TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Hundreds of thousands of people flock to Tampa for Gasparilla, the area’s largest event, every year.

As new security concerns are surfacing in light of the recent attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Tampa Bay leaders said they’re making safety a priority.

Video from the FBI shows what they said is 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar on one of at least two trips to New Orleans in the months before the deadly rampage on New Years Day.

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw says that same man spent three days in Tampa before the attack.

“I am aware of a report from the FBI that the man behind the New Orleans attacks traveled to the Tampa area,” he explained. “We are not aware of any threats at this time, but we are working closely with the FBI.”

FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joshua Delmanzo said they’re now trying to figure out why Jabbar came to Tampa in the first place.

In the meantime, Delmanzo said the FBI will be stepping in to ensure Gasparilla doesn’t suffer the same fate.

“In response to the deadly New Year’s attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the FBI will commit additional intelligence, technical and response resources to help bolster efforts in preserving public safety for the Gasparilla parades and festivities,” he explained.

From the children’s parade to the Gasparilla Distance Classic, and of course, the infamous parade of pirates, hundreds of thousands of people will soon be packing Tampa’s streets and waterways.

Though there is a safety plan in place, local leaders said they’re counting on you to help.

“There’s old-fashioned tapping someone on the shoulder, saying, ‘Hey something doesn’t look right, something seems weird,’ to calling, to emailing — lots of digital aspects,” FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell said. “I cannot, again, stress enough: We need your help.”

“Our plan is in place,” he continued. “Our partners are here; we have a great plan.”

“There is no threat,” he added. “Have a good time, but please, with all sincerity, if you see something say something.”

With hundreds of thousands of people preparing to flock to Tampa, what’s being done to ensure that many people stay safe?

“We will be monitoring from our real time crime center, from the air, and even on boat,” Bercaw said.

He explained that his officers will be working by foot, air and sea.

Tampa Fire Rescue plans to have medics and nurses from Tampa General Hospital on foot, golf carts, bikes and boats.

The Emergency Operations Center will also be activated for city, county, state and federal representatives to give immediate assistance if an emergency should arise.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Capt. Matt Dellarosa said you can also expect plenty of boats in the bay.

“We’ve had years where there’s been 30,000 – 40,000,” he said.

News Channel 8 reporter Nicole Rogers asked, “Obviously for Gasparilla, there are so many boats on the water, what do people need to know if they want to take a boat out?”

“Boaters are going to show up, understand the safety zone, understand the safety equipment they need for their vessels and again, make sure they designate a sober operator,” Dellarosa responded.

The US Coast Guard will be enforcing a federal safety zone during pirate invasion, meaning any vessel joining on the water will be required to stay 50 feet away from parade vessels to ensure everyone’s safety.