A South Florida police veteran has been tapped to lead security for Ultra Music Festival as organizers face added scrutiny following a high-profile safety incident at last month's event.
Raymond Martinez, the outgoing chief of police in Miami Beach, will serve as the festival's new chief of security, organizers of the Miami-based event announced Friday.
The decision comes after a security guard was hospitalized from injuries suffered during this year's festival.
That security guard was trampled by ticketless gate-crashers. The trouble led Miami Mayor Tomas Regaldo to call for an end to the Ultra Musical Festival in his city. Commissioners recently postponed a decision on a proposal to bar the organizers from holding the 16-year-old festival at Miami's Bayfront Park.
Festival organizers have announced plans to complete a "comprehensive review of all security procedures" in the wake of this year's issues. They said Friday that Martinez will play a central role in that effort.
"Under Chief Martinez’s leadership our commitment will only be strengthened as we strive to provide the highest quality event at all levels," Russell Faibisch, founder and CEO of Event Entertainment Group, Inc., producer of Ultra Music Festival, said in a statement.
Martinez, who also served in the Marine Corps, announced last month his plans to retire after decades in the force.
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“As a public servant of this community for almost four decades I look forward to being part of Ultra Music Festival and working with the organizers, local leaders and fellow law enforcement professionals, all of whom are committed to the well-being of the event participants, staff and overall safety of the community,” he said in a statement.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the festival was in its 14th year. It has been running for 16 years, including 14 in conjunction with the Bayfront Park Management Trust.
