In the wake of the Orlando massacre, officials in D.C. are stepping up security measures to keep residents and visitors safe.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier said she began reassigning officers within minutes of when she was notified about 6 a.m. Sunday of the Orlando attack on a gay nightclub.
"Within the first 45 minutes to an hour, we just started moving some resources around here," Lanier said in a news conference Monday.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said D.C. is accustomed to responding quickly to potential security threats.
"We always operate at a heightened state here in the District of Columbia. We know that we're a target because we're the nation's capital," she said. "We're going to live. We're not going to be scared off by terrorists or hate-filled people with big guns."
Lanier said she is regularly being briefed by federal authorities on the investigation into the Orlando attack.
Increased security techniques, like the pat-downs performed at the gay pride festival this past weekend in D.C. may become more commonplace, Lanier said.
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"As we get information over the next several days, we'll continue to reevaluate and rethink what we do, she said.
D.C. police meet once per quarter with bar and club owners to discuss security protocols, the police chief said.
Security analyst Peter LaPorte said the D.C. region can never lower its guard.
"What I'd like to see more of is exercises -- more drills, more training. Just continue to be vigilant," he said.
Lanier reminded residents and visitors that if you see something, say something.
"If you see something that's out of place in today's environment, don't hesitate to call because you don't think it's an emergency," she said. Pick up the phone and call 911."
