From THUNDER Alley to Cry Baby Hill

[Teatownclown]

Something I've noticed during the past month. Thunder Alley was the area outside the Chesapeake (Cheese a Peek?) Arena with a huge screen for the community to gather beneath the stars to enjoy in their NBA teams phenomena. It resembled a gathering of magical memories. That is until several blocks away, unrelated to the sport, a gunman (more gun nuts) unloaded a few rounds in a parking garage. Now inside the arena, you might look around and take notice of the lack of diversity (I won't bother you with those comments), but outside is where the melting pot can assemble. No more. Despite the public paying for the areas and the arena, the magic has been removed. And more security has been added.

Up on Cry Baby Hill in Tulsa during Tulsa Tough, I understand security had to be beefed up. Why? And I heard the same security put a little damper on the festivities.

We see this happening more and more. Is it a result of open carry? Or is it a result of paranoia? Or is it a result of the desire to curb people's enthusiasm through force?

Seems to me, it's going to be more difficult in the future to catch magical moments as government interferes with the environment by corralling people into a comfort zone. And where are all you "get the government out of our lives" peeps?

[Townsend]

Something I've noticed during the past month. Thunder Alley was the area outside the Chesapeake (Cheese a Peek?) Arena with a huge screen for the community to gather beneath the stars to enjoy in their NBA teams phenomena. It resembled a gathering of magical memories. That is until several blocks away, unrelated to the sport, a gunman (more gun nuts) unloaded a few rounds in a parking garage. Now inside the arena, you might look around and take notice of the lack of diversity (I won't bother you with those comments), but outside is where the melting pot can assemble. No more. Despite the public paying for the areas and the arena, the magic has been removed. And more security has been added.

I'd guess that's part of their "working with local authorities to protect the public" that was talked about in one of the articles about the shooting.

[Townsend]

Up on Cry Baby Hill in Tulsa during Tulsa Tough, I understand security had to be beefed up. Why? And I heard the same security put a little damper on the festivities.

Most likely concern for the safety of the riders.  One rider gets tagged by a thrown beer can or hit in the face by a super soaker and the fun is done.

[Conan71]

There's no comparison between the two events.  Some jackass thug or thugs killed the fun for everyone in OKC by firing into a crowd.  Should they shut down Thunder Alley because of one incident?  I thought it sounded like a total knee-jerk reaction.

The CBH problem was people nearly being run down by the pace car and/or racers.  Sound Pony, which is the de facto party host, has people posted in ref outfits with bullhorns and whistles to help keep the crowd back.  Problem is, most people figure they are simply party characters, and ignore their commands to back up.

It's a potentially hazardous situation with drunkenly-exuberant people who apparently think the pace car can simply stop if they block the road or being run into by a bicycle won't hurt.  A young child was almost run down by the pace car at one point and it wasn't even their parent who pulled the child to safety.

The only comparison between TA and CBH is when people start getting drunk in public en masse, crazy smile starts to happen and people can and do get hurt.  I didn't feel the police presence put a damper on the CBH festivities, they weren't there to kill the fun, just to keep people from getting hurt or accidentally hurting a rider.  JMO.

[Teatownclown]

There's no comparison between the two events.  Some jackass thug or thugs killed the fun for everyone in OKC by firing into a crowd.  Should they shut down Thunder Alley because of one incident?  I thought it sounded like a total knee-jerk reaction.

The CBH problem was people nearly being run down by the pace car and/or racers.  Sound Pony, which is the de facto party host, has people posted in ref outfits with bullhorns and whistles to help keep the crowd back.  Problem is, most people figure they are simply party characters, and ignore their commands to back up.

It's a potentially hazardous situation with drunkenly-exuberant people who apparently think the pace car can simply stop if they block the road or being run into by a bicycle won't hurt.  A young child was almost run down by the pace car at one point and it wasn't even their parent who pulled the child to safety.

The only comparison between TA and CBH is when people start getting drunk in public en masse, crazy smile starts to happen and people can and do get hurt.  I didn't feel the police presence put a damper on the CBH festivities, they weren't there to kill the fun, just to keep people from getting hurt or accidentally hurting a rider.  JMO.

