People must decide to behave responsibly, Hagman said. Thousands of campers plan to stay overnight in tents and RVs starting Thursday, March 17.Ī county analysis showed the number of arrests and medical issues isn’t higher at electronic music festivals than at concerts and other events at the amphitheater, county spokesman David Wert said. This year’s event, expected to draw a combined crowd of 70,000 people for the two days, is set to feature almost 50 dance music performers on four stages. “Anytime you get 40,000 to 50,000 kids together, no matter now good your precautions are, you’re going to have some issues,” Hagman said.

Supervisor Curt Hagman, who was elected in 2014, said he’s open to ideas to make the events safer. Rutherford “has always been concerned about raves going late at night and how that affects the residents as well as the propensity for drug use and issues related to that at these types of events,” said Scott Vanhorne, her communications director. Supervisor Janice Rutherford, who voted against the contract, has said the events cause traffic jams and prompt noise complaints from neighbors. The agreement, approved in 2013, gives the county the ability to pull the plug at any time. San Bernardino County’s contract with Live Nation, which leases the amphitheater, allows four electronic dance events a year. Insomniac is paying for all security and medical care at the event, Dorsey said. The website lists health and safety tips for festival guests, including staying hydrated, wearing comfortable clothes and using the buddy system.

Insomniac has a “zero-tolerance” drug policy, its website says. Insomniac spokeswoman Desiree Naranjo didn’t respond to emails this week, but the company has said in past interviews that fan safety is a top priority. “We’re being aggressive on all fronts,” he said.Ī sheriff’s helicopter with a paramedic will be on stand by, and medical professionals will be available for people needing attention, he said. A security guard who was taking cash to let people in was arrested at an electronic music event at the venue last year, he added. Officers are monitoring social media and the Internet, where people in prior years have posted instructions for getting in without being searched, Dorsey said. Private security and undercover officers also will be present. The department will have more than 100 deputies and a handful of drug-sniffing dogs at amphitheater entrances as well as the campground next to the festival grounds.

Insomniac, Beyond Wonderland’s promoter, works closely with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department to keep out illegal drugs, Capt. San Bernardino County officials are taking steps to improve health and safety at such festivals. The promoter of Beyond Wonderland encourages festival goers to be responsible and offers water stations, medical aid and other services at the events. The move comes after the deaths of two young women at the August HARD Summer festival at the Fairplex in Pomona. Los Angeles County supervisors are moving forward with an ordinance that allows officials to consider case-by-base approval of mass gathering events expected to draw 10,000 people or more on county property or in unincorporated areas. At least three others have died after going to such festivals in recent years. He had a seizure after taking drugs at the event, officials said. In September 2013, Arrel Christopher Cochon, a 22-year-old Los Angeles resident, died after attending an electronic music festival at the amphitheater. Vo died at a hospital after overdosing on the illegal drug Ecstasy, authorities said. At last March’s event, John Hoang Dinh Vo, a 22-year-old San Diego resident, suffered an apparent seizure and went into cardiac arrest, San Bernardino County coroner’s officials said.

Beyond wonderland insomniac