Dangerous Night at Amphitheater
* Having been to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater previously, I was shocked and dismayed by the events that unfolded at the Jimmy Buffet concert on April 29.
Arriving at 6:40 for the 8 p.m. concert, we were parked in a field that was a 20-minute walk to the entrance. As we approached the entrance, we were caught in a crush of people that rarely moved.
The concert started and yet the crowd still did not move. People from behind started pushing, a girl nearby passed out, but we were unable to move her out of the crush of people.
Once inside, about 8:40 p.m., our concerns fell on deaf ears. Our tickets were in the lawn section. We were unable to get there, as the crowd inside was just as crushed.
The concert was clearly oversold. We left just after intermission, again trying to speak to a manager, to no avail.
I spoke to the Irvine police, who said the same situation occurred last year. I suggest that the city of Irvine, the Irvine Police Department and the venue owners launch an investigation into this chaotic and dangerous incident and that concerts be canceled until a solution is found.
THERESA ULLRICH
Brea
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