AUSTIN, Texas — In the days since the shooting outside a bar on West 6th Street that took the lives of three people and injured several others, the community has been in mourning, and it’s left some on edge. Questions around safety and security have been raised with South by Southwest (SXSW) and spring break getting underway. The Austin Police Department (APD) addressed those concerns this week.

Thousands of people are expected to flock to Austin for SXSW and spring break. In the wake of the recent tragic shooting, APD is assuring people that safety continues to be top of mind at events throughout the city in the coming days.

“In light of the recent 6th Street incident, things do feel a little bit different this year,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson.

The shooting has shaken the Austin community, leaving some on edge about being in large social gatherings.

“I think lately, just with the political climate of the world and geopolitics kind of heating up in general, I’m for sure more wary than I honestly ever have been in my life of social settings with big crowds,” said Zachary Dyck, an Austin resident who is going to SXSW.

Immediately following the shooting, questions were raised about security at SXSW and whether APD would increase its presence.

“I feel confident that the resources we have in play, SXSW will continue on, and it will be a safe festival season,” said APD Chief Lisa Davis during a press conference on March 2. 

With SXSW underway and spring break starting, city officials say preparations for the upcoming events have been in the works since the end of last year’s SXSW.

“Our No. 1 priority is to keep everyone safe here, but what I want everyone to know in the city, and I want everyone to know that’s coming into the city, the APD is fully staffed for this event, and we are fully prepared,” Davis said during a press conference on March 11.

Those Spectrum News 1 spoke to attending SXSW say they feel some anxiety but a sense of reassurance with how emergency services responded to last week’s shooting.

“It does give me some peace of mind that our emergency services do respond so rapidly, and they are being vigilant,” Dyck said.