Police call for increased security at Canadian festival to combat drug offenses
"We are definitely going to look at an increase"
Festival goers could experience a stronger police presence at music festivals following an increased number of drug offenses at Canada’s Ever After Music Festival last month.
According to CBC News, of the approximately 23,000 festival patrons there were 129 drug-related incidents that occurred at the three day event where artists like Bassnectar, Zeds Dead, Destructo and Snails performed. This prompted local authorities to react by stating that security guards may need assistance if an influx of such offenses continues.
Staff Sgt. Pat Smola of Waterloo Regional Police’s major events unit hinted that the increased police presence is imminent: "We are definitely going to look at an increase. The big area that we're going to need to add additional resources is the front main gate screening area."
The report regarding Ever After Music Festival states that any person found to be in possession of an illegal substance upon entering was immediately turned over to the police, who would then determine the charges.
To add perspective, reports regarding Electric Daisy Carnival in 2017 state that there were 95 felony charges, most of which drug related, with an average daily attendance of 135,000.