I took one last look at downtown “Demver” today…well, actually two last looks-one in the late morning accompanied by Janet Marlow, TBG’s VP in charge of everything and a second late afternoon trip with wife and business partner Kristal Kraft. The first trip was billed as a property search tour, with DNC rubbernecking thrown in. The second trip was rubbernecking on steroids, with Kristal’s ever present camera clicking away the whole time. Surprised we did not get detained by any one of a couple hundred cops on the beat for overzealous shutter clicking. Both trips featured an overwhelming police presence. COPS on every corner, dozens of COPS on bikes, cops on Harleys, SWAT team cops hanging on the foot racks of a Ford Expedition, COPS in black Chevy Tahoe Hybrids with way cool DNC license plates, COPS in cleverly disguised unmarked cars, COPS on horses, a whole squad of COPS dressed in riot gear with blue plastic handcuffs dangling-COPS from Aurora, Commerce City, Brighton, Boulder-I am sure everyone is in the act. As an ex-COP, I was impressed-a bunch.

Security is silly tight. Fences and concrete barricades, bomb smelling dogs, massive dump trucks barricading gates to the Pepsi Center, RTD buses stashed close by with COPS and Sheriff’s Deputies as escorts( to carry violent demonstrators off to the warehouse pokey). Plainly visible to anyone looking are Secret Service and F.B.I. Agents, and lest we forget, Colorado Highway Patrol Troopers and military and police helicopters circling above.

As we drove home, we passed by a hotel located close to our Lone Tree home (the southern boonies 20 miles from the convention). Spotted local Sheriff Deputies just hanging around watching the limos and folks with “creds” hanging around their neck. Get it yet? Metro Denver is SECURE!!

While I certainly understand the supposed need for this massive outbreak of protection, I question why the need for the whole event, considering it is really just a christening party. And if you think my concern is directed only at the Dems, I have the same thoughts regarding the Republican party in Minneapolis. OK, there is an upside. Denver (and Minny) get fantastic world wide media attention. Assuming that the “Wackos” don’t crawl out of the dark places and spoil the party, Denver will certainly profit from this exposure. The weather is supposed to be good to great, the world will note that there is no snow on the ground, building cranes announce prosperity everywhere, light rail hums along, and there are no visible “street people”. “Demver” has worked very hard to put it’s best foot forward, and doubly hard to make sure no one steps on that foot. I hope the party is great, everyone goes away happy, no one gets hurt, the “street people enjoy the movies, (where did you think they went?), and the clean-up is quick.

My best wishes to the thousands of police and security people. Here’s hoping your worst problem is helping a lost Democrat find their hotel.

Written by Larry D. McGee, Denver Realtor - Visit Website Sphere: Related Content