The LAPD today said it was sending “undercover” officers to area theaters as a precaution in the wake of the massacre of film-goers at a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado.

“In regard to what happened in Colorado, there will be spot checks,” an officer told the Weekly.

In a statement the department said uniformed cops would also be a high-visibility presence at theaters and other public events in the wake of the tragedy:

Today, and in the immediate future, the LAPD will be providing hi-visibility patrol to major theaters in Los Angeles, as well as other sporting events, concerts and crowded venues. Our presence will be both uniformed officers as well as undercover officers.

… Even though there is no apparent connection between Los Angeles and the incident in Aurora, we will be increasing both uniformed presence and undercover surveillance at Movie Theaters and other venues where large crowds gather.

The move to put undercover cops in theaters and at other events wasn't entirely unprecedented, a department official told us. She noted that plain-clothes vice officers do regular spot checks at adult theaters.

Today LAPD Chief Charlie Beck reacted to the Colorado massacre, stating:

I am outraged by the cowardly attack on innocent movie patrons in Colorado last night. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those innocent victims. Since Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, it is important that we all remain vigilant and do everything we can to prevent incidents like this from occurring in our Communities. Remember, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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