Devon Barclay
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Happy 4th!To all who enjoyed a WONDERFUL fireworks - err... aerial illuminations - display in Citizen's Park tonight, thanks for coming out and I hope you had a great time! We're SO lucky to live in a place where you can see the fireworks up so close that they literally fill the visible sky, and the booms shake your very ribs. One really cool surprise was to have local kids start suddenly singing patriotic tunes from within the crowd. What an event.
As someone who grew up in Australia with a British parent, the celebration of your little "insurrection" is something I enjoy on several levels - some of them tongue-in-cheek. But to me, Independence Day is more than a patriotic celebration - it's a testimony to the fact that good friends, united in purpose, willing to take risks, and unafraid to fight by their principles and honor, can make the impossible dreams they hardly dare whisper into reality.
Happy 4th of July, everyone. I hope you have your dearest friends and loved ones closeby, and that you enjoy a wonderful, safe, and fun holiday!
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Guest
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I heard somebody got stabbed while several hundred people watched and did nothing.
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JB Freeman
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Happy 4th indeed!Devon,
Thanks for your post, and for reminding us here in Edgewater what a find place this is, and how much finer it can become when people come together for good causes. Well said!
To my fellow Edgewater Otters, Happy 4th - it's good to a part of this town.
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JB Freeman
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Stabbing?Guest, there is nothing in the on-line verions of our two dailies, or on 9 News on-line. I hope the story waas false and there was nothing but enjoyment at last night's event.
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Guest
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Actually one person was stabbed in the stomach and another lost a portion of his finger at a gang fight near the pavilion. One person both had to have surgery but no one died.
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Guest
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If you have not learned by now the news rarely prints what goes on here because we don't have enough of a viewing base.
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doubter
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I don't belive that happened, sounds like sour grapes. Devon works in the print media maybe he can make some inquiries.
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Guest
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The Chief of Police has confirmed a stabbing. He did not release any details.
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Devon Barclay
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3rd of JulyAre you kidding?
Guys, roughly 20,000 people came to our fireworks. That's about four times our city's population. THAT'S HUGE!
This sort of conversation just beats me. I had a great time, as did (at least) 19,999 other people. Volunteers, picking up trash after the event, heard that there might have been a stabbing and a missing finger. Without specific details of when and where in Citizen's Park, we combed the entire park and found nothing. I tell you - if someone had cut off one of my fingers, I'd be telling everyone about the general area where it happened, and demand someone get my finger back!
As the entire police department was out in force, and even detectives were combing the park, I'm sure if a gangfight had erupted during the festivities (or shortly after) they'd have taken notice and stopped it. The police I talked to as I was picking up trash afterwards certainly didn't mention a gangfight, and there weren't any cops checking out the area around the pavilion. My 'news sources' don't know about anything.
As it is, maybe we'll add the 'Ghost Finger' to Edgewater's hall of legends. It can ride Roger the Elephant.
Some folks just can't handle a good thing without trying to pour mud on it. Edgewater has the BEST 3rd of July fireworks in the Metro area - perhaps anywhere! Let's all be glad we can enjoy the show, and the holiday that follows!
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Guest
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Easy way to find out. Your a reporter! Get a copy of the report and report.
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Guest
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3rd. of JulyI fail to see why one insignificant gang fight, real or rumor, has anything to do with the fireworks in the park other than when large groups of people gather sometimes there are incidents like that. It happens everywhere all the time. I don't care. And if a few hundred people chose not to jump in the middle of a knife brawl, I would say they acted rationally.
That is why our PD is present. I'm certain they would have advised the crowd to not become involved, as well.
On the other hand, the fireworks this year was one of the best displays Edgewater has staged in recent memory (although, I'm surprised at how nice it is every year)
It is always a much anticipated event enjoyed by many and that is what I will remember.
Our 3rd of July celebration is a sweet little tradition.
Good for us! 
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***caryn***
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newsWe don't to to the park to watch the fireworks but we get one of the best shows we have ever seen..
I walked into the house and there the fireworks were on TV live on 9 and 7... they even said that it was EDGEWATER ..... and then 7 news was playing it on the morning news on the 4th. Saying Edgewater was starting off the 4th with a BANG!.. How cool it that???
 CONGRATULATIONS!! Edgewater Volunteer Fire Department on a wonderful brilliant show this year...
we live on Lamar and people were parked all the way up to our house and beyond.. I love it..
I was also told that the crowd broke into song.* that just brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it. Now that is what I call patriotism..
We Love our City and our Country
HAPPY 4TH.
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JB Freeman
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Kudos, last Guest, and Edgewater!Guest,
You rightly point out that we should rely on our police to intervene in gang fights, not try to be "heroes" ourselves. I wonder if the guest who first posted the remark on hundreds looking on noticed how many cell phones in the crowd might have been dialing 911 - the sensible response in this situation.
