Security Tight For Country Thunder Concert In Florence

By Holliday Moore
Published: Thursday, April 5, 2018 - 9:23am

For several months law enforcement around the city of Florence have been mapping out a comprehensive security plan preparing for opening day at the annual Country Thunder Music Festival.

Between campers a single day visitors, Navidah Forghani with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office estimated 130,000 people will pass through the concert gates.

Security issues have been top of mind since the deadly mass shooting at a country concert in Las Vegas last Fall.

"We have deputies on patrol, it's a 24 hour security operation. So, it is fully covered," she said.

While law enforcement is on full alert, Forghani said they can't be everywhere and asked the public to help.

"We ask them to report anything suspicious, anything that might stand out as odd. No tip is too small," she said.

Now through Sunday, she said law enforcement will patrol the roads as visitors approach the concert off Highway 79, and agents will wand and check fans for alcohol or weapons as they pass through the concert security gates.