Rob Pincus
New member
I worked at the 1994 Woodstock Festival. I was on a private security contract escorting VIPs from the backstage area out into the "festival". It was dirty, choatic, but kinda fun. There was some looting, much like what is being described now.. vendors booths & storage areas. There was contained violence, one gun shot and a fair amount of drugs. The most publicized problem was that the "checkpoints" at the entrances were overrun on the first afternoon, and it became a free concert without anyone screening for weapons, drugs or alcohol. At the end not very many people were hurt, I had one big lump on the back of my head and some superficial wounds, and the entire place should've been cordoned off as a toxic waste site.
Last time the "peace patrol" were actaully 50% National guardsmen and 50% people who volunteered at local malls. They were the ones who let the gates come down and were responsible for over $200,000 worth of handheld and walk-through metal detectors being stolen or trashed. I can only imagine who made up the crack security team this time.
Now, I see that they burned the place to the ground last night. A business associate of mine wanted to attend the event this year, and I assured him that he should contract with serious security before he went. I suggested an off-duty NY State Trooper. I knew that the whole damn thing was one step from serious violence and last year several hundred State troopers were at a nearby National Guard Armory waiting for a call that never came. Last night they called, and hundreds of state troopers in riot gear showed up quickly and apparently contained the "riot" efficiently and without major incident. Don't kid yourself that they weren't standing close by. I say "Well Done."
But, the whole thing makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people?
Is the next step to actually have the troopers at the event?
Is a direct show of force and fear of punishment the only thing that will keep people from behaving like idiots?
Last time the "peace patrol" were actaully 50% National guardsmen and 50% people who volunteered at local malls. They were the ones who let the gates come down and were responsible for over $200,000 worth of handheld and walk-through metal detectors being stolen or trashed. I can only imagine who made up the crack security team this time.
Now, I see that they burned the place to the ground last night. A business associate of mine wanted to attend the event this year, and I assured him that he should contract with serious security before he went. I suggested an off-duty NY State Trooper. I knew that the whole damn thing was one step from serious violence and last year several hundred State troopers were at a nearby National Guard Armory waiting for a call that never came. Last night they called, and hundreds of state troopers in riot gear showed up quickly and apparently contained the "riot" efficiently and without major incident. Don't kid yourself that they weren't standing close by. I say "Well Done."
But, the whole thing makes me wonder what the hell is wrong with people?
Is the next step to actually have the troopers at the event?
Is a direct show of force and fear of punishment the only thing that will keep people from behaving like idiots?