Employees return to work at site of San Bernardino, Calif., attack

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Security was tight and the mood was somber as employees returned to the site of the December terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif.

Guards checked identification badges Monday as employees arrived at the parking lot of the Inland Regional Center. No visitors will be allowed inside for at least one week.

"As you can imagine, it has been a very difficult time for us and we're very glad to be back at our IRC home," facility executive director Lavinia Johnson told reporters Monday morning.

Counselors were also on hand to help staff and a private reception was held for those returning. At noon, the office closed so staff members could attend a memorial service for the 14 killed and 22 wounded in the Dec. 2 mass shooting.

"Most of us are relieved to be back at work," Johnson said. "We want to continue with the normalcy, and we miss each other very much. We want to ensure that our staff feels safe and secure as they work in their offices."

More than a month ago the center held a training session and holiday party for San Bernardino County Department of Public Health employees when 28-year-old health inspector Syed Rizwan Farook and his 29-year-old wife,Tashfeen Malik went on a shooting spree. The two were shot and killed by police a few hours later.

The center three buildings hold 600 employees who arrange services for more than 30,000 people with developmental disabilities in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, east of Los Angeles. The building in which the shooting took place has remained close since then and it is not known when or if the building will be reopened.

As employees entered the still fenced and screen off parking lot, Ron Pollakoff, 41, of San Bernardino held up a sign reading: "I (heart) IRC."

Pollakoff is a client at the center and wanted to show his support.

"I'm just saddened that something like this would happen at a place that helps so many unfortunate people," he said.