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When I went in 2004 it was like nirvana, hardly a cop in sight all weekend. I don't even think we watched our backs at all. In 09 it wasn't much worse. Maybe we kept an eye out some of the time but we weren't paranoid all weekend for sure. I haven't been recently. Has it gotten worse? Is it the same? Can I even ask this question here?
I used to go to a venue in Houston, the big out door ampitheater (cynthia woods mitchell pavilion in the woodlands for anyone who has been there) and we would always break out the corn. I didn't hit that venue for years then I went to see Willie Nelson and bob dylan in 2008 and they were arresting corn people everywhere, we didn't even break ours out. I had never seen that there before so I just want to know what to expect.
Could some of you talk about your experiences in the last three years at bonnaroo with the amount of police/hassling etc? Thanks in advance.
If there is a thread like this somewhere else sorry. If this is wildly inappropriate, then close it and delete this thread if necessary, mods, I don't want to start no trouble!
Last Edit: Apr 29, 2013 10:24:18 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
In 2011 my crew had a run in with a police officer on an ATV coming through camp. We had our corn right out in the open, but they just took the amount we were about to eat and didn't search for more or give us much trouble. I think they are really mostly there to keep everyone safe, not ruin everyone's time.
In 2010 the campgrounds were patrolled by the horse-mounted semi-police. While I would not rate them as particularly friendly, I never saw them hassle anyone, although the bootleg t-shirt dudes and dudettes were keeping an eye out for them.
Post by Roo'adelphia on Apr 29, 2013 12:18:26 GMT -5
Yea the horseback people are more security/crowd control then police. They also clear crowds when people are in need of medical attention as well as direct cars as they come through the Tolls. The only cops really on scene are the ones searching cars at the tollbooths. Some cruise around the campgrounds on ATVs. Mostly looking for people with tanks thats the #1 NO NO at Roo in their eyes.
Post by monkybunney on Apr 29, 2013 12:30:07 GMT -5
I think the police problem is much like the theft problem. Some folks will get hassled and some folks won't even notice. I've heard stories of people who said the man rolled into their camp and hassled everyone and others who's negative experience was limited to what Chellaroo described, a loss of a couple of ears so to speak. TO has 0 police presence BTW! I've not had any issues. Just play it cool and you should be fine.
If your corn is for yourself that's fine but if you're merchandising your corn you could have a problem. Most of their time is spent as others mentioned above and "escorting" people out who have fake wristbands.
Post by musicmanjp270 on Apr 29, 2013 12:36:33 GMT -5
from my experience if your not selling anything then you have nothing to worry about. We had a mid 30s blonde with a white shirt, black shorts and boots wearing sunglasses walk up to our campsite and ask did we have anything for sale. We just laughed and told her to no. While all of this is going on my buddy was munching on some fresh corn on the cob right beside her. Was she a cop?
ALSO! be careful of people pretending to be police! During pedrito martinez show this year, we were sitting down outside the tent enjoying some of the corn on the cob and these 2 guys walked up to us with black shirts that had a badge like screen printed on the chest. And they told us we can't be doing that. My Buddy asked if they were real and could he see their badges. The two guys just walked away and didn't say anything
I'm glad musicmanjp270 said something about the fake police. I forgot about that until he mentioned it! I heard a few stories from people I met about them.
I agree with what everyone has been saying about the cops.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Apr 29, 2013 15:06:08 GMT -5
It has gotten worse as the years go by but it is still not that bad. Just do your corn stuff at camp and not out in the wide open and you should have no probs.
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Post by culloweird on Apr 29, 2013 15:14:13 GMT -5
My previous years, I haven't seen many people getting bugged by police of any sort... The one exception, in 2010, on the Sunday- my camp neighbors had sat out on the table, a large glass "pan" used for "cooking" the corn. Police on ATV's were able to see it from the road (about 100 ft away), and swooped in for an easy grab. They just confiscated the corn and used pan. however, they also searched one guy's car (cool dude from Maine) and found he was bringing in corn by the can for others... took ALL his canned corn and wrote him (and only him) a HUGE ticket. Not a good way to end the weekend (just glad they didn't bug me). Just don't be dumb with it... and only bring enough corn for yourself- don't get any ideas...
Post by redeyesteve27 on Apr 29, 2013 15:39:19 GMT -5
This will be my very first roo. Sounds like you can eat corn at your tent whenever you please. How incognito do you have to be inside centeroo though? Am I going to be able to eat my cobb without much paranoia?
Last year, my crew got selected for a random search upon entry. My brother and I were fine but a cop stuck his hand up my friend's butt. Totally true story....
Last Edit: Apr 29, 2013 16:02:41 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
This will be my very first roo. Sounds like you can eat corn at your tent whenever you please. How incognito do you have to be inside centeroo though? Am I going to be able to eat my cobb without much paranoia?
I'm glad you asked! It's my first roo, and I was extremely curious about the cop situation. I was just iffy about asking this question on the boards. I have a friend that goes every year and basically all he told me is the campground is like home base, they leave you alone for the most part. He hasn't really ever had any run ins with them. He failed to mention the fake police, but I guess it's a given that when you throw that many people together, there will be a few dbags.
Either way, I'm super excited to eat my corn and enjoy some music and nature :b It doesn't sound like it will be a problem as long as you're not flashing it around or selling, like a few others said here. (Don't let this discourage you regular corn suppliers)
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Post by timbuckroo on Apr 29, 2013 16:34:51 GMT -5
Centeroo will not be a problem at all. Only time I have ever seen and security or cops are when the annual "naked tripping guy" decides to do cart wheels on his way from stage to stage or if there is a medical emergency. Walking the GA camp grounds on roads is where you probably want to not partake.
When I went in 2004 it was like nirvana, hardly a cop in sight all weekend. I don't even think we watched our backs at all. In 09 it wasn't much worse. Maybe we kept an eye out some of the time but we weren't paranoid all weekend for sure. I haven't been recently. Has it gotten worse? Is it the same? Can I even ask this question here?
I used to go to a venue in Houston, the big out door ampitheater (cynthia woods mitchell pavilion in the woodlands for anyone who has been there) and we would always break out the corn. I didn't hit that venue for years then I went to see Willie Nelson and bob dylan in 2008 and they were arresting corn people everywhere, we didn't even break ours out. I had never seen that there before so I just want to know what to expect.
Could some of you talk about your experiences in the last three years at bonnaroo with the amount of police/hassling etc? Thanks in advance.
If there is a thread like this somewhere else sorry. If this is wildly inappropriate, then close it and delete this thread if necessary, mods, I don't want to start no trouble!
Last year was my first year and all I saw were the horse cops going around the campsites...thats cops on horses, not horses that are cops...even though that would be pretty cool.
When I went in 2004 it was like nirvana, hardly a cop in sight all weekend. I don't even think we watched our backs at all. In 09 it wasn't much worse. Maybe we kept an eye out some of the time but we weren't paranoid all weekend for sure. I haven't been recently. Has it gotten worse? Is it the same? Can I even ask this question here?
I used to go to a venue in Houston, the big out door ampitheater (cynthia woods mitchell pavilion in the woodlands for anyone who has been there) and we would always break out the corn. I didn't hit that venue for years then I went to see Willie Nelson and bob dylan in 2008 and they were arresting corn people everywhere, we didn't even break ours out. I had never seen that there before so I just want to know what to expect.
Could some of you talk about your experiences in the last three years at bonnaroo with the amount of police/hassling etc? Thanks in advance.
If there is a thread like this somewhere else sorry. If this is wildly inappropriate, then close it and delete this thread if necessary, mods, I don't want to start no trouble!
Last year was my first year and all I saw were the horse cops going around the campsites...thats cops on horses, not horses that are cops...even though that would be pretty cool.
Technically, those horses are cops... in the same sense that a police K-9 is an officer. If they have a badge, they are an officer in the eyes of the law. So, don't feed Butternuts all that munchy food... He could just be diabetic...
Back at my first roo a friend of mine had a hello kitty helium balloon to mark her campsite. A cop walked up and said she had to pop it in case there was nitrous (or something like that?) in it. Totally surreal to see the police more interested in hello kitty than all the corn cooking going on around us.
My favorite quote from almost all the Centeroo staff when talking to random drunk/naked/laser pointer folks: "Look man, I'm not a fucking cop, but..."
Post by Mista Don't Play on Apr 29, 2013 17:59:17 GMT -5
Your only worry is if you are the random car selected to be heavily inspected by the real cops when you are entering the festivals grounds. They will touch your sensitive areas and riffle through your car pretty thoroughly.
Back at my first roo a friend of mine had a hello kitty helium balloon to mark her campsite. A cop walked up and said she had to pop it in case there was nitrous (or something like that?) in it.
WTF. Nitrous is denser than air; it doesn't float. Next time a cop pulls that, say: "Officer, the only thing in that balloon is bad breath."
