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“I think that there needs to be more responsibility on the part of those who attend the festival. I don’t think there should be a huge police presence, and the police who are there need to understand that the people are there to appreciate the music, not to cause problems.”

— Angel Lang, filmmaker, Lawrence

“No. I think that as long as people out there are safe, they should be able to indulge themselves. As long as there is no violence.”

— Cordelia Brown, radio announcer, Lawrence

“No, unless it’s a safety issue. It’s just fine the way it was last year.”

— Larry Carter, musician, Lawrence

“I think that there needs to be a presence, but not an overwhelming one. Enough to make people feel safe.”

— James Moore, bartender, Lawrence

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Kelly Powell 7 years, 1 month ago

Nobody wants cops around until their stuff is stolen or someone breaks their nose.....

classclown 7 years, 1 month ago

"... and the police who are there need to understand that the people are there to appreciate the music, not to cause problems."

Actually, the people that attend the festival need to understand this.

happygolucky 7 years, 1 month ago

classclown-Most who attend to understand that. But with all things, there are always a few who can't seem to grow up. The only problem I've ever had was with the police. they like to hide with binoculars and pick on those who they "think" may have pot or something. I have never had anyone mess with my tent, and I have left my iPod and digi camera laying about.

As far as a strong police presence, why? It's just a bunch of music loving hippy types. If they can't bust the illegal mexican, who screams they are illegal, then why mess with the local getting his groove on?

paladin 7 years, 1 month ago

Yes, I think they should put the biggest policemen that they have out there. As was previously discussed here, sometimes girth is desirable. But, they should not be overwhelmimg, cause, as was also discussed, finesse often makes a stronger impression and is more appreciated. Maybe the smaller policemen shoud just stay at the station and let the big guys handle it.

bankboy119 7 years, 1 month ago

What kind of movies can a 12 year old make?

No, I don't believe it's necessary for a 'heavy' police presence to be out there.

blessed3x 7 years, 1 month ago

Do the organizers pay for the police presence?

trinity 7 years, 1 month ago

totally agree with classclown, here. good call!

mushflorp 7 years, 1 month ago

Yea we can pay a bunch of big & small ones to march around the new roundabout right outside the park! James can sit in the middle and feel safe.

cutny 7 years, 1 month ago

I say we leave it up to Marion! Thanks

priceiswright 7 years, 1 month ago

The key prhase at any festival for security or law enforcement is to "maintain the peace". Where there is peace, let it be. The biggest question would be how many reports of, or arrests for violent crimes have there been the last two years? I don't believe I have heard of any.

paladin 7 years, 1 month ago

o_m_b-I didn't say anything about the presence at the funnel cake concession, though, yet.

RonBurgandy 7 years, 1 month ago

Only around the people from Topeka.

RonBurgandy 7 years, 1 month ago

Where was this ots question asked? I am lost now...

Ceallach 7 years, 1 month ago

I for one do not think they should send the heavy police out there to provide a presence. After all, a lot of walking or even running may be involved and I think lighter, better conditioned police would be the wiser choice. Bigger is not always better, oftimes speed, endurance and the ability to discipline one's self are major success factors when seeking to make your presence known.

beatrice 7 years, 1 month ago

I think if they could get Sting and the other members of the Police to reunite, it would be a big draw. So yes to a Police presence.

bankboy119 7 years, 1 month ago

TOB, you could just go to Mexico as well. Not illegal anymore.

trinity 7 years, 1 month ago

ronburgandy, i'm having an absolutely un-exciting day; got any mind-numbing, aggravating, yet FUN puzzle or game links to offer??

;)

ms_canada 7 years, 1 month ago

Oh boy, it is festival time. Our Folk Music Festival is always the second weekend in Aug. I can hardly wait. We never have any police prescence. This year is the 27th festival and I have only missed one and have never seen one police officer on site. The organizers have their own security force who are invisible. Bags are checked at both entrances and booze is not allowed and is confiscated. There is a beer, wine and vodka cooler garden for those so inclined. Music festival people are a breed all on their own.
And I think folk music fans are different. Our festival is attended by close to 20,000 f. m. lovers and is very orderly and peaceful and as someone above mentioned, safe. I never hesitate to leave stuff at my tarp and have never had anything taken. If police are needed at any gathering they should be there and visible. That is my 4 cents worth.

acg 7 years, 1 month ago

No there doesn't need to be a heavier police presence. Leave the Wak Fest revelers alone. They aren't hurting anyone. God forbid anyone have any fun these days. Someone out there is being offended by it, you can be sure.

lunacydetector 7 years, 1 month ago

there should be a huge police presence and they should have their drug sniffing dogs for all the dopers.

they need some big name acts too. or, some bands people have actually heard of.

trinity 7 years, 1 month ago

in response to the question-i'd much prefer a lite police presence; the unis look so much sexier on slim, ripped officers! ;)

RonBurgandy 7 years, 1 month ago

trinity - here you go...

http://www.onemorelevel.com/3dpong.php

Daniel Speicher 7 years, 1 month ago

Last year I watched a sixteen year old teen almost kill herself because she took way too much speed. Furthermore, a couple of people died from similar overdoses. I'm tired of this community glossing over the drug problem at the Wak Music Fest and basically saying, "Well, a binge once a year is ok"... It's not. Overdosing is overdosing... It will kill you either way.

So, a stronger police presence? Yeah... I'd say so. And, this year... The ones that are there probably ought to stop someone from shooting up or popping pills in front of them.

