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Memorial day is a U.S. national holiday celebrated each year on the last Monday of May. It is a day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending this country. Each Friday preceding this holiday begins the Miami Urban Beach Weekend. This is the largest urban festival in the world catering to the 21 and over hip-hop crowd. This year’s crowd was estimated to be from 300,000 to 350,000. It is a weekend of beach parties, food, and fun and rap concerts. Although the event gained notoriety in the past for a few incidents of fights and a shooting, this year’s event by all accounts occurred with only minor offenses. A local entertainment venue was the sight of at least two huge parties sponsored by a national Rap producer P.Diddy and featured artists like Gucci Mane. The events were advertised on our local hip-hop radio stations and they drew crowds in the several hundreds. To insure the safety of everyone, the producers along with the management of the venue hired a professional security company by the name of Force Protection Security. Thanks to the operations manager Lorenzo Bell, I was introduced to the president of the company Mr. Belgrave Arellano. Mr. Arellano gave me special permission to observe him and his security specialists at work that night.

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Their role was primarily to cover the outer perimeter of the location. This included weapons and purse checks at the door. Given the size of the club as well as the large anticipated crowd, Mr. Arellano’s force numbered 48. All have prior military or law enforcement experience and are currently licensed by the State of Florida. Mr. Arrelano himself was formerly in the U.S. Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne division. Hours before the start of the party, Lorenzo Bell checked his men and women in. Mr. Arellano gave his force a briefing on Florida law as it pertains to maintaining the protection of themselves and the customers and guests. At all times, Mr. Arellano emphasized professionalism. The night occurred without incident except for one minor one. A group of about ten men tried to crash the party. They were met by Mr. Arellano and Mr. Bell who asked the men to please move away from the door and to wait their turn in line. At first the men did not obey the request.  After politely asking the men for the second time and they refused again Mr. Arellano called for backup. Realizing that they were outnumbered the men reluctantly waited in line without further incident.

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At no time did Mr. Arellano or Mr. Bell or their staff have to draw their weapons. On the outside guests arrived by car and the VIPs by limousine. The dancers came early and Mr. Arellano’s staff escorted them safely inside. The ladies in attendance wore their best club dresses with heels and ankle bracelets. Many of the young men wore baseball caps, sagging jean pants and sneakers. I was able to enter the club and the atmosphere was electric. The dancers were hot The music was pumping and the crowd was having a great time. I spoke with several of the partygoers and many of them were from out of town cities such as New York, Atlanta or Birmingham Alabama.  To say that some of the women were “ working girls” would not be a stretch.

Given the urban nature of the scene i.e. huge crowd of people, scantily clad women, hustlers, cannabis in the air and alcohol being served I was secure knowing that Mr. Arellano and Mr. Bell and their staff was providing protection for all. Although on this night Force Protection personnel came in tactical gear and wore tactical uniforms, Mr. Arellno’s company provides corporate security in a non- tactical fashion as well. South Beach Miami had many parties going on during the weekend. And Mr. Arellano had staff working at other events too. This party was one of the largest of not the largest in town.

This Miami Urban Week event was truly one to remember in large part because of the professionalism of the men and women of Force Protection Services.

Written by Luis Vera

Photos by Ira Silverman and thanks to Force Protection Security LLC