MOLSON CONCERT SECURITY: Chief: Problems, few; crowds, well-behaved

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JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

August 28, 2008

By April Amadon<br><a href="mailto:amadona@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail April</a> The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Thu Aug 28, 2008, 12:27 AM EDT

With the Molson Canal Concert Series bringing thousands of people to Lockport, the potential for chaos could have been high, but officials say the crowds were well-behaved.

Lockport Police Chief Larry Eggert said police were initially concerned, with so many people — and so much alcohol — in one place.

Those concerns disappeared as the concert series went on.

“I was surprised how smooth everything went,” he said. “Everything just kind of fell into place.”

For every concert, about 10 officers were assigned to the concert area, some inside and some around the perimeter. The security force also included mounted patrol, bicycle cops, auxiliary police and aerial surveillance from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.

The level of security remained the same throughout most of the summer, although police decided they didn’t need the helicopter after the first few shows.

Eggert said he’s been complimented several times about the police presence.

“People were really comforted by the fact that we were all over the place,” he said. “Usually, people don’t say that.”

Kim Milani of Sub Delicious complimented the police and fire personnel’s subtle presence at the shows, noting they stayed in the background until needed.

Police were aided by a video surveillance system set up around the concert area. The video equipment was donated by Lockport resident Andy Chapman, owner of IK Systems, one of Western New York’s largest video surveillance companies.

The video feed went to monitors in the LPD’s mobile command center, stationed by the Harrison’s building on Walnut Street, where officers could sit and watch the entire concert area on the screens.

The cameras were advanced enough that officers could zoom in on individuals and vehicles several hundred feet away.

“That is almost like having an extra couple of guys,” Eggert said. “It was really nice thing to have there. It would (help us) localize any problems.”

A few fights broke out at the concerts, and there were some DWI arrests, but nothing major, he said.

Eggert attributes that partly to the crowds, which tended to be older people or families.

“It was mostly a family event. You didn't see a lot of young single men or women going in, in large groups,” he said.

Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker said the crowds were well-behaved and mellow.

“Over and above the music, it was a great social thing — like a giant class reunion,” he said. “There was a broad range of people out there — babies, teenagers and their parents, even 70-year-olds — and everybody got along ... I think people are gonna be bummed out this Friday."

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

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