You and Devon rightly point out that some 20,000 people were there for the festivities that Caryn tells us were broadcast - with credit to EDGEWATER- on local news. With 90+% of us enjoying the show from home, that means 19500+ out-of-towners were here and we apparently had some small number (maybe 20-50, to be generous?) who were rotten apples. That's a max of maybe 1/4% of the out-of-towners who were there to be jerks - not close to what happens in LoDo on any given night. And our fine Police Department took care of the rotten apples - the barrel was still overflowing with the good.
So again, kudos to Our Town, Our Volunteer Fire Department, Our Police Department, Our clean-up volunteers AND all the great folks who came from out-of-town to celebrate with us and come away with a good impression of Edgewater as a great place to live, and to visit.
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fireworks-in the sky/soul
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to be or not to be...a heroI agree the fireworks were a show to be marveled and congrats to the VFD for another wonderful show!!!
With regard to being a "hero" or/and "innocent bystander" that is a psychological phenomenon that essentially covers the more people present during a crime, the less likely for anyone to intervene. I guess it is a personal call- especially if an officer was not standing by 5 feet from the incident - but I prefer to take action, intervene and help others whenever possible - albeit - in the safest way possible, but if everyone in the vicinity interevened- perhaps a different outcome could occur. I prefer the "responsible and involved community member" vs the "innocent bystander". Just a thought about how different our world could be... what if it were you being attacked in the middle of a crowd...what would you wish for? I'd certainly want a hero or ten to step up.
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Guest
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I love the 4th but have you considered the cost.
Target basically was forced to shut down at 7:30 p.m. because the lot was jammed with spectators roasting hot dogs and marshmellos on thier grills. In addition Target kept the parking lot lights on trying to discourage fireworks spectators from parking in there lot. Spectators countered by removing the access panels on the light poles and cutting the wires. After the 4th pole Target gave up and shut them all off.
King Soopers had similar problems and tried to stop the flow with five armed security officers who ultimately lost the battle.
I don't think the City plans to refund the lost revenue to Target or pay for the lot clean up.
I guess I was born in a different time and place where I would not even think of bringing my kids to a cookout in a target lot. God help us.
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Guest
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I agree ! If I ever bring my kids to a Target lot for a picnic I hope someboody shoots me in the head.
Did anyone from the City warn Target ?
It's no wonder that dictatorships have re education camps.
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figures
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I bet the guys wielding the knifes  , and the ones, who just got up and left their trash on the ground  and the ones, fiddlings with the light boxes at Target are related. They sure have the same mentality, morals and upbringing.
 NONE!!
some peoples kids and what lessons are they teaching their kids.
If they are the future them I" m  Scared
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The Harlander
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I do not like multiple post in different unrelated forums but ,I feel compelled to address the "finger issue" that cast a pall over our last 4th of July Celebration. So here goes:
Bone, muscle, sinew. I find it hard to believe a simple knife fight would have caused the loss of a fillange. An organ possibly, the heart, a kidney, lung or major artery, certainly not a quick swipe of the blade in a moment of passion taking out a minor human limb. It is the stuff of urban legends crying out for more attention than the young voices singing the National Anthem or God Bless America in harmony with the aerial illuminations from above.
Ask anyone who has cut up a chicken for a 4th of July BBQ. It just ain’t that easy.
Thank you to the person that caused the impromptu chorus of patriotic poetry. It made me proud to be an American and an Edgewaterite and will be a longer lasting memory to my mind, than the case of the "lost finger". 
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Devon Barclay
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OK, So, way late...Turns out, the whole finger thing happened in some bloke's house, and was pretty much unrelated to our fireworks.
Meanwhile, I hear these complaints:
1) Our police can't handle all those folks in our town
2) All these visitors are trampling our ground
3) Someone got unruly at Target
C'mon. Give me a break. Wow! Too many people came to Edgewater to eat at our restaurants, shop at our businesses, watch our fireworks, and walk through our park?
Forget cancelling the show. Let's call in the National Guard in case those unruly types show up next year for a repeat performance. Personally, I'd recommend nerve gas.
....or, we could hire vendors, make a day of it, and turn a few bucks in this town. Me, I favor the nerve gas.
Let's have a LITTLE vision, folks.
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Make it so?
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Make it safe.OK - let's figure out how to make it safer.
Our police chief has told us his opinion, as did the fire chief.
So, we still want fire works? Let the Stick readers figure out how to make it safe - on our budget.
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Caryn
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I have stood up two years in a row and suggested that we collect money for the fireworks. Have representatives from the EFD walk the crowd with boots and collect money, or have places set up at the corners as you are exiting the park.
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Guest
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Message to Devon,
How do you figure the knife fight happened in someones house. It happened in the park by the gazebo and I have a copy of the report to prove it.
I guess that's why no one reads the paper because reporters usually write what they want and not the facts.
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Guest
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A cop told me it happened in a private home. I don't make it a habit to pay for Police reports on every incident that happens in Edgewater. I believe Devon heard the same verson I did. Does that make Devon a bad guy? I don't think so but, just to make sure I'm going to get that Police report.
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Guest
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No one said Devon's a bad guy but reporters are supposed to report on facts not hearsay. I can't imagine one of our cops telling him that unless he got it from someone in another jurisdiction.
