California Police Prepare Security Plan for Coachella

California Police Prepare Security Plan for Coachella

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Apr 15, 2016

When someone thinks about Coachella, the popular music festival set over two weekends in Indio, California, security usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Music, dancing and fashion are big topics of the event but mass notification and access control usually are not at the forefront of the minds of the attendees. For police, however, they’ve been thinking about Coachella security for over six months.

Due to recent world events in Paris, Brussels and even closer to home in San Bernardino, Indio police are taking extra precautions to ensure that the attendees are at no more of a threat while at the event than any other place they would normally be.

The event sells over 100,000 tickets for shows spanning over a two-weekend time period, so big crowds are unavoidable. Police say they aren’t worried about the amount of people attending, in fact, they believe that because of the crowds the event will be easier to secure.

“In some ways, bigger events are protected better because they occur at a particular time at a particular place,” director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, Brian Levin said. “That allows authorities to allocate personnel at key times.”

The Indio Police Department will be teaming up with other local law enforcement to remain adequately staffed for the event. They will be patrolling the perimeter of the event as well as placing themselves within the event to look out for suspicious activity. They will also be patrolling shuttle stations, local hotels and even throughout the city.

This year, police will be implementing a mass notification system via smartphone texting. Authorities will be able to send text alerts to festival-attendees and the general public in the area containing important information about traffic, safety, weather and emergency situations. Users of the app, Nixle, can text “Coachella” to 888777 to sign up for the service.

“We really want everyone to get in tune with the pulse of what’s going on,” said Sgt. Dan Marshall, Indio Police spokesman. “Our number one concern is public safety.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3