Indio police prepare for Stagecoach
It’s almost time to grab 10-gallon hat, put on some cowboy boots and two step to the Empire Polo Grounds. Country music festival Stagecoach is this weekend.
The Indio Police Department will once again be on high alert for people illegally using handicapped placards. During both weekends of the Coachella Music and Arts Festival 182 people were cited for this crime.
There were several arrests for pickpockets stealing cell phones and police will have an eye on this crime too, but there might be fewer thefts at Stagecoach.
“Country western music and country western festivals, you don’t have that kind of rock ‘n roll where everybody is pushing to get up front. Everybody wants their space with blankets and chairs and that kind of stuff,” said Sgt. Dan Marshall with the Indio Police Dept.
Stagecoach brings in a lot of campers in RVs which can easily be tossed around if winds pick up which has happened in the past.
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“We are very concerned about the wind, people come in on RVs and they need to pay attention to the winds out here they are very strong,” Marshall said.
IPD will also be keeping an eye out for people trying to use fake IDs and for people who drink too much alcohol.
Read: Crime Headlines around the Coachella Valley “We just want to see people go there and have a great time and enjoy the festivities that are offered at the festival, but don’t become over-served. That’s when we have the problem with people that are so intoxicated they can’t care for their own safety,” Marshall said.
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This year about 125,000 people attended Coachella each weekend. Only 85,000 are expected for Stagecoach.
Drivers can expect the same road closures as Coachella but there should be fewer people on the road, making traffic around the venue less congested.
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