LITTLE ROCK, AR – More than 100 security workers and police officers are scattered throughout Little Rock’s downtown this weekend. On the street, outside the barricades, and even up in the air police are monitoring the grounds and beyond.
“We want our people that come here to feel safe getting back to their cars, getting back to their shuttles,” said Kelley Bass with the Riverfest Board.
After a man was shot in the leg following a concert last year, 40 additional Little Rock officers are stationed even outside the festival monitoring crowd control during closing hours.
“People lurk on the fringes and bad people try to take advantage of big crowds,” said Bass.
More than 250,000 people are expected to pass through the gates throughout the weekend. An entrance that, this year, feels more like going through airport security.
“They’ll be checked for basically any weapons. Knives, guns, any type of contraband,” said Riverfest Director of Security Shay Matyja.
One guard already confiscated more than 50 knives just within the first few hours of opening the gates today.
So as the rides go around and the music gets louder, the Riverfest crowd continues to grow with security teams around every corner.
“We want our people that come here to feel safe getting back to their cars, getting back to their shuttles,” said Kelley Bass with the Riverfest Board.
After a man was shot in the leg following a concert last year, 40 additional Little Rock officers are stationed even outside the festival monitoring crowd control during closing hours.
“People lurk on the fringes and bad people try to take advantage of big crowds,” said Bass.
More than 250,000 people are expected to pass through the gates throughout the weekend. An entrance that, this year, feels more like going through airport security.
“They’ll be checked for basically any weapons. Knives, guns, any type of contraband,” said Riverfest Director of Security Shay Matyja.
One guard already confiscated more than 50 knives just within the first few hours of opening the gates today.
So as the rides go around and the music gets louder, the Riverfest crowd continues to grow with security teams around every corner.