Rainbow Flag added to city hall flagpole for Orlando victims
Dpty Chief Salerno increases patrols as community organizes 10 p.m. Friday Fundraiser for Victims' Families at Paradise
Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said she was heartbroken when the news broke of the early Sunday morning mass shooting in Orlando, Fla.
“We are just trying to show our support for the devastating loss in the gay community and all of our communities,” she said Monday afternoon following the raising of the rainbow flag, a representation of LGBT pride.
Members of the Asbury Park governing body and community gathered at 2 p.m. Monday at 1 Municipal Plaza to join in solidarity for the flag’s addition to city hall’s flagpole.
“The Asbury Park gay and lesbian community supports our brothers and sisters down in Orlando,” said Connie Breech. “We keep their families and the victims, [29] of them still in the hospital and some fighting for their lives, in our prayers and thoughts.”
Breech said when she heard the news it was all too reminiscent of the September 11 tragedy.
“Whether something like this happens a thousand miles away or ten miles away, it still hits you the same,” Breech said.
The gunman, Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, was shot and killed by law enforcement. According to an ABC News Monday afternoon report 45 of the 50 victims who died have been identified.
From the report:
City, state and federal officials are still investigating the deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, but have announced the names of most of the victims.
Officials say 50 people died in the attack at Pulse, a gay nightclub, and, Orlando police confirmed this morning that there were 49 victims killed and that the shooter was the 50th person. An additional 53 people were injured at the club.
Georgies, Hotel Tides, and Paradise owners and managers quickly rallied Sunday to hold a joint 9 p.m. vigil and moment of silence for the victims. Now the trio will hold a fundraising event 10 p.m. Friday at Paradise for the victims and their families.
[Sunday night vigil photos at right courtesy of Paradise’s Facebook page.]
“It’s really important that we do this as a community, as a whole for our community and for the whole country,” said David Hoffman of Georgies.
The 10 p.m. Friday Fundraiser will include a drag show and a silent auction featuring a host of prizes, 90 percent of them from Asbury Park businesses, Paradise’s Jo Jo Crisci said.
Hotel Tide’s Ryan Jamenez said 100 percent of the proceeds from the $5 donation at the door and the server’s tips will go toward support for the victim’s families.
Acting Chief Anthony Salerno met with the business owners following the ceremony to discuss security measures moving forward.
“We are very sympathetic of what took place in Orlando,” Salerno said in an interview following the ceremony. “Our prayers go out to their families.”
Salerno said he recommended a host of security measures, including the use of a wand to detect knives and guns.
“This is a major tragedy and something that cannot happen in Asbury Park,” Salerno said. “We don’t anticipate something like this happening in Asbury Park because this situation was an isolated incident but this can happen in other places. It is imperative that we all remain vigilant.”
His advice to the business – if something doesn’t feel right, get in touch with law enforcement. He said he advised them to call 911 and gave each venue manager’s his direct cellular phone number. Foot and zone car patrols are increased in and around the LGBT supported venues, he said.
“We do not talk about specific security procedures,” Salerno said. “What we are doing here in Asbury Park is to ensure the safety of all of our citizens, up to and including direct contact with the State Police and Homeland Security and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Salerno said he will meet with outside agencies to discuss not only immediate plans but to discuss plan for handling future events.
Among them will be this weekend’s Seventh Annual Equality Walk, slated to kick off 11 a.m. Saturday from Kennedy Park on Cookman Avenue to Convention Hall along the boardwalk.
According the their website, this year’s theme will be ‘Stepping Toward Lived Equality, ‘to reflects an emphasis on strengthening our recent wins in anti-bullying and marriage equality while continuing to push for protections for LGBT youth, seniors and the transgender community through our Teach and Affirm , Pledge and Protect and Map and Expand programs.’
“We are using all available resources to ensure the safety and security for everyone in Asbury Park,” Salerno said.
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