The ever-escalating issues between the city of Miami and Ultra Music Festival have further been pushed in the spot light as festival representatives finally responded to angry demands from Miami Mayor Regalado to kick the three day festival out f the city entirely. As city officials continue to draw up new wishes, the organizers have kept silent, awaiting the results from a comprehensive review of all security procedures and tactics, announced through an official statement.
Regarding Ultra 2014’s security plans, it was revealed that over 250 police officers were hired, of which a little over a hundred were stationed outside the event. In the report, Miami business exec Rodney Barreto stated that an additional 300 odd private guards also provided security detail. However, the opposing side continues to pinpoint the faults found in the security plan. First and foremost, regarding the stampede incident , Miami’s finest warned the organizers of a weak gap where the trampling occurred, however no steps were taken to reinforce that area. Secondly, whilst Ultra was submitting plans for the city’s review, Ultra demonstrated plans to supply G8 fencing, sturdier, taller fences used to keep protesters out at G8 summits. However, these fences were never installed, in place of which, regular double chain- link fences were put up.
Miami’s Commissioner, Marc Sarnoff has continued his push to eradicate UMF’s 2015 return to Miami, despite the mammoth loss in tourism income. He said,
“I’ve looked at YouTube and Twitter. The injuries that have been sustained, the stampede, no amount of money cures that. Nothing is going to change until [Ultra organizers] acknowledge they need to find a new venue outside the urban core.”
Ultra organizers are maintaining silence as they await results of the review that decides their future in Miami at an April 10th commission meeting.
via Miami Herald &
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