Imagine this: Zagreb turned into a fortress because of Marko Perković Thompson’s concert! The Ministry of the Interior (MUP) set up a command center with seven huge screens, monitoring every inch of the city, drones flying over the hippodrome, and police ready as if a war is underway. All this for a concert expected to gather half a million people! Yes, you read that right – half a million!
The police command center, located in the building known as the “cube” in Prisavlje, has a view of the hippodrome and covers the entire city. On seven screens, they monitor drone footage, street cameras, road conditions, as well as the activities of emergency services, firefighters, and civil protection. Five different communication systems, including a virtual mobile network, ensure nothing slips through.
But that’s not all! The day before the concert, the hippodrome was turned into a fortress: fences, water tanks, police trucks, vans, even quads patrolling. Pedestrians are no longer allowed to walk around the hippodrome, and three Zagreb neighborhoods are completely closed to traffic. All this to prevent chaos and ensure safety.
While the city turns into a fortress, Thompson’s manager urges fans to start coming today because Saturday will be total chaos. And at the concert itself? Eight people ended up in the hospital, emergency services responded 63 times, and 44 people were arrested for disturbing public order and using pyrotechnics.
This spectacle of security and control looks like a military operation, all for one concert. Is it overkill or necessary? Is Zagreb ready for half a million people in one place? And what will happen if unforeseen situations arise?
If you have thoughts on this police circus, drop a comment below – maybe together we can figure out if this is just paranoia or a real threat! Or maybe you have a joke about the police siege of the hippodrome? Don’t hold back, share it with us!
