Security / Police presence.

[TRL]

Police presence.
As a veteran firefighter and family member to many Lawman I'm very appreciative to the service provided by our public servants.

 That being said... the additional police presence during the festival last year in all black (NOT TELLURIDE PD) was uncomfortable. (Im clean as a whistle but does it matter)
I along with the rest of the crowd appreciate the added security and safety however it's difficult to really relax when soldiers are on alert standing and circling throughout the crowd. I witnessed two different times they were harassing people around me for smoking cigarettes* Only cigarettes. I was standing at the back by the privie boxes in what I thought was the smoking section (not the one smoking,I was going to refill h20 bottle.)
Again I am for added protection for our safety it's 2018 however there is a great take away and sobering effect from all the money I gave Fat Tire for my buzz.

  If Planet  can/would do anything..give those fellas embroidered polos or  t-shirts  and a talking to.... or just have the standard regular Telluride pd present ( who I respect with total Authority and witnessed doing their job fine for many years).
 I say this because I've spent the last 18 years working for one of the largest International festivals in the country (9wk show) and we have dealt with this before.

We've been sold on special security teams with terrorist prevention training along with some added security from sister counties and found it was more beneficial to the atmosphere to not have soldiers but real *emergency trained* approachable public servants who are not on a power trip
. 
Now our crowd averages 40k to 60k each weekend and it can seem overwhelming at times but it is succesfully handled besides we're not talking numbers that large for telluride.

This isnt 2nd Ward of Compton either this is Telluride Colorado and i know problems occur but we spend decent $$$ to get our assesto 8750' we don't need intimidation and harrasment.

Again no disrespect to our honorable protectors but the full black tacticle bdu angry faced unfriendly authoritarians are just soaking up the ego fuel.  IMO*

 Listening to: The rain

[BuckeyeDog]

TRL, what you say makes much sense. We need trained emergency personnel on site. There is no need, however, for the type of intimidation tactics you pointed out.
Here's a question, which will probably make you laugh. Is there any sort of "smoking" policy in Telluride, or at the Festival? In town, I think, you can't smoke indoors, and most places allow you to smoke outside as long as you don't litter up the street with cigarette butts. At the fest or in TP, there is plenty of smoking, but not much of it is tobacco. And the folks in TP that do smoke do a pretty good job of not littering up the place with their butts. As well, if there is fire danger, people are pretty careful.
In the fest, I have seen people smoke tobacco frequently, most just go out back between sets so as not to annoy (or burn) their neighbors. That's where I go for an occasional cigar with my beer. No security or policeman has ever bothered me yet. Plus, the cigars make good air freshners near the privvies.

[BillyBeru]

Wow, TRL, I missed last year and it’s truly a bummer to hear this. As the Dude says, let’s hope that those bleeping fascists aren’t there again this year or in the future.

[landshark]

 I always liked the low key approach to security and it has worked in the past but a new day boys is a real reality and impressed to hear they did step it up. However it does feel edgy and changes the vibe.

I will have my Squirt gun ready

[BillyBeru]

impressed to hear they did step it up.

Well here goes nothing..,

LS, why do you say you are impressed they stepped it up? Did you feel unsafe before and desired a more noticeable law enforcement presence?

[landshark]

impressed to hear they did step it up.

Well here goes nothing..,

LS, why do you say you are impressed they stepped it up? Did you feel unsafe before and desired a more noticeable law enforcement presence?

I would say sweet Billy I feel less safe in general ( keep in mind LV  last summer}and I think it was wise to be proactive. And what do you mean there goes nothing?

It is a bad idea to have security so visable at a Fest. Buzz kill fer sure. So no I dont want a heavy police presence. It is not a black or white question friend it is a very grey area that needs to be finessed as only PBG can do and will. They are fully aware and have evolved each year with improvments. So iquid situation to be dealt with differently each year I bet. Just my opinion MrB

AND let me tell you how I really feel about it.

 Listening to: The garden calling and Tony Rice Nine Pound Hammer

[FaceOnMars]

TRL:  interesting observations, but I didn't notice this presence so much myself ... although probably wasn't paying attention.   In any case,  I agree with you about emergency trained personnel being the emphasis.  The med tent is normally filled with first responders, and I believe the festival generally reaches out and provides access to the festival for many ... although it would be easy enough to insure all do.

Over the past ten years or so, there have been a few one-off's or two shows in a row held in Town Park (Phish, Neil Young, Pretty Lights, etc.).    There was definitely a noticeable and stark contrast to the general "feel" pertaining to security for the Pretty Lights show in particular.  I believe security was run entirely by a third party outfit such as Argus; nearly 100% of them were from the front range and traveled to Telluride for the event.  I witnessed one local getting heavy handed treatment and was personally evicted from Town Park on the afternoon the day before the show (imagine getting the boot from the TBF on wed).   I didn't argue (very much or long) with the Argus person and complied, but it was obvious she was concerned about doing her job "as described" without compromise.  I'm sure this sort of perspective serves the firm (i.e. Argus) well over the course of all events, but the one size cookie cutter fits all approach clearly didn't mesh well with Telluride.  I wasn't the only one.   Likewise, security search on the way in was full on (with rubber gloves).

Here's a kind of relevant link to the lead story in the TDP.  Wonder if they did any training pertaining to festivals and just don't talk about it publicly?

https://www.telluridenews.com/news/article_0d5242ac-54b4-11e8-8211-134b98303d13.html

[erndog]

Pretty sure the smoking policy at TBF is ‘no smoking’ - cigs or otherwise.  Whether or not that policy is enforced is something else altogether.

I was a volunteer last near the entrance to town park, and while I worked a few shifts during the festival, I had plenty of time to be in the festival.  I can’t say I recall the Black BDU guys as the OP describes, not that I was looking for them, but I just don’t remember seeing them or just never crossed paths with them.

[Debbiefromtucson]

Erndog- Thanks.. I was thinking to was my memory.. I did not notice any last year either.
Debbie

[zack_adcock]

Also didn't notice (really any) police presence last year - which I'm grateful for, I guess, though like the OP, I'm likely not the guy they're there for.  Here's to hoping this year is the same, and that there aren't any problems.

[Cindy Lou]

Badges! We don't need no stinking badges! There's a sign that says to smokers to please not smoke from the sound board forward, but once it gets dark that gets completely ignored because people are just rude when it comes down to it.   I often have to move to another spot to get away from it. Outside the nightgrass venues is pretty nasty too, and the cigarette butts are thick in the streets and sidewalks. Gross. Pick up your damn butts people! Carry a portabe ashtray that you can then empty into a trash receptacle which are on every block in Tride. Thanks for keeping the mountain air fresh and for not starting fires!

[ToddG]

Don't recall police presence at all. But I don't recall looking for them either.

 Listening to: Leftover Salmon-Hot Corn Cold Corn

[Skindr]

I also did not notice any unusual police presence.

[Granny1Pibb]

I didn't notice any change in security or police presence last year either.  I do like the idea of less imposing uniforms for non-Telluride security, though.

 Listening to: Birds!!

[KMurf]

I didn't notice either.   But I really wasn't paying much attention to that.