Here’s my thoughts on the Florida Georgia Line/police controversy … I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and backstage at most of them. I always see a police presence out front, in the crowd, and throughout the venue. I don’t think I have EVER seen police on duty backstage. There’s no need for them to be there. The cops are at the concert to protect the people attending, not as security for the band.
At two different concerts last weekend (July 22-23), the Sheriff’s department was told “no uniformed officers backstage” by a representative for the band. Not “no cops”, just no uniformed officers. I don’t see a problem with a band not wanting on-duty cops backstage. Theoretically, a band that sings “All I wanna do today is wear my favorite shades and get stoned” might be doing something backstage