Keeping festival capacity within a safe range is a security priority. State or local ordinances may dictate the number of people who are legally permitted to occupy an area, whether it's an amphitheater, campground or other outdoor venue. To meet security standards, ticket sales should not exceed venue capacity, tickets may be carefully screened for authenticity. Security professionals may also work to monitor entrances and exits so that only permitted, ticketed festival guests gain entry.
Music festivals can be crowded places--depending on venue size, guest density and festival type--meeting security standards may involve allocating proportional volumes of security professionals and concert-goers. Security professionals may be strategically stationed at entry gates, or near bathrooms, stages or vendors selling alcohol.
To meet security standards, professionals may be uniformed or undercover. Security guards may also be mounted on horseback for greater visibility and a better view of developing events, according to Alpha and Omega Services, a mounted guard specialist.
Like any citizen, security guards are prohibited from carrying or using firearms without proper permits and authorizations. Fully authorized security guards maintaining safety at music festivals may utilize a number of tools, including flashlights, handcuffs in the event of a citizen's arrest, baton, chemical agents, bullhorn and stanchions, according to Crime Doctor, a security consulting agency.
Meeting high security standards for music festivals includes taking preventative security measures. Regulating alcohol consumption is a major security measures at music festivals, where guests may be drinking heavily. Alcohol may be prohibited completely, or restricted to consumption only in designated areas, such as a beer garden. Security standards may dictate that outside alcohol is not permitted within music festival grounds.
Narcotics and illegal substances comprise another potential security breach point. Highly visible security guards may discourage consumption, but additional security may be established by mandating purse, pocket and backpack searches at festival entryways.
Plentiful lighting is another security standard for discouraging narcotics consumption and sexual assault. Establishing emergency plans and contact liaisons with local police and other emergency personnel can boost security at music festivals.