Asheville Civic Center Director David Pisha has announced a new policy. “Backpacks and bags larger than 1 foot by 1 foot will be prohibited from Friday’s Widespread Panic concert at the facility,” according to a press release Pisha issued today.
The press release, which is reprinted below, cites other new security measures, including “inspecting small bags at the Civic Center entrance and contracting with off-duty police officers to provide security inside the facility.”
Meanwhile, City Council member Carl Mumpower, who has advocated for stricter drug-control measures at and around Civic Center events, is encouraging the Asheville Police Department to ramp up its DWI-enforcement efforts in the vicinity of the concert. E-mails from Mumpower about the matter are reprinted below as well.
— Jon Elliston, news editor
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2007
City of Asheville
Asheville Civic Center
Contact: David Pisha
Day: (828) 259-5744
NEW CIVIC CENTER SECURITY PROCEDURES IN PLACE
No large bags allowed into Widespread Panic concert
The Asheville Civic Center today announced that backpacks and bags larger than 1 foot by 1 foot will be prohibited from Friday’s Widespread Panic concert at the facility. Signs communicating the new procedure will be placed in city-owned parking decks and in front of the Civic Center.
The measure is part of the Civic Center’s efforts to enhance security at the facility during large events.
“The Civic Center is dedicated to providing a safe, drug-free environment for our patrons, and prohibiting bags is one initiative that enhances our overall security efforts,” said Civic Center Director David Pisha.
Pisha cited other security enhancements, including inspecting small bags at the Civic Center entrance and contracting with off-duty police officers to provide security inside the facility.
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From: DrMumpower@aol.com
Date: April 12, 2007 7:08:20 AM EDT
To: jrichardson@ashevillenc.gov
Cc: WHogan@ashevillenc.gov, councilmail@ashevillenc.gov
Subject: Widespread Panic
Mr. Richardson,
It’s my understanding that the Widespread Panic concert stimulates a drug flea market in downtown Asheville around the event. One would imagine manpower strains on APD efforts to enforce the city’s drug laws with an attendance of 5,000+ individuals. May I inquire if we have requested assistance from the Sheriff’s Department and Highway Patrol for post event DWI coverage?
I look forward to hearing back from you on my earlier request to observe our DWI enforcement efforts.
Thank you,
Carl Mumpower
Asheville City Council
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From: DrMumpower@aol.com
Date: April 11, 2007 8:07:00 AM EDT
To: jrichardson@ashevillenc.gov
Cc: gjackson@ashevillenc.gov, WHogan@ashevillenc.gov
Subject: Widespread Panic Concert
April 11, 2007
From: Carl Mumpower
To: Jeff Richardson, Assistant City Manager
Subj: Post event DUI interventions and observation opportunities
Mr. Richardson,
It is my understanding that the Widespread Panic concert is typically an event with a high level of drug activity and public intoxication. Noting that there is an anticipated attendance of 5,000+ participants in the main arena, would it be possible to (1) get an understanding of our planned post event DUI enforcement interventions and (2) have the opportunity to observe those enforcement efforts directly? Thank you for your assistance.
Carl Mumpower
Asheville City Council
I have been reading some about this Mumpower characters actions….Is this guy a joke or what? Is this the type of reactionary rightest people yall want representing Asheville? Are there ever any problems at the concerts? High numbers of arrests or anything like that? I think not, this guy is playing the publicity card…What a Joke.
You mean a politician being a self promoter? No way.
Also, who are you to be an authority on who should represent us when you can’t even spell y’all correctly?
I was at the show and it did not smell like Good clean fun to me,and rules were not being enforced.most people where chain smoking Cigaretts,Polutting the air,it was very Offensive,very!!!!!! i went to some cops to see what they could do ,and they acted like they were not even going to do a thing(pathetic),but then i started raising my voice in protest told them I was gonna go to “news13” and voice my opinions,They then quickly moved into action after that remark!…….cigarettes kill they are the biggest killers of all,but yet they are excepted as if its the NORM even to drug crusader MR,MUMMBLES..The show was Great but the air in side the civic center was HEAVELY polluted with cigarette smoke (very un-enjoyable,not to mention very Hypocritical) there was a large haze of Cigarette smoke with in the civic center,i actually took in hits of smoke from other peoples cigaretts continuously through out the entirety of the concert some of the people i seen smoking Cigaretts looked UNEDRAGE to be useing tabacco products,IS THAT NOT ILLEAGAL so why was that not being Enforced,not to mention the civic center is a NON-SMOKING Facility ~ again why was that NOT being enforced !