SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City police said they're stepping up patrols and visibility downtown this weekend as tens of thousands of visitors arrive for the 195th Semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This year's gathering comes one week after the deadly church shooting in Michigan and the death of the church's leader, President Russell M. Nelson.
Police told KSL-TV they will have additional officers on patrol throughout the downtown area, along with a team of detectives monitoring activity.
"The police are aware and will be out and about watching for anything that could become a potential threat," said detective Greg Lovell with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
The department said it's working closely with church security, UTA and other local agencies to help keep crowds safe and traffic moving.
Visitors are being urged to plan ahead and expect heavy foot traffic, limited parking and construction-related delays near Temple Square. UTA is encouraging conferencegoers to use TRAX, FrontRunner and bus service, reminding riders that conference tickets are accepted as fare on participating routes. The funeral services for President Nelson will also be "ticket as fare."
Police are also reminding people to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.
"Any time you get a high number of people in one area, you want to definitely keep an eye on your surroundings, and call in if you see anything that looks suspicious or out of place," Lovell said.
Anyone with tips or safety concerns during general conference weekend can contact Salt Lake City police's nonemergency line at 801-799-3000, or call 911 for immediate threats.
