Extra Security for New Year’s Eve and Film Festival events

Preparations continue for the Palm Springs New Year’s Eve Countdown and for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Tens of thousands of people will be here for these high profile events over the next 2 weeks and security will be high after the mass shooting in San Bernardino.

At the Spa Resort Casino, the stage is getting set for a night of fun, but it’s a much different world than the last time an outdoor New Years Eve event was hosted in the city and security measures reflect that.

“It’s been many many years since there has been anything like this and nothing on this scale before,” said Spa Resort Casino Assistant GM Kari Stout-Smith.

Hundreds of people are expected to watch a light-up palm tree countdown to the New Year as fireworks light up the sky.

“This is going to be a free event, but also very safe and family friendly,” said Stout-Smith.

The Spa Resort Casino said there will be security you can see and some you won’t.

“In addition to our own security task force we are going to have 16 off-duty Palm Springs Police Department officers here supporting us and we have also contracted with outside agencies that handle events like Coachella,” said Stout-Smith.

The Spa Resort Casino did reassess its security plan after San Bernardino.

“We went back and looked at the plans and made sure we were comfortable with them, but we’ve stepped up our measures here. I think everyone has in light of recent events and want to make sure that guests who come to our facilities always feel safe and comfortable,” said Stout-Smith.

After we ring in the New Year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival kicks off. The stars will walk the red carpet on January 2nd at the convention center surrounded by new levels of security.

“We review security actions from the year before and this year we have enhanced them,” said Lt. Mike Kovaleff with the Palm Springs Police Department.

Fans attending the gala this year can expect more security as well. What specifically those measures are, the Police Department is not yet able to tell us.

“We’ve added resources and added personnel, this thing will be adequately protected just like any other event in the city of Palm Springs,” said Kovaleff.

People we’ve talked to say, they do feel safe in the city.

“Knowing there are professionals out there thinking about (security) more than you are, it’s great. Then you can feel safe when you are coming to a great city like this,” said Michael Goddard.

“I’m not worried about it, but it’s on your mind,” said Val Trotter.

Whether screening a film or counting down to midnight, organizers want people to feel safe and have fun, but also to be aware of their surroundings.

If you see something say something!

Tickets for 21 and older seats to the Palm Springs New Year’s Eve Countdown are available at sparesortcasino.com