That is not what occurred.

We were watching the Celts v. Heat the other night trying to recall all the things we use to do before fear invaded our lives. Like lying on the back dash with a car full of kids laughing and a carrying on. Any other examples of what we don't get to do anymore?

And I guess you don't mind government intrusion when it has to do with a community?

[PonderInc]

I was at Crybaby Hill on Sunday.  I certainly didn't notice any dampening of festivities.  Holy crap!  The regulars said that it was twice as big this year as last.  So, I don't think the festivities were dampened.  

Conan is right.  Any security is to protect everyone involved: revelers and riders alike.  Having worked as a street marshall at the Blue Dome races, I can't imagine how stressful this must have been for the pace car, the motorcycles, and the riders... with no barriers separating the drunken revelers/spectators from the racers... and the party consuming the street.  Er, I mean, course.

Amazing.  Weird.  Wonderful.  I haven't laughed that much in forever!  But I would totally understand if they have barriers next year.  It's a miracle nobody got hurt.

[Conan71]

That is not what occurred.

We were watching the Celts v. Heat the other night trying to recall all the things we use to do before fear invaded our lives. Like lying on the back dash with a car full of kids laughing and a carrying on. Any other examples of what we don't get to do anymore?

And I guess you don't mind government intrusion when it has to do with a community?

I'm sorry how is a jackass(s) firing into a crowd "not what occurred" when eight people were wounded by gunfire?

Let me refresh your memory:

A festive atmosphere in downtown Oklahoma City quickly turned violent Monday night when at least eight people were shot minutes after the Thunder defeated the Lakers in Game 5, according to police. Initial reports indicating only three victims proved to be too conservative. Two suspects are in custody.

The shootings occurred in Bricktown, an entertainment district just three blocks from Chesapeake Energy Arena. The streets were full of celebrating fans when the shooting occurred; in addition to the fans leaving the arena, thousands more had gathered to watch the game on a giant LED screen mounted on the side of the arena, part of the "Thunder Alley" block party hosted by the team.

As far as CBH, this is competitive racing with close proximity to a crowd where there is lots of drinking under the hot afternoon sun.  This is an instance where the crowd needs to be kept at a safe enough distance to keep riders or spectators from getting injured, otherwise the race organizers can A) Have their USAC racing sanction removed which means no pros coming to town B) Get sued when someone eventually is hurt for negligence in knowing people are in the middle of a race course during a race and not putting up barricades to keep them out of the street  C) Tulsa loses one of their best and most visible events of the year.  I've been on both sides of the barricades in crit racing so it's something I feel I'm well-qualified to speak on.

The police did nothing more than re-enforce what the Sound Pony guys were trying to do which was keep a wide enough berth from the crowd and racers.  They weren't busting people for public intox, checking ID's, or trying to dampen the spirit.  They were quite cool so long as people observed a safe distance from the racers.

Perhaps you should stick to commenting on things you actually experienced this weekend instead of loose conjecture about what did or didn't happen on CBH when those who were really there are of an entirely different viewpoint than yours.

[Teatownclown]

I'm sorry how is a jackass(s) firing into a crowd "not what occurred" when eight people were wounded by gunfire?

Let me refresh your memory:

As far as CBH, this is competitive racing with close proximity to a crowd where there is lots of drinking under the hot afternoon sun.  This is an instance where the crowd needs to be kept at a safe enough distance to keep riders or spectators from getting injured, otherwise the race organizers can A) Have their USAC racing sanction removed which means no pros coming to town B) Get sued when someone eventually is hurt for negligence in knowing people are in the middle of a race course during a race and not putting up barricades to keep them out of the street  C) Tulsa loses one of their best and most visible events of the year.  I've been on both sides of the barricades in crit racing so it's something I feel I'm well-qualified to speak on.

The police did nothing more than re-enforce what the Sound Pony guys were trying to do which was keep a wide enough berth from the crowd and racers.  They weren't busting people for public intox, checking ID's, or trying to dampen the spirit.  They were quite cool so long as people observed a safe distance from the racers.

