Hundreds of thousands of visitors are set to flood downtown Miami this weekend as Ultra Music Festival returns for its 26th year.
The global music festival kicks off this Friday at Bayfront Park and will be a three-day event.
With large crowds expected from around the world, city agencies say they are prepared.
The Miami Police Department, Miami Fire Rescue and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office are coordinating efforts to keep both festival goers and residents safe.
Manuel A. Morales, Chief of Police, said officers will be highly visible throughout the weekend.
“We will have units out there both in uniform and undercover capacity, looking for lawbreakers and potential victims of human trafficking,” he said.
Downtown ambassadors will also be available to assist visitors late into the night.
Ralph Rosado says safety escorts and transportation options are in place:
- Ambassadors in bright orange shirts will walk people to their cars until 2 a.m.
- Free transportation vans will run throughout the area. Download the app Freebie.
Traffic is a major concern every year—and this time, police will be using drones to monitor conditions and keep vehicles moving.
Meanwhile, Miami Fire Rescue says it will be heavily staffed to ensure fast 911 response times across the downtown area and in Brickell.
Officials are also emphasizing awareness, especially when it comes to human trafficking concerns.
“We will have the ‘see something, say something’ campaign,” Morales said. “We’re partnering with SaferWatch so you can send a text and give us information about something you’re seeing.”