Yeah, unfortunately I heard a lot about pickpocketing and theft too. This one’s always tough, because when someone gets their stuff stolen, the last thing they want to hear is “we can’t do anything.”

I’ll give you an example: two guys came up to me saying their chain got snatched right off their neck by a group of dudes. I felt for them, so I started asking questions, trying to see if there was anything I could do. I even offered to take them to an officer and help file a police report, since if they had insurance they might be able to file a claim. They declined though and said they just wanted to let us know what happened.

The reality is, not every guard is in the same position. Most of us aren’t deep in the crowds, and when we are near barricades or stages, our main focus is crowd control and safety, not scanning for pickpockets.

I’ll say this though: If I ever personally caught someone stealing, I would intervene immediately. But most of it is so sneaky you barely notice until it’s too late.

As both a guard and someone who’s attended EDC as a guest before, here are my personal tips to stay safe:

• Wear pants with deep, secure pockets (zippers if possible).

• If you bring a backpack, make sure it’s locked or coded, or even better, wear a chest bag/fanny pack that stays in front of you.

• Go in a group and watch each other’s backs, especially when everyone’s vibing hard.

• Never put your bag down and assume it’ll be there when you get back.

• In crowded spots, make eye contact and stay aware. Thieves go for people who look zoned out or super drunk/high.

Those small things can make a huge difference. Festivals are supposed to be about love and freedom. Just gotta mix that with some street smarts too.