Perhaps you should stick to commenting on things you actually experienced this weekend instead of loose conjecture about what did or didn't happen on CBH when those who were really there are of an entirely different viewpoint than yours.

Yes. the shooting happened 3 blocks away.  Busting up Thunder Alley spreads many of the deviants into neighborhood bars to drink more (imagine that). The one's that don't go to the bars are the one's who typically can't afford any of these activities but enjoy their FREEdom which has been taken away from them. Coco, I'm begining to understand your fascist leanings. You're inconsistent in your demands for less government.

[Conan71]

Yes. the shooting happened 3 blocks away.  Busting up Thunder Alley spreads many of the deviants into neighborhood bars to drink more (imagine that). The one's that don't go to the bars are the one's who typically can't afford any of these activities but enjoy their FREEdom which has been taken away from them. Coco, I'm begining to understand your fascist leanings. You're inconsistent in your demands for less government.

Logical crowd control in trying to maintain safety is hardly a call for more government.  Trust me, it was no buzz-kill for those involved on CBH.  Mayor Bartlet (sic) shutting down the party next year because a few people were almost run down would be an over-reaction.  Would you consider placing crowd barriers on the hill next year an over-reaction or government intervention?  You need to remember the cops were there at the behest of the event promoter to help ensure safety, not some heavy-handed Orwellian crap you've conjured in your head.

I also said busting up Thunder Alley was a knee-jerk reaction.  You know, a mistake.  Cornett was a dumbshit for abolishing it because of something which was determined to be unrelated to the goings on in TA.  It's unfortunate that one or two asshat thugs from the gangster lifestyle foobared that up for everyone else. 

[Teatownclown]

Well, it sounds as though you're being a little flexible with regard to the omnipotent presence of the police.

I am making an observation here about society and when you identify "knee jerkers" I do believe you understand my concern.

Now, what did you do as a kid that today would be considered too dangerous besides holding a roman candle (and no doubt aiming it at your classmates)....oh, buying drinks after class from someone's trunk does not qualify.

[Conan71]

Well, it sounds as though you're being a little flexible with regard to the omnipotent presence of the police.

I am making an observation here about society and when you identify "knee jerkers" I do believe you understand my concern.

Now, what did you do as a kid that today would be considered too dangerous besides holding a roman candle (and no doubt aiming it at your classmates)....oh, buying drinks after class from someone's trunk does not qualify.

The police are always present at any public event- Mayfest, concerts, Oktoberfest, even the Ice Capades.  It's called public safety which is what PD's are supposed to be there for in the first place.

If it ever comes to legions of brown shirts goose-stepping through my beloved Tulsa Tough, you will be the first to hear about it.

[jacobi]

TPD could have arrested nearly everyone there if they had been so inclined.  They did not.  I don't think anyone was.

[rdj]

The problem from my perspective doesn't lie with the government but with society.  People just don't know how to act in public anymore. 

Who brings kids to a venue like Crybaby Hill and doesn't keep a hand on them at all times?  If you don't want to watch your children, get a sitter.  I spent a fair amount of time on the hill Sunday with my children.  However, we had one adult for every kid, were sober and made sure they were within reaching distance at all times.

The crowd up there was bigger than I've ever seen it.  I would have no problem with barricades up there for a few blocks.  There is nothing that crowd does that can't be done from behind the safety of a barricade.

It's called personal responsibility.  It's a shame we have to deal with overreacting government to "ensure" the safety of people.

[TeeDub]

Speaking of things people can't do anymore...   Remember when all the local schools used to have open campus for lunch?

It's all a plan by the man to keep us down.

[Townsend]

Speaking of things people can't do anymore...   Remember when all the local schools used to have open campus for lunch?

We'd leave campus for lunch and drive down the shoulder at 80 to 90 mph to get to Bueno, grab food, and haul back to campus in time to eat just before class started.  That might have something to do with it.

edit:  and the pot thing...