Venues juggle crowds, safety at SXSW

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Each year The Fader Fort becomes more and more popular as one of South By Southwest’s premier music parties.

But publisher Andy Cohn knows becoming a little too big is a possibility.

“It is always tough to balance. If it was up to us we would want every single person to come in but that is just not possible,” said Cohn.

Last year, nearly 40,000 people visited the Fader Fort , a venue that brings 45 bands in for four days of music.

This year Cohn is expecting that number to fall towards 30,000, but that is by design.

“We will have a little less so we can keep in a better environment in here," he said.

For productions that utilize temporary tents and stages to create venues that hold thousands, logistics are an important part of security and safety.

The Fader Fort staff said they spend more than $1.5 million on production and spend four months going through the construction, permits and planning processes.

It takes 85 staff members to make it happen during the four days at SXSW.

RSVP for the Fader Fort was opened and closed within two hours. Typically, there are long lines of fans waiting to get into the venue, but Cohn said they have to stay under their allotted limit.

“Once we are at capacity, we are at capacity," he said.

Austin Fire Department is making the rounds to ensure bars and temporary venues are staying in compliance with the fire code.

The Austin Police Department also has a temporary command center in the Austin Police Department's headquarters to make sure crowds don't get out of hand.

"It's a new model that we're basically working with," said Assistant Police Chief Raul Munguia with the Austin Police Department. "It's been hugely efficient."

Agencies with APD, Austin Travis County EMS, the Austin Fire Department and Code Enforcement are in one spot, and helping monitor 27 new downtown crime cameras, ready to respond at a moments notice.

"It has helped us react quicker," Asst. Chief Munguia said. "And we foresee using something, either this model or something very similar to it, for F1, Circuit of Americas."