Residents and visitors in Downtown El Paso need not be concerned if they notice an unusual gathering of law enforcement on Friday. The FBI El Paso Field Office has planned a training exercise at the El Paso Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. As reported by KTSM, the exercise will involve local, state, and federal agencies but is not tied to any specific threat or current global events.
While the training is said to pose no risk to the public or interfere with daily commutes, the FBI has made preparations to keep the public informed and maintain tranquility in the community. As obtained by the El Paso Times, the public has been advised of the presence of tactically trained personnel and various law enforcement vehicles participating in the exercise, which is solely for Crisis Negotiations Certification training. The FBI has reiterated that this is not an active shooter simulation.
The downtown area may see a concentration of activity around the Judson F. Williams Convention Center, yet the drill is not open to the public. Despite the visible preparations, the FBI El Paso has taken steps to minimize any concerns by elucidating the nature of the training in advance. According to KVIA, an FBI spokesperson explained, "This exercise will not pose risks to area residents, nor should it disrupt commuters in any fashion."
