Sheriff John Rutherford says his police force is beefing up security for the city's inaugural One Spark Festival. It's a routine precaution in the wake of Monday's deadly bombings at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The attack in Boston killed three and injured nearly 150 more.
Rutherford says to expect added police presence for One Spark, although he urges the public not to worry.
"We are beefing up security, but we want people to come downtown, enjoy themselves, and conduct themselves as usual," he told First Coast Connect this morning.
Thousands are expected to head to the urban core for One Spark, which kicks off April 17th and runs through the weekend. It's Jacksonville's first-ever crowdfunding festival, where artists and innovators compete for a share of a $250,000 prize fund.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is part of a regional counter-terrorism task force which works to identify and eliminate potential threats to public safety.
