COLORADO SPRINGS- Channel 5/30 News reporters were called away from the World Arena last Saturday to cover a stabbing at a public music event at the flea market. A fight broke out in a crowd of 2000 people and the first responders found themselves undermanned. Fortuitously, riot police had been standing by at the Democratic State Convention. At 1:30pm, this contingent (or fraction) was redeployed to provide backup. The KOAA TV camera captured the hardware the CSPD had anticipated needing to provide convention security on this otherwise harmonious and peaceful, uncloudy and idyllic Colorado Springs Saturday at the World Arena.
The riot police arrived via a sleepy Mountain Metro Transit bus.
Anticipating a violent confrontation.
Full and half plexi-glass shields.
Do CSPD officers wear caps anymore?
Looking for provocation.
Showing their number.
“Coincidentally, a ‘crowd control’ team of police officers equipped with riot gear was already on standby across town at the State Democratic Convention.”
Many in Colorado Springs are afraid to upset the status quo. I am not afraid of the status quo. I take my hat off to Eric Verlo for attending the democratic convention.