MIAMI \u2014 With the 26th anniversary of the Ultra Music Festival on Friday, excitement is building across Miami as crews prepare Bayfront Park for opening night.<\/p>\n
Sky 10 captured workers building stages and setting up for the three-day event, while city leaders finalize safety plans that have been in the works for nearly a year.<\/p>\n
Manny Morales, the chief of the Miami Police Department, said planning for Ultra begins right after the previous year\u2019s festival ends.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe planning for Ultra begins the day after it\u2019s done the previous year,\u201d Morales said. \u201cI can tell you the men and women of the Miami police department are completely dedicated to make sure this event remains one of the safest.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morales says local, state and federal agencies will work under a unified command as more than 105,000 people are attending the event.<\/p>\n
Miami police are adding drones as first responders — giving officers \u201ceyes in the skies\u201d to respond quickly to emergencies, traffic issues and calls for service.<\/p>\n
Beyond a heavy police presence and K-9 units, officials say a human trafficking task force will also be in place, with informational flyers posted throughout the venue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are bad guys, we\u2019re going to be on top of it. All you good guys, come have fun,\u201d Morales said.<\/p>\n
Over the past two decades, Ultra has grown into a global event, generating billions for the local economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s estimated over the past 25 years, that number is close to reaching three billion,\u201d Ray Martinez with Event Entertainment Group said. \u201cIt\u2019s more than a festival. This scale \u2015 this is influence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers are also highlighting sustainability efforts this year. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt included diverting nearly four hundred thousand pounds of waste from landfill,\u201d Vivian Hunter with Event Entertainment Group said.<\/p>\n
This year, the festival is rolling out 65 sustainability initiatives, including plans to power a stage using zero-emission batteries \u2015 a first for a major EDM festival in the U.S.<\/p>\n
Ultra has also recently received international Greener certification, becoming the first U.S. festival in more than a decade to earn the designation, and it has been nominated for a community impact award.<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfe0 News From Your Neighborhood<\/p>\n
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