After a Washington festival shooting, Electric Forest has revealed stepped-up security measures. And there’s a busy Michigan summer of packed outdoor events ahead. An in-depth report with safety tips.

Electric Forest Mainstays: Michigan State Police maintain a significant presence at the festival. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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When upwards of 50,000 festivalgoers from across the globe flood the Electric Forest grounds in Rothbury later today, they might not notice any major changes in the event’s security precautions beyond the usual Michigan State Police presence.
But last weekend’s mass shooting at an electronic music festival in Washington state that killed two people and injured four others has heightened some concerns, leading Electric Forest organizers to announce that there will be “specialized Festival K9 Units on site” this weekend.
“These highly trained dogs and their skilled handlers have undergone rigorous training in firearm detection amidst a large crowd and in challenging environmental conditions,” according to the statement on social media.
In addition, the festival – which “works year-round with large-scale event security professionals … to provide a safe environment for our patrons, staff and artists” – encourages attendees to follow the “see something, say something” protocol by contacting security or festival staff, or messaging concerns via the Electric Forest app, in the event that they spot “suspicious activity” or behavior.

Sprawling Festival Grounds: Electric Forest covers a lot of territory and attracts 50,000 people. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
While Michigan State Police wouldn’t divulge specifics about their staffing numbers or their security measures on the Double JJ Resort festival site due to “operational needs and the security of our operations,” the agency insisted “the security and safety of all of the festivalgoers are our No. 1 priority,” said Lt. Michelle Robinson of the MSP.
“There is going to be a continued MSP presence on site and pretty much the same protocol they’ve been used to. They won’t necessarily notice a difference,” she said of returning festivalgoers. “We have multiple security companies that are on site as well.”
She said all festivalgoers are encouraged to download the official Electric Forest app, which provides updates, user tips and also gives attendees an opportunity to send messages to festival headquarters.
Electric Forest – which does utilize metal detectors and bag searches at festival entry points – did not immediately respond to specific Local Spins questions about gun concerns.
WITH MORE THAN 300 MASS SHOOTINGS IN 2023, CONCERNS HAVE GROWN
There’s reluctance by some organizers of festivals and security agencies to specifically address issues raised by potential shooting incidents.
But the near-daily outbreak of gun violence and mass shootings certainly raises fears among some music lovers, especially with the explosion of packed post-COVID concerts and festivals taking place in summer 2023.
Last weekend’s shooting took place in the campground for the Beyond Wonderland electronic music festival at The Gorge in Washington, with the gunman firing randomly into the crowd.
The country already has suffered more than 300 mass shootings in 2023, some of them at outdoor gatherings and concerts.

MSP: Part of a large festival security force. (Photo/Anna Sink)
One festival organizer willing to share its views – Lansing’s MiEntertainment Group, involved with Grand Rapids’ Upheaval and Breakaway festivals, among others – called safety its “No. 1 priority,” with prevention of shooting threats something that “our team discusses frequently with local authorities,” said MiEntertainment’s Jenna Meyer-Wagner.
“Weapons of any kind are not permitted on the grounds of our music festivals and events,” she said. “We have security checkpoints at all of our events. The method of checks at those points differs with the event based on size and threat levels, but yes, fans can expect searches to be done at all of our events whether it be bag checks, metal detectors or pat-downs.”
Still, security precautions vary widely among the more than 100 music festivals spread across the state this summer, many of them intimate, family-friendly affairs.
“The Las Vegas incident (Route 91 Harvest festival shooting in 2017 that killed 60 people) should be a reminder that there are people out there who would and will do this again and again and again until the public gets fed up enough with it to do something about it,” said musician Andrew Ogrodzinski, who responded to a recent Local Spins ‘Question of the Week’ about gun violence at live music events.
“If I’m not gigging at my own events, I’m working at events, and security and safety are always a concern.”
Added Stephen Aldrich: “A situation like the country fest in Las Vegas a few years ago, where the shooter was outside of the venue, is a clear problem. I could see some smaller outdoor shows, where security staffing might not be as well trained, or equipped as larger venues would have, might be a cause for concern.”
Local Spins writer Tricia Boot Woolfenden put it this way: “It doesn’t necessarily keep me from doing any specific one thing like concerts because there is no activity that is safe from gun violence in this country. I do make an effort to know where exits are, and think about escape scenarios. I appreciate any security or extra safety measures, though I hate that it’s part of our lives.”
TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE DURING AN ‘ACTIVE SHOOTER’ INCIDENT
When it comes to “escape scenarios,” the Department of Homeland Security offers these recommendations for those who find themselves in the vicinity of an “active shooter” incident:
• Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers;
• Take note of the two nearest exits or escape routes in any facility you visit. Have an escape route and plan in mind, and evacuate whether others agree to follow;
• Leave your belongings behind and help others escape, if possible;
• Prevent other individuals from entering the area;
• Keep your hands visible and follow instructions of police officers;
• Call 911 when it is safe to do so; if you cannot speak, leave the line open for an emergency dispatcher to listen;
• If evacuation isn’t possible, find a place to hide where the shooter is unlikely to find you;
• As a last resort and if your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt or incapacitate the shooter by acting aggressively, throwing items, yelling.
View the complete guide online here. With a motto of “Run, Hide, Fight,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation also has recommendations for responding to shooting incidents. View that here.
And check out Local Spins’ Electric Forest preview and must-see music picks for the 2023 festival.
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