[caverdan]

I had the best time at FIBARK this year. Congratulations to all that made it happen. Maybe I'll be back next year.

The only thing that will stop me is the attitude that the police had on Saturday night. Boaters are such a rough crowd and all. :roll:

I'm wondering if others noticed it? Did anyone get a good veiw of the young lady getting slam dunked to the pavement by the 250+ lbs. cop? I was in front of the Vic, and saw this cop give her a major shove down. Major enough that they called in an ambulance to take her to the hospital before they hauled her into jail. Naturally her boyfriend was also arrested on the spot.

Was anyone standing closer or have the low down on just what went on?

When I laft the Vic that night, I over heard them laughing about it. What a bunch of morons. It was a total turn off to a most excellent event. But I'll be thinking twice about attending another one.

 

[Jiberish]

I thought the vail cops were worse.....

hehe...
Ben Guska

 

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

cops are cops are cops...the world over. they love to beat people and that's why they're cops

 

[highspeed]

I wasnt there and can't speek to this event, but I work in health care and work with a lot of cops. There are bad apples just like anything else but the majority are great people who just want to help others and want to be safe and go home to their families at the end of the shift. I have a ton of respect for what they do and what they have to put up with. Think about it from their prespective.

Kyle

 

[mthurman]

I'm calling bullshit

I'm with the above post. In fact, I am tired of some of the cop bashing I see here. Most cops are great people and bust their ass for little pay and the simple pride that they help keep the wheels on the big machine.

I only know 4 cops personally and I have NOTHING but the utmost respect for all 4 of those guys. They get paid squat, are expected to make perfect decisions 24/7 regardless of conditions and maintain perfect composure regardless of any outside influences. Our expectations for them are between high and perfection. High for dealing with others, perfect for dealing with us.

I couldn't fill those expectations and honestly, I don't know many folks who could. Maybe that is why I only know 4 cops and about 1,500 "technology people". Point is, most of the cops out there do a hell of a job considering what we expect from them. And what's more, all 4 cops I konw have to have 2nd jobs to support their families. And none of these guys live large. So they are usually working an extra 10-30 hours every week to make ends meet. Maybe that is why we don't see too many on the river.

And as the above post said, at the end of the day, just like us after a day on the river, they just want to go home and see their family.

If you see a cop do something wrong, report it and follow through. Sure its a little work, but worth it. Our system is largely setup to openly monitor those bad apples. Good cops thinks legitimate complaints against police are paramount. They don't want pretenders or head cases making them look bad.

Are there bad cops? Sure. Are some departments worse than others? Sure. But by and large, cops are good folks who try hard to make our lives better.

Flame away.

 

[mvhyde]

I saw the incident you wrote about

She and her boyfriend or whatever he was were not very nice to the cops and well.......use that kinda language with me and make those kinds of threats to me, I might just punch your ticket for good :twisted:

They also had some personal items on them they should have left at home...

 

[Guest]

F.T.P

 

[jennifer]

Yeah, the few cops I know are really good people. People tend to bash cops when they see "unusual" force, but this typically does NOT happen if people just cooperate with them. They either get bashed for being too aggressive, or they end up dead or completely unable to do their job if they don't get people under control. Glad it's not my job!

 

[Ken Vanatta]

Thank you allforattending and enjoying.

This post, of course, caught my eye. As a member of the FIBArk BOD, I want to express a collective "Thanks" to all who attended FIBArk this year. It appears to have been the biggest and best ever. Here is a link to the local newspaper if you care to hear some of the local feedback: http://www.themountainmail.com/ . Because of the record crowds, 110 kegs of beer served at the festival, the record sales at the surrounding taverns and liquor stores and the scorching tempatures, I'd say that everybody was having a maximum amount of fun, and a few had more than the law allowed. The cops have a tough job during any such event as this. However, overall it seemed to us that the atmophere, again, was one of maximum enjoyment had by most all who attended. And we are so thankful for that. FIBArk definitely is "The Greatest Whitewater Festival" on earth. And... guess what? Next year is alreay well underway. We are on the radar screen of potentially being picked up by ESPN, OLN, RSN, and the likes. Numerous scouts and promo-developers were here scoping us out. Even Extreme Skier and RSN host Glen Plake made the scene and joined us in commentary during the Hooligan race and Men's Pro Freestyle events. We are on our way! Next year promises better cermonies for the athletes, improvements on some events, and continued fine tuning towards perfection of this fantastic four day festival in one of the most perfect locations on earth. Salidan's are very fortunate to live here year round, and we love having all the visitors come play in our paradise. We enjoyed having you all and you were GREAT! See you here next year. Cheers to everyone! -- Ken Vanatta

 

[Livingston]

stereotypes

Right on Highspeed. I'd have to agree too. Yes, there are jerks in every group. Some of those bell curves may be shifted to either extreme depending on who you're talking about, but try to resist the urge to stereotype. Sure, it's a timesaver, but it's just being ignorant and shallow.

If us kayakers start giving cops an attitude as a group, we'll create a stereotype of our own. You want a cop rummaging through your car? How about those take-out-beers, open container? Other?

