Police are preparing for heightened security challenges at outdoor venues following the Las Vegas massacre at Route 91 Harvest music festival.
A prime example — South Florida’s Bayfront Park, home to Ultra Miami Festival. The Miami Police Department is already taking a closer look at preparations for the 20th anniversary event scheduled to go down March 23, 24, and 25 in 2018.
Acting Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina said he is “incredibly saddened by the images on TV and horrified as well.”
He and his team are taking the recent events seriously, going over possible worst-case scenarios: “Las Vegas, we have a lot of outside venues with the weather and people want to be outside. We train and go over scenarios, active shooter scenarios where people are reminded to get where the shooter is.”
With so many tall buildings close to Bayfront Park in downtown Miami, police officials must reassess security.
“It’s something to consider now that we meet with the folks from Ultra since you mention it and we will speak specifically about some issues,” Colina said. “In the past we have talked about putting people place as spotters on rooftops of buildings on close proximity and this is always something to keep in mind.”
Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez says the public can help prevent such tragedies by staying aware and vigilant — pay attention to neighborhood happenings, what people are saying, and call 911 if there is any suspicion.
“We would rather be called and be nothing than to risk what happened in Las Vegas.”
Source: CBS Miami