PEORIA, Ill. – Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk’s murder Wednesday at Utah Valley University is raising strong concerns about his security detail that accompanied him on campus.
Peoria Police Chief Eric Echevarria says his department pays close attention to what happens at the national level, and he questions if enough was done to protect Kirk before he spoke to students out in the open.
The chief tells WMBD’s “Greg and Dan” when big crowds are involved here, PPD is prepared for just about anything.
“Once we get to the venue, we walk through the venue. We do this with our civic center. We have a great relationship with our security there. We walk our bomb dogs through the event. We make sure all areas are secure prior to the event, and then we hold it,” Echevarria says.
Echevarria says he understands Kirk’s death likely has people even more worried about being in large crowds.
He says the PPD’s officers are trained to handle a number of emergency situations, including those where a political figure is involved.
“For events like that, we’re using our special weapons and tactics teams. Our SWAT teams are going to be used. We’re going to use officers who train three times a month, who have that specialty training, that dignitary training…and we have our snipers and our ‘go teams’ in there,” Echevarria says.
The police chief says a great example of the extensive planning that goes into keeping the public safe is Red, White and Boom on the Fourth of July.
Echevarria says in the wake of this tragedy, even more security measures may be added next summer to keep the crowds safe.
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