Freakfest Organizers Boost Security, But Expect A Safe Event

Officials in Madison say they’ve increased security for this weekend’s Freakfest music festival.

Organizers expect about 35,000 people at this year’s event.

Police Capt. Jason Freedman said at a news conference Thursday the Madison Police Department routinely talks with state and federal authorities about potential security threats to large events.

He said they haven’t haven’t heard of any specific threats to Freakfest, but police and event staff will keep security and safety in mind at all times, in light of the recent shootings in Las Vegas.

“Our officers — which are our first line of defense, regardless — we know that they’re aware of these things and they’re on the lookout,” he said. “They’re going to be good guardians throughout, keeping an eye out.”

Freedman said there would be a “robust presence” of 300 police officers and 200 private security guards.

He declined to give specifics about security changes prompted by Las Vegas, but said “we have taken steps to cover what we believe are those contingencies.”

He also said law enforcement was prepared for other potential concerns, such as unruly behavior, fighting and over-intoxication.

Tag Evers of Frank Productions, which is producing the music festival, said it’s natural to have concerns about outdoor events after the shootings in Las Vegas, but that it’s also important to go forward with those events.

“We have to continue to choose as Americans to celebrate our freedom, and work with the police and those responsible to ensure safety for events like this, which we’ve done,” Evers said. “But at the end of the day, (we need) to celebrate what it means to be a free people. And to have a good time at an event like this, at Freakfest, is part of that.”