On Friday, 28-year-old private security guard Erica Mack was trampled by a mob of gate-crashing fans at this year's Ultra Music Festival. Now, Miami city officials are calling for the EDM festival to be shutdown, or at least taken out of Miami, as Mack continues to fight for her life (she remains hospitalized but is breathing on her own).
CBS affiliate WFOR and partner The Miami Herald report that Mayor Tomás Regalado will be proposing a resolution to deny the festival permits.
"What happened this weekend is an event that could have been avoided," said Mayor Regalado. "The organizers of Ultra did not follow the police directive to re-enforce the fence, even though they knew that this year, and the year before, some kids have tried to over run the fences. In the next weeks we are going to have a discussion on the city commission level to deny the permits for next year for the event here in the city of Miami."
In addition to the trampling incident, instances of drug use, gate jumpers and unruly festival-goers have caused problems for the Miami police. They made 76 arrests over the weekend, 28 of which were for felonies, and 118 attendees were treated by paramedics, according to WSVN. 160,000 fans attended the three-day event.
Regalado has condemned the festival for not properly securing the event after police called for additional fencing in the spot where the guard was injured. "The organizers of Ultra did not follow the police directive to reenforce the fence, even though they knew that this year, and the year before, some kids have tried to overrun the fences," he said.
The festival's organizers have released a statement in response to the event:
"The event organizers of Ultra Music Festival share the sentiments of our security partner, CSC, with regard to the condition of Erica Mack, the security guard currently receiving treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The Ultra Family hopes for a swift and full recovery.
The event organizers prohibit any form of unlawful entry in to the event grounds. Preliminary investigations show that the incident was caused by individuals not in possession of event tickets and who were determined to gain unauthorized entry.
Every year the event organizers work collaboratively with police and other municipal partners along with the organizers' independent security partners to ensure the safety of all patrons, crew and working personnel. Because a thorough investigation is underway, event organizers regret that additional comment cannot be provided at this time. The event coordinators are cooperating fully with investigative authorities."
However, not everyone is looking to kick out the festival, which brings in tens of millions of dollars in revenue each year and offers extra employment to some officers.
"The structural issues can be resolved. This is not an event where it's a problem inside. It's a problem outside," said Lt. Dan Kerr of Miami Fraternal Order of Police. "Some of the officers who work the event all three days appreciate that opportunity to work due to the fact we have had cuts with all of the stuff at city hall. This is a way for them to supplement their income."
For now, Miami Police are reviewing surveillance videos and interviewing witnesses surrounding the incident.
What do you think? Should the city throw out the festival? Let us know in the comments section below!