I spent a w/e in Vegas back in May to celebrate my best friend from high school's batchelor party. He's now a cop in my hometown. I break about half-a-dozen laws on an average day, so it was a bit strange partying it up with 5 cops! I'd say we didn't agree on every (most) issue, but they were more informed than most of the chatterboxes on this forum. Overall they were good guys, doing a job just like the rest of us. We all had a blast and I'd do it again. Can't wait to get pulled over next time back in Richmond Indiana!

-d

 

[holmes]

I agree with all whom posted above - FibArk was better than ever this year! Great music, great events, great beer and great people!

But I also agree with the OP - the cops were unusually agro and unwarranted assholes throughout the weekend! I did not once see anyone giving the cops grief, but on numerous ocassions did see the cops giving other people grief. From the unnecessary snide remarks, to full-on beat downs, the cops were on the prowl. They were trying to criminalize the situation rather than serving and protecting. This is actually not that uncommon for that valley (Salida to BV), and not unlike my hometown of Winter Park, but it was borderline harrasment. It was very clear the cops made it an us-against-them situation all weekend. And they created this situation from everything I saw.

I am not a cop basher by any means! I just tell it like I see it. You people whom were not even present at FibArk, and are jumping on the "don't bash a cop" bandwagon need to check yourselves, just like the cops around Salida need to check themselves! There can be peaceful coexistence, if we all just stay out of eachothers' business and mind our own!

 

[BastrdSonOfElvis]

word

 

[mvhyde]

FIBark rocked

I haven't been in many years and I have to admit.... it was absolutely cool, except for the weather..that was baking. My wife loved it, and my kid.... what 4 1-/2 yr old wouldn't? He got to paddle his boat a couple times and then play on all that inflatable stuff. The pugil sticks was his fav, he got to whack his old man and mom for all the times we tell him to pick up the damn legos!

 

[Livingston]

I was there and was in a state to be arrested myself, I saw cops chase some teenagers down an alley from the Vic. No idea what they did, but they tried to hide in a stairwell and got caught. They were pulled out a bit violently, sure. But come on now, if you did something that resulted in a FOOT CHASE, do you expect the cops to politely ask you to stop and lay down? That's the only thing I saw

Funny sidenote, someone (pleading the 5th) used my cop friend's name last year after an NSV run while getting stopped by a ranger after illegaly paddling across Buttonrock.

-d

 

[esp]

Frist off, I have to say that I was down by the river, and dont ask me what her name was cause I cant remember, but I do know a bit about what went on.

The guy who was arrested is a friend of mine, but i have not seen him since before this incident, and have not yet met his girlfriend.

Another friend of mine is a cop who was there working, was just around the corner when the initial scuffle took place. He actually doesent work for Salida PD, he works for one of the other agencies in the valley.

The ambulance there was a coincidence. They were responding to a woman having a diabetic emergency.

My cop friend told me that to his knowledge, no statements had been given by any witnesses. He also said eye witness statements would be helpful with this situation.

My cop friend is one of the good cops. And as Mike said(BTW where the hell were you?):

"If you see a cop do something wrong, report it and follow through. Sure its a little work, but worth it. Our system is largely setup to openly monitor those bad apples. Good cops thinks legitimate complaints against police are paramount. They don't want pretenders or head cases making them look bad."
Is exactly his position as well. So it sounds to me, even after talking to my cop friend, that a statement from any of you all that witnessed this event could prove helpful to my buddy that found his ass in jail.

So don't hesitate to contact the Salida PD, because at the moment there are two different stories about what happened.

 

[caverdan]

Like I said, I only caught part of it, and it wasn't pretty. E-mail me, I met a friend of a friend that says he saw it all. Maybe I can get him in touch with your friend.

I've been going to Fibark off and on since the 80's. I'm an older private boater and business man from Colorado Springs. I'm not afraid to complain about what I saw, but I only witnessed a split second of the accident. That's why I posted to see if anyone was closer. Yes, this incident should be reported to the police.

I'm wondering who shoved who, first. It sounds like the policeman may have had a right to arrrest her, but they are suppose to be professional enough in their duties to not be throwing the first punch, (or shove as in this case).

I too know a few LEO's. That's why I know that they are not suppose act out in anger. It's part of their training. Arrest people, yes. Throw a women on the ground because they were verbally abused (from a woman, no less). I say NO!

 

[esp]

caverdan,

thanks for the help. just have your friend contact the Salida PD directly. There will be more validity to the complaint if there is no collusion involved.

SPD phone number 719 539 6880.

Thanks

 

[caverdan]

I'll pass on the info. Hopefully it will benefit your friend.

SYOTR

 

[surfpiper]

You know.. if you treat cops like shit, you're going to be hauled off to jail. 99% of cops are upstanding people who have always showed me a great deal of respect.

On another note, when you're drunk in public.. you're the only one having a good time. To everyone else, you're a problem. Especially cops. These guys have to put up with a lot of shit everyday, they don't need some punk ass kayakers giving them attitude. In the end, someday you're going to need their help... and what comes around, goes around.

 

[esp]

Where you there?