Forum controlled, peaceful event

Things went seamlessly in terms of law enforcement during the Democratic Forum here Wednesday.

"I was very pleased. In fact, even our calls for service not associated with the forum were down," said Sheriff Ken Furlong.

He said the outcome was a relief for his department because staffing was on overtime and stretched thin. Officers from Carson City, Douglas County, Lyon County and the Department of Alternative Sentencing controlled crowds, kept demonstrators at bay and secured passage into and out of the community center.

"We're trying to stay out of sight and be as unobtrusive as we can," said Sheriff's Lt. Ray Saylo.

The only times law enforcement officers were even concerned came when one man entered a press-only area and held up a baseball and pen while shouting to Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut, "Sign this ball!"

The man was quickly and quietly escorted away by Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Jarrod Adams.

"He wasn't upset or anything," said Adams about the man. "He just wanted (Dodd) to sign his baseball."

And a Reno man and Markleeville woman were asked to leave the forum after organizers became concerned that they'd stand up and display an anti-war banner they were carrying with them.

Carson City Sheriff's Lt. Bob White said when he approached the couple and began to escort them outside, the woman yelled, "De-fund the war!"

"Then the organizers took their T-shirts back and told them to leave," White said, referring to shirts that were handed out to those in attendance.

Some might argue the biggest crime committed Wednesday was when forum greeter Johnathan Salsbury met Dodd as he arrived at the event.

Salsbury, whose job it was to meet and then escort the guests into the building, reached out, took Dodd's hand, and said, "Welcome to Nev-ah-da."

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.