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Guest
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Devon is not a reporter at this time, probably won't be in the future. The last time I checked the Talking Stick is not an online newspaper. So do you have a case number on the finger incedent so that I can cut my "investigation" to the quick.
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Devon Barclay
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Oh, for God's sake...FACT: Devon is no longer a professional reporter.
FACT: Devon WAS a reporter, and with half a decade of experience in the industry, can tell the difference between a credible source and junk posted on the 'stick. Bring me your report (or a finger!). I spent a good part of my night looking for it.
Let's talk about something productive. The real issue here? A HUGE celebration, and the tens of thousands of neighbors and friends it brought together VS. rumours of some junk that happened that I've seen little news of.
If we need to make 3rd of July safer, then yeah, let's do it. Let's talk about how. This is a great forum for that, if we're willing to be 'helpful' as citizens. I like the fundraising drive idea, and I like picking out a street or two and asking for a couple of bucks to park there. I like even having some neighbors volunteer to help the cops, and maybe even get radios, to call in trouble. I'm willing.
I DON'T like people saying that because some parking lot got full of people, that's a good reason to shut the thing down. That sounds like a reason to hire more vendors, rent out space at Invesco, hire a shuttle, and expand the event.
As a personal aside - I'm becoming a frequent topic on this 'stick these days, though I log on less and less. If you've got an issue, just call me - my cell is 720-841-8196.
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JamieMac.
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Some thoughtsSorry you are feeling singled out, Devon. It happens to just about everyone who posts here, at one time or another.
Controversy is great stuff, and we thrive on it in this little town. That's one of the reasons for the Stick, I think - to feed the need.
Hang in there. Someone elses turn will come up soon.
I do like the idea of the Stick gang coming up with some ideas to make our fireworks display safer. Council has the topic on an upcoming work schedule, and it would be nice if some ideas could be presented then.
The police and fire chief each have their own thoughts about why it isn't safe anymore. Perhaps we could get a list of the issues and what they may need to solve them.
I don't know if citizens can be 'deputized' anymore, but there may be something there. What kind of liability issues are there in citizens volunteering as security?
I also like the idea of raising more funds to assist. That's something to talk about. What type of fundraisers can we come up with before the next show? I like the boot idea for the actual show, but it seems to me that was ruled out for some reason that I think (I could be wrong here) had to due with the fire departments non-profit rules. Anyone know what I'm talking about? (More than I know what I'm talking about? :)
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Devon Barclay
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ideas for 3rd of JulyJust surprised, that's all. This morning I'm kinda liking my 15 minutes :)
I wasn't thinking so much of deputizing citizens, but I can't see a reason 10-15 people couldn't get a radio and have an officer or two assigned to follow up on what they call in (if anything). It would increase the patrol presence, without increasing costs. We did some version of that at the Highlands Street Fair, which usually gets around 35,000 people, and it worked really well.
As far as Target and King Soopers go, I sympathize - but I look at it this way (an analogy): I've got some great neighbors, and they're pretty quiet. But they have a concert they go to every year. They look forward to it all year long. And, on concert weekend, they throw a bender at their house that literally shakes the ground. I just plan on not sleeping much that night, and, in the wee hours, usually just give up and go join the party. It is, after all, just one night out of the year. And I usually end up having a really good time.
Maybe Target and King Soopers could do likewise? The City could grant them a special event permit to rent out their lots for parking and vendors, and they could use some of the revenues for hiring additional security. It would change general operations for a night, but they'd probably make a truckload - and it would expand a great event.
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Guest
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That might work, except that KS and Target would be responsible for deciding who was parking and who was shopping. How would that work?
I think that they both should have the ability to prevent people from parking and partying in their lots. And for gosh sakes, especially not barbequing!
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Guest
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Listen to the ProsIt sounds like you guys didn’t hear what Chief Keough and Chief LaFarge said. It isn’t so much about parking in someone’s parking lot or having watchdogs with radios. It was impossible for emergency services to physically move from one place to another. An ambulance running lights and sirens couldn’t get on to Sheridan. The fire department couldn’t get through the crowds to get to the park. An IGA for Denver’s help will take almost a year to put in place and would cost lots and lots of money. We would have to pay the wages of all the Denver cops. Arranging for parking and shuttles off site would cost lots and lots of money.
Yes it is only one night a year. It is one of the things we do best. But if the professionals responsible for our health and safety say “We can’t do this.” I believe them. I’m not willing to have someone die in the park of a stroke or heart attack because our emergency staff couldn’t get through the crowds in time.
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Staying home
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Yep, that's the Edgewater way. We can't because....................(put in your own excuse here). Let's just not do anything anymore. No Edgewater Days, no July 3rd, no movies in the park, no Easter egg hunt and for sure no Christmas celebration and no Santa because it just may offend someone or not be fully accessable to all or maybe someone will get hurt.
We can change our slogan to "Edgewater, the safest place on Earth".
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Caryn
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Sounds like another reason we need a path through the park. Then you rope off the path and have it so no one blocks it* sits on it, leaving emergency personal better accessing to the park. Isn't that what we all want in the end a safe park that can be user friendly?
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