It seems as the local law enforcement in Thornville are not to concerned with The Gathering of the Juggalos being in town. According to Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp his department did not doing anything “over and above” to prepare for The Gathering.
Sheriff Thorp does not foresee any major problems happening. Most of the police presence in the Jacksontown area throughout the weekend is to reassure residents who might be wary of the Juggalos.
THORNVILLE — Local law enforcement agencies say they are not anticipating any unusual problems during the 15th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, despite the fact the group has been labeled a gang by the FBI.
The event is taking place this weekend at Legend Valley Concert Venue and Campground.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said his department is not doing anything “over and above” the preparations officers make for other large concerts at the outdoor music center.
“We are not really anticipating any (problems), but we’ve adequately staffed the security to handle any reasonable situation that would arise,” he said.
Juggalos are fans of the Insane Clown Posse and have been conducting annual gatherings for 15 years, according to the gathering’s website. Juggalos typically wear makeup on their faces in the same manner the band does.
The three-day music event will feature dozens of acts on multiple stages. According to the website for the gathering, an additional 20 acres of campgrounds were opened up at Legend Valley because of “overwhelming demand.”
The gathering is expected to draw thousands of people to Legend Valley. Juggalos are considered to be a “loosely organized hybrid gang” by the FBI, according to a 2011 report published by the agency.
Within the last month, a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the Juggalos by the American Civil Liberties Union was dismissed because the report did not recommend specific action be taken against Juggalos and was not a violation of the group’s free speech.
A documentary film crew is expected to be at this year’s gathering to record elements of it for a film looking at the effect of the FBI’s classification of the group as a gang.
Thorp said a 2006 gathering, which was held at Frontier Ranch near York Road, came and went without any major incidents.
Deputies began performing extra patrols Tuesday evening in the area of Legend Valley and will have a 24-hour presence at the site until the gathering wraps up Sunday. The sheriff’s office mobile command center will be at Legend Valley for the duration of the concert.
Thorp said deputies will have a more visible presence in the Jacksontown area throughout the weekend to reassure residents who might be wary of the Juggalos.
“We are trying to have more of a presence to let the people know that we’re close by should a situation arise,” he said.
Sgt. Jeffrey Dallas, of the Ohio Highway Patrol, said troopers will be watching traffic on Interstate 70 near the Ohio 13 exit for any potential gridlock.
“Our main concern is to make sure traffic doesn’t back up onto the interstate,” he said. “We’re just monitoring it and will react as needed.”
Dallas said troopers are not anticipating some of the traffic issues that have come with other large concerts, which have required a changed traffic pattern in advance of the concert.
The Gathering of the Juggalos begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
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