U.S. police prepare for security challenges at outdoor venues following Las Vegas tragedy

U.S. Police are preparing for heightened security challenges at outdoor venues following the Las Vegas tragedy at Route 91 Harvest music festival on Sunday (1st October).

The shooting, which was the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history – leaving 59 people dead and over 500 injured – was carried out by 64-year-old retired accountant Stephen Paddock.

In the wake of the mass shooting, acting Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina has said the Miami Police Department must focus on the challenges of policing outdoor venues.

“We have a lot of outside venues with the weather and people want to be outside,” he said. “We train and go over scenarios, active shooter scenarios where people are reminded to get where the shooter is.”

He said Ultra Miami – which takes place between 23rd and 25th March 2018 – is a specific focus with so many tall buildings close to its Bayfront Park location in downtown Miami.

“It’s something to consider now that we meet with the folks from Ultra and we will speak specifically about some issues,” he said. “In the past we have talked about putting people place as spotters on rooftops of buildings on close proximity and this is always something to keep in mind.”