MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Police in Mount Dora announced this week that they will be out in force for an upcoming rap concert at a dance hall that was engulfed in chaos in July when a promoter oversold a show.
The Mieluz Dance Hall is designed to hold 250 people, but the promoter for the July show sold 1,000 tickets, making it impossible for everyone to see the show, the Mount Dora Police Department said.
The scene outside the dance hall became chaotic and police believe that played a part in a nearby shooting that left one person dead and another injured.
The shooter in that incident remains on the loose, police said.
On Sept. 10, Atlanta rapper Lucci will be performing the Mieluz Dance Hall and police said Tuesday that the show would not be a repeat of the one in July.
"Officers will provide security and traffic safety outside of the dance hall and overflow parking will be limited," the city of Mount Dora said in a statement. "The Lake County Sheriff's Office will also be present for extra security in the areas outside the city limits."
Despite the city’s assurance that the event would take place without incident, some Mount Dora residents remain concerned.
“If (the venue) is bringing in positive business, that is great,” resident Mark Milkman said. “If it is bringing in a bad element, we don’t want that, of course, in the area.
“Unfortunately, this is a problem that keeps popping up.”
Milkman didn’t want to see an end to shows in Mount Dora, he just wanted the city to be prepared to keep any violence from happening.
“I don’t propose that we don’t have venues come in, but we need to make sure that law enforcement is always present,” he said.
The dance hall manager told Channel 9 that the number of tickets sold for the Sept. 10 show will be limited to the capacity of the facility.
"On Sunday, September 10, 2017, Lucci, a rap artist from Atlanta, will be having a concert at the Mieluz Dance Hall on Old Highway 441. Mieluz has received a temporary certificate of occupancy which was approved by city fire and building inspectors. The Mount Dora Police Department wants to assure residents and visitors that safety is a priority for us. Police have been working with the Dance Hall and the management is fully cooperating with city leaders. Officers will provide security and traffic safety outside of the Dance Hall and overflow parking will be limited. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will also be present for extra security in the areas outside the city limits."
Cox Media Group
