we welcome the world's top Indy Car drivers. 

Long Beach is used to hosting large events -- I believe we are now in our 39th year of the Grand Prix -- and we will again have a strong, multi-faceted security plan in place to deliver the best experience to our visitors. 

We continue to monitor developments in the ongoing Boston investigation and are in contact with state and federal law enforcement partners.  There are neither specific nor credible threats to this week's activities - I want that to be very clear. 

As you make your way down for the race week events, know that the City of Long Beach and the Grand Prix Association will take all appropriate measures to protect the public's security -- some of these measure will be visible, some will not. 

The City will welcome 175,000 people for this week's events.  We look forward to another year of great races and we only ask three things of you when you come down: 
·        Be courteous and patient with your fellow race fans, personnel and our public safety officials. 
·        If you do see anything that concerns you, and we talk about this all the time with our residents here, don't think twice-just call 911. 
·        And finally, we want you to enjoy your time with family and friends at the outstanding events we have lined up for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Now, I'd like to turn this over to Police Chief Jim McDonnell for further remarks.