HARD Day of the Dead and Escape: Psycho Circus targeted by police.

The two-day HARD Day of the Dead festival saw 300 people arrested, with about 180 people arrested at the two-day Escape: Psycho Circus festival.

The arrests at HARD were mostly for public intoxication, possession of illegal drugs, being under the influence of a controlled substance or carrying false identification, with the arrests at Escape mostly for illegal drug possession, trespassing or public intoxication. HARD drew about 20,000 attendees on both days and Escape drew more than 40,000 attendees each day.

Earlier this year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the formation of an “Electronic Music Task Force” that would look to make electronic music festivals safer for attendees.

HARD, which is run by Live Nation, paid for dozens of medical staff, 24 free water distribution points and 184 police officers (priorities!). Escape was staffed by 100 San Bernardino police officers and 500 private security guards. [via LA Times]