TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Police are ramping up patrols this Halloween weekend in Ybor City.
“I hate that it does get a bad rep, but I'm thankful to know that they are putting in additional security to try and help us all out,” Alexandria Belk said.
It's been almost a year since two people were shot and killed and 16 injured when a fight broke out this lively area, frightening those like Alexandria Belk. This weekend, officers will be in plain clothes, bicycles, horseback, in air service and monitoring cameras.
“I did go a couple of weeks without coming out here because I didn't really know what to expect,” Belk said.
It's also concerning those who grew up in the area, like Abi Nix, who said it was rough on bar and restaurant staff.
“All of my friends that were down here said that they experienced a drop in nightly tips from like five to eight hundred dollars a night to maybe two to three hundred dollars a night for about three or four months following that,” Nix said.
Saturday night, Nix produced a benefit show helping people find mental health services. She's hopeful that this weekend, everyone will be safe.
“You just have to hope that people keep their wits about them, and they don't get to wilding out,” Nix said.
“Hopefully nothing happens. It would be helpful if police were checking ID's and stuff like that because there are a lot of underage people that are just roaming around. Just an extra added layer of security, Nix said.
Tampa police are hosting “Ybor Night Out” on Tuesday in honor of the victims from last October’s shooting and to show that Tampa stands together for safety.
Police said Tuesday will mark one year since the shooting. There will be a candlelight vigil at "Ybor Night Out" to honor the lives lost.