WOW, This is a holiday weekend in Lake Lure
We counted "30" Police Officers in less than 2 miles from the old Chimney Rock Fire Department to the ABC Store on Memorial Highway. One Lake Lure Police Officer, Sgt. Tullis was riding a GATOR on the road (John Deere Gator). We have never in the 15 years of both visiting and living in Lake Lure seen this before. We even saw a PRISON Bus, cages and all. Police were walking in the roadway. This was an unbelievable site folks, I apoligize for the load time on this page. (you may have to hit reload to get all the pics up)
First we noticed the NC Highway Patrol in the area, which we were glad to see. We decided to go home and get the kids to go see the fireworks show tonight in Lake Lure. Below is what we saw when we entered the Town of Lake Lure later that evening,,,
This was apparently the booking station for all the arrestee's that were anticipated
This prison bus complete with guards was parked in front of the town hall
It looked like SWAT teams were everywhere in town at every corner and under every tree
The police were in groups, dressed in para-military uniforms
Military type vehicles were also in the area, this is used as a police vehicle
This is the tag on the above military type vehicle
Here is another squad
Everywhere we looked in downtown Lake Lure ther were police officers. These fellas were securing the ABC parking lot
This was the typical uniform of the day, WELCOME TOURIST'S,
Enjoy Lake Lure North Carolina's Celebration of FREEDOM
We are READY for y'all
Heres another one!!!
This area was cordoned off as was the whole town hall, and the parking lot. Notice the prison guards at the rear of the bus, again we assume this was to be a holding area.
This was the scene all around the town hall, police were everywhere
Our new motorcycle cop sure got a workout
This was at the rear of the town hall, in past years this area has always been used as parking area for folks attending the fireworks show...NOT THIS YEAR. Our new police chief had a better idea.
police, military, and emergency vehicles were everywhere
The field where folks sit to watch the firworks was empty, in past years it was hard to find a good place to sit. Only a dozen small groups were seated on the grassy field.
The concession tents were near empty
NO LARGE CROWD TONIGHT
Is somebody BORED?
As the fireworks ended and the cars were leaving Lake Lure, most of the police vehicles were at the station. No police were directing traffic.
This was the worst 4th of July crowd since I have lived in Lake Lure. Many folks, both residents, and tourists, were very concerned about the major police presence here. One fella asked if the town was expecting some sort of terrorist act. Note: these out of town police officers were courteous and as far as we saw there were NO PROBLEMS. Most folks are wondering why so many police were hired for a 12 minute fireworks show. My suggestion for next year is "spend more money on the show and less for CROWD CONTROL"