--Danny Speicher

acg 7 years, 1 month ago

Lunacy you're one of those people that gets thoroughly annoyed by anyone else ever having any fun that you don't approve of, aren't you? I can just picture you in your front yard, in a tattered old robe, squirting the kids that come to close to your grass with a garden hose. You don't care for the bands, or the element or the "dopers" than stay the hell away from Wak Fest. Trust me, those of us that enjoy Wak Fest will not miss any grumpy, eternally p*ssed off, judgmental jerks if they decide not to join us that weekend.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 1 month ago

Thanks Ron! I got an embarrassingly low 108 and now I've just admitted that I played Pong! YEASH!

I agree with Trinity's 10:23 post. Exactly my thinking!

acg 7 years, 1 month ago

ROFLMAO. No one shoots up at Wak Fest. Wow, talk about alarmist. How did we start equating smack users with pot smokers? And no one shot up at Wak Fest in front of a cop. Give me a freaking break. Bottom line, if that's not your scene, stay away from it. Like I stated earlier, no one is going to miss a bunch of Debbie Downers.

acg 7 years, 1 month ago

Das, you kill me. You know, Chuck Norris counted to infinity....twice. ; )

Daniel Speicher 7 years, 1 month ago

You can call it alarmist all you want, acg... I would call your position naieve. I'm not saying that everyone does it... Nor am I saying that most do it. But, there is a good number who do. And, I know what I saw as my friend brought her sixteen year old friend over to the house puking, blacking out and in tremendous pain as she came down off of the LSD she had taken. When she came down her and her friend told me about the crowd they were with and there certainly were those who were shooting up and tons more popping pills. I'm not concerned about the potheads... They aren't the ones killing themselves. I'm concerned about the harder substances there. I've been to WakFest twice and I have seen far more drugs used than weed... I assure you my position is not one of an alarmist, but a realist.

As far as police combating drugs... It needs to happen. All facetious "Columbian drug dealer" remarks aside, this is an event in which illegal drugs flourish. If the police are not the ones controlling it, who should be? It is completely irresponsible to say that no one should be... So, who, then, should we call in to solve this problem? Chuck Norris is far too busy... He's currently involved in a lawsuit... He's suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

--Danny Speicher

badger 7 years, 1 month ago

But Ubermime, Chuck Norris is so slim and trim!

How can he be a heavier police presence without a beer gut?

Seriously, a gathering needs enough security to keep major accidents and injuries from happening and to keep things reasonably peaceful, but not so many that they get bored and start ticketing loud couples for disturbing the peace at night. Seems like the organizers are worried about people just coming to the show because it's a good market for selling drugs, and that's a valid worry.

I'd like to see the Wak fest succeed, and if that means they have to put a few more cops out there, then that's probably a good thing. Luckily, there will be too many hippies for the cops to just hassle hippies like they usually do, so they may actually have to do some honest thinking about who might have drugs.

irnmadn88 7 years, 1 month ago

Personally, I would like to see a Police presence at the festival...

But somehow, I don't think Sting, Andy, and Stuart will be there...

cutny 7 years, 1 month ago

Nice to see what Cordelia Brown looks like, after all these years of listening to her on KANU. Such a pleasant radio voice and nice radio show she puts on.

OldEnuf2BYurDad 7 years, 1 month ago

There have been a lot of posts here about drugs, but I honestly think that alcohol is likely to have a greater influence on whether or not things get out of control. Ganga-weed buzzes don't normally encourage violent behaviors, but if you get a bunch of drunks together in a city other than their own, they can really get out of hand. And, from a health standpoint, the combination of booze and warm weather can be deadly. I think the cops will be busier with alcohol-related incidents than with any other kind of calls.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 1 month ago

I'm taking my daughter to "The Mikado" tonight. Should we be more worried about people "shooting up" in the parking lot or the Phelps gang? Should I hire an escort to the door or will the violence break out during the opera? What should I wear? I'm really worried now.

Ceallach 7 years, 1 month ago

s_s: Phelps is a very strong possibility!!! Several years ago I was taking my then junior high granddaughter to see her first opera, "Madam Butterfly." The Phelps group scared her to death, plus I had to tell her to just look straight ahead and not pay any attention to them or their signs. They wave the most disgusting signs you can imagine . . . apparently Fred's god doesn't mind if the Phelps family use pornography to make their point! rantfumerave

Just can't let them mar your good time, we didn't, she now says that opera is one of her favorite memories :)

Wear what you like -- you will see every type of attire -- however, I would not recommend pleather.

sunflower_sue 7 years, 1 month ago

Shoot, I had the pleather outfit laid out on the bed. Yes, I've walked past many "Phelpsters" at the Lied. Only once did I comment and I innocently asked if Fred posed for the pictures on the signs. My bad!

bangaranggerg 7 years, 1 month ago

I'd rather my tax money be spent on police for the city not for stinky hippies who were able to sell enough grilled cheese sandwiches at the last festival they were at to buy drugs for this one. Wakarusa continues to grow and there isn't enough city out that way for that money to leak into area buisnesses, that it's simply not cost effective, Waka just needs to up their security budget, get more Mil-specs or something.

Ceallach 7 years, 1 month ago

He may not have posed, but apparently he and his evil spawn like to look at it :)

Easy_Does_It 7 years, 1 month ago

This is a funny question. I personally would be OK for a Cop to sit in a lawn chair in my front yard 24/7. But if I was to go rob a bank I'd prefer that they all just hang at the Dunkin Doughnuts.

Why not let more cops hang, I'm sure they like music and fresh air just like everyone else? It's all about inclusion man.

All we are saying is "Give peace 'officer' a chance".