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Rowdy reaction Denver police cope with post-Super Bowl celebrants
Posted: Monday February 01, 1999 12:58 AM
DENVER (AP) -- Police used tear gas Sunday night to break up crowds in downtown Denver after Broncos' fans spilled into the streets to celebrate a second straight Super Bowl victory. It was the second year in a row the city's championship celebration was marred by clashes between police and rowdy fans. "It's disappointing to see some of that, that we can't celebrate without taking it to the extreme," said Mayor Wellington Webb. Downtown bars emptied as the game ended and fans started bonfires and set off firecrackers. When the estimated crowd of 1,000 would not disperse in Larimer Square, police threw tear gas canisters and marched down Larimer Street in riot gear, pounding their shields with their clubs. Fans scurried away in the smoke, collapsing on the street. "They didn't give us any time," said John Giomin of Denver. "This really hurts. This really hurts. I've never been gassed before." In Greeley, police also used tear gas to break up crowds celebrating the Broncos' win. Near the University of Northern Colorado, police used the gas as they were pelted with rocks and bottles. In Boulder, several hundred fans danced and cheered around a small bonfire. Police in the old town area of Fort Collins turned to tear gas to break up a celebrating crowd. Some of the fans there threw rocks and bottles at officers, while others climbed light poles. Gov. Bill Owens, in Miami for the game but on his way back for the celebratory parade Monday, also was dismayed by the mayhem. "Colorado has so much to be proud of tonight... it would be a shame to mar it with any more violence," Owens said. In several spots, officers on horseback kept crowds in check. Around the downtown area, people waved special newspaper editions, climbed poles and waved Bronco pennants. The problems were not unexpected. As the game ended, police blocked off access into the downtown area from Interstate 25, which runs through the city, to keep the crowds down. Downtown bars were havens of orange and blue as the Broncos took on the Atlanta Falcons. After Denver's 34-19 win, many brought their drinks and celebrations outdoors. But police were prepared because, last year, about 30,000 people gathered downtown after the Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl. There were more than 25 arrests and 50 people were overcome by tear gas after people smashed shop windows, overturned cars and set fires in Larimer Square. Officials have said they believe a relatively small number of people were responsible for problems that dog the city after championship games. "Most law-abiding people found the people that were doing that pretty disgusting," said city spokesman Andrew Hudson. "It's idiotic. It's that kind of behavior that is going to get people hurt and get people arrested." Police issued warnings to the crowd before they threw the tear gas Sunday night. But there was tension between the police and fans. Jeff Sherwood, 29, said he and his friends were caught off guard by the police response. "We came down right after the game," he said. "I walked up next to a policeman. He said, `Do you think you are safe?' Then they tear-gassed us."
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