LA reacts to Boston bombings

Listen to the full audio story

Download the MP3

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's response to the bombings in Boston includes a call to the public.

"In an incident like this where crowds are the target, you're going to know before we do," Beck said. "We need that knowledge to keep you safe. If you see something, say something."

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck addressed reporters about his department's response to the attack in Boston.

The chief repeated that phrase several times during the police commissioners meeting Tuesday morning. He said his police department will also send out more patrol officers. He said post-9-11, the procedure for responding to terrorist attacks has essentially remained the same.

"Nothing in this response is different from other responses when there have been incidents or the terror threat level has been raised," Beck said. "Unfortunately this is the new normal."

Other groups across L.A. are also heightening security. At the airport, Police Chief Patrick Gannon says they're concerned, but they haven't called off any flights.

"Out of an abundance of caution we're making sure that we have high visibility to assure the traveling public that they're safety is our number one concern and priority."

The Long Beach Police Department also addressed security issues for it's upcoming Grand Prix Weekend Tuesday afternoon.

At USC, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is expected to draw a crowd this weekend. USC's Department of Public Safety is also upping security. Captain David Carlisle says they've asked for an on-call bomb-sniffing dog and more LAPD officers to help out with the festival.

And students say they'll probably go to the festival anyway.

"I'm not going to live in fear," junior Brett Fromson said. "That's just what these people want. They can't scare us." He said one of his friends told him he'll make a point of going to the Boston Marathon next year to prove that terrorist attacks don't work.

Another student says fear doesn't help much anyway.

"It's one of those things that you want to look out for," fifth-year senior Jonathan Kelly said. "But there's nothing you can really do about it."

Except call LAPD at (877) A THREAT if you see something suspicious.