[Saskanna]

May 1, 2006

Red Mile turns ugly
Police issue 782 warnings, lay 15 charges and arrest 12 as crowd hits 18,000
By SARAH KENNEDY, CALGARY SUN


The Red Mile took on a scary life of its own Saturday with escalated violence, nudity and a police officer needing stitches after being attacked by one rowdy reveller.

Police and local shop owners fear if the crowd following Saturday's 3-2 win by the Flames against Anaheim Mighty Ducks is any indication, the worst may be yet to come.

One person was charged with assault after an officer received a serious cut to the leg, said Calgary police Insp. Paul Manuel.

And that was just one of about 1,000 incidents cops dealt with after the game between the Flames and the Ducks, he said.

"This was the largest crowd to date this year," said Manuel.

"We had 18,000 people down there and we gave out 782 warnings.

"When I see police officers getting hurt and bottles being thrown, I wouldn't call it a well-behaved crowd."

With crowds reaching such massive proportions in only the first round of playoffs, Manuel said police are concerned about where this could be headed.

"In 2004, this thing didn't really get started until the second series -- we have to prepare ourselves," he said.

Police patrolling the corridor were kept hopping after Game 5 -- arresting 12 people and laying 15 criminal charges for public nudity, impaired driving, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

Rana Mehrotra, owner of Indo-Designer Rugs Trading Inc., said although police are doing a fantastic job patrolling 17 Ave., the massive crowds make him nervous.

"If a rampage starts, there's no way any police officer can control it and I'm worried about the damage to my store," he said.

Mehrotra said during the 2004 playoffs, drunken fans urinated at the front of his store and smashed bottles in his doorway, and he's afraid the situation could escalate this year.

"I want them to win the Cup, I'm a season ticket holder -- I just wish there was another area for everyone to go."

Manuel said police are prepared for tonight's Game 6 at 9 MDT, which could see the Flames make it into the second round and set off a huge celebration on the Red Mile.

He said they still have the situation under control along 17 Ave., and they'll have to continue imposing their tougher crackdown to ensure it remains that way.

"All police officers want the Flames to do really well, but it's unfortunate because we have to go down and face that," he said.

Meanwhile, Edmonton police say they will be out in force on Whyte Ave. tonight to ensure fans don't get out of hand as the Oilers try to beat the Detroit Red Wings to secure their spot in the next round of the playoffs.

The Calgary SUN

[Blue_Nose]

Dumbasses think they're soccer fans... it's the first round, for Pete's sake.

[LABBATTS50]

Regardless of which round it is, it is unacceptable. They are going to ruin a great thing.

[twister]

looks like Calgary's going to have the same thing imposed that Vancouver did after 1994... "No Fun City Policy" They pretty much police everything with a heavy hand now... The cancelled SeaFest because of problems. drinking in Public etc. the Indy is now gone, the NBA pulled out... grey cup a couple of years ago was fun for the week but still... they want big events "scaled down"

[LABBATTS50]

What a country, people can blockade a highway without fear of arrest, but you can't flash titties.

That sucks

[LABBATTS50]

What if they were native tittie, would they be left alone?

[bootlegga]

WDHIII WDHIII:

Ya know not a lot of people were complaining two years ago when the main attraction was FLASHIN BOOBIES..... now that the cops have put an end to that its just a bunch of drunks.....

But you REALLY have to experience it to believe it.

I was in Cowtown for Game 4 of the Finals in 2004 and the Red Mile was awesome! And I saw hardly any boobies while I was there...but the atmosphere was electric.

Even the cops were nice. My brother and I met a couple who lived near the Red Mile at a bar and they gave us a bunch of beer to take back to the Red Mile after the game. A cop spotted the beer my brother and the other guy had and just took them away, dumped them out and tossed the empties into a recycle bin, adding "have fun".

It's sad if the cops are turning into the Gestapo like it sounds. My brother (who lives in Calgary), said the Red Mile is still fun but not like it was in 2004. I was hoping on going down if they got to the finals again this year (as I think they will), but this could put a real damper on our fun. Calgary has always been so much more of a party town than Edmonton, but it looks like they're trying to outdo us in this...

BTW, I wonder if Flamesgirls.com has any new photos...hehe

[Saskanna]

$1:

It's sad if the cops are turning into the Gestapo like it sounds.

Perhaps you'd feel differently if you owned a business in that area?

[Saskanna]

$1:

yes its true that some businesses are hurting because of it but the majority of them are makin' a killing!

I was thinking more along the lines of the destruction of property if these crowds continue to grow and become unruly? From the article I am assuming that police are responding to unruly behaviour and finding themselves overwhelmed? Perhaps their concerns about private property along the Red Mile has merit?

It doesn't take much for a crowd to become a mob these days. Last May 24th weekend here in Saskatchewan a bunch of drunken young people in a Park turned on three policemen and assaulted them and threw a female police officer in the lake. Luckily the police showed tremendous restraint and kept their weapons holstered. It could have turned very ugly. There seems to be a total lack of respect for authority amongst some segments of our society?

I actually thought Calgarians were showing remarkable tolerance and the police were being very very patient?

[Saskanna]

$1:

Perhaps youd feel diferently if Saskatchewan had an NHL team?

Perhaps! But Les Canadiens are going to win the cup anyway! Aren't they?

[twister]

at least les canadians have won cups in the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's, after expansion which was supposed to make it harder... 70's, 80's, and 90's.... hmmm 4 years left before 2010 still time... if not this year maybe another one this decade.

[canadian1971]

Gonna be quiet down there tonight.

[IkeaMan]

canadian1971 canadian1971:

Gonna be quiet down there tonight.

Too bad so sad....No Battle of Alberta either! Shucks!

[bossdog]

The Red Mile has been replaced by the Green Mile.

"Dead Men Walking"

[Arctic_Menace]

Calgary is gone.....FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!