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At Least 35 Arrested At 'Monster Massive' Rave

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Police arrested at least 35 people and paramedics treated 37 others at a Halloween-themed rave at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, authorities said Sunday.

Los Angeles city fire spokesperson Erik Scott said Los Angeles city paramedics and private ambulances transported a total of 16 people to area hospitals. In all, "25 firefighters were strategically deployed" at the rave.

Of those arrested, most will face narcotic possession charges for having either marijuana or ecstasy with them, Los Angeles police Sgt. Brandea Hill of the Southwest station said. There were also a few trespassing charges filed, Hill said.

About 16,000 people attended the 13th Annual Monster Massive electronic music festival, which wrapped up promptly at 2 a.m. Only those 18 or older were allowed inside. The event's lineup included Carl Cox, Moby, Judge Jules and DJ Steve Lawler.

Organizers had an army of private medics, two dozen LA paramedics, as well as a massive amount of police and private security at the event that's being dubbed America's largest Halloween dance party.

Los Angeles Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Bowman wrote the recommended actions that the Coliseum authority agreed should be in place for the rave on their property. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) both had booths inside.

As incident commander, Bowman said the level of protection paralleled President Barack Obama's visit to Los Angeles Friday.

The new measures come after 15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez died of a drug overdose after attending a rave at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in June.

Her death led the Coliseum Commission to impose a moratorium on such events at the stadium and the neighboring Sports Arena, with the exception of events already scheduled.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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