CLEVELAND — Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the deaths of two teenagers following the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in Cleveland’s Town Square.

Visitors will notice security improvements for this year’s WinterLand event on Saturday.

If you haven’t been to Public Square recently, there’s a new high-tech camera on the grounds, and for the tree lighting, there’s security you won’t see.

The event draws to a close with last minute decorations and rink preparations.

“It’s become a staple for downtown families,” said Ed Eckart, senior vice president of downtown Cleveland operations.

Last year, a double shooting made headlines.

Two teenagers were shot and injured in a Cleveland town square.

Two teenagers shot in public on Saturday evening

“Personally, I was so saddened and disappointed when I got that call last year there had been a shooting in the town square,” Eckart said.

A year ago, Cleveland police first received a report of fights between teenagers. It was about two hours after the tree lighting.

“They’re fighting and running. Gunshots, gunshots,” the police radio call was heard.

The gunshots injured a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old.

Surveillance video from the Cuyahoga County Soldiers and Sailors Monument captured people scattering in all directions and officers taking cover with weapons drawn.

Mother questions safety after 2023 town square shooting.

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Allison Gilgenbach and her husband protected their two daughters in Tower City.

“I picked the kids up and held them both because I had no idea what was going on,” Gilgenbach said.

Last September, a juvenile court judge sentenced a teenager for shooting into a crowd.

“People are honestly worried or wondering if downtown is safe and if downtown is safe,” Eckart said.

Cleveland police declined to speak to News 5 investigators about this year’s event.

Eckart says his organization is ready.

“This is our town square in Cleveland. We don’t want to make it a military zone, but there is a balance to be found,” Eckart said.

Last month they installed a smart camera.

The city’s Real Time Crime Center can access the live feed.

New high-tech camera installed in the public square.

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Eckart says they also monitor social media at the emergency operations center for things like street takeovers to stop any problems before they reach downtown.

“No negative or derogatory information was discovered. I would say we’re all watching the weather right now,” Eckart said.

“It was 100 percent a very unfortunate situation last year,” Fahrenheit owner and chef Rocco Whalen said.

Whalen says Clevelanders truly love the holidays and WinterLand festivities are no exception.

“100% enthusiasm, how can you not be like the city, the way the Cavs play downtown is not just gentrified and booming, it’s here, I wouldn’t have done the things that I made in the spaces that I based on that,” Whalen said.

Whalen says if there are problems, finding a police officer shouldn’t be difficult.

“Right above our shoulders, CPD with their lights on right over there, that’s CPD. I’m saying words based on this, this is my community, this is my neighborhood, I chose to come and be a part of it, so get out there, get ready and bundle up because we’re ready to go,” Whalen said.

In a statement, Bedrock said anyone visiting Tower City before the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian with them.

The WinterLand event begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, including pre-show festivities with tree lighting at 6 p.m. followed by fireworks.

Click here to learn more about WinterLand.