By Suu Elen Manzano |Staff Writer|
The rave show Beyond Wonderland should not have been moved from the National Orange Show (NOS) Events Center in San Bernardino.
The event will be held at the San Manuel Amphitheater located in Devore.
A similar event hosted by Insomniac Inc., generated millions.
With so much money that can be generated, the city should really reconsider moving this event.
“Nocturnal Wonderland 2011 generated $11.7 million in direct expenditures in San Bernardino County, after adjustment,” stated Beacon Economics LLC.
Revenues of this event will likely match those of Nocturnal Wonderland.
LA Times states that complaints about drugs, noise and a clash with law enforcement are to blame for the move.
“The city may generate revenue but they often have to call in law enforcement to back up security and paramedics are always called,” said student Ruben Vasquez. “For me one death is one too many, especially since they are young people.”
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a report in 2010 on Ecstasy overdoses which determined that within a 12 hour time frame one person died and 18 people visited emergency centers.
“The coroner determined that the cause of death was multiple drug intoxication. Friends reported that the decedent had used ecstasy and cocaine at the rave and injected heroin at home afterward,” according to CDC.gov.
Unfortunately some people resort to abusing drugs not using them; this means that they don’t stop using once the rave has ended.
Insomniac Inc., has produced raves such as Beyond Wonderland and Nocturnal Wonderland at the NOS events center since 1998.
Insomniac Inc. should not have to move Beyond Wonderland because of the possibility of drug use.
Greater scrutiny before entering the event should be the focus to make sure attendees are not bringing in drugs.
Moving the event is not a solution, that is if the drug abuse is the actual problem.
San Bernardino police officers with the assistance of narcotic dogs would be the key to ensuring concert goers are not tempted to bring in drugs.
This would remedy the problem concerning overdoses from attendees consuming drugs at the events center.
This will also insure that all attendees are 18 and older and that no underage persons will try to sneak their way in.
This event is economically significant for the city of San Bernardino, tickets are easily sold out.
“The event roughly generated $840 thousand in taxes for state and local governments within the county,” asserts Beacon Economics LLC.
Using 2011 as an indication of the profits the city stands to make, there should be no question that the event needs to come back.
Student Karina Lozano was originally apprehensive of the event’s reputation but recognized that the city is in dire economic need, “San Bernardino’s economy is benefiting from these types of event.”
I don’t believe San Bernardino can afford to drive away business, now or in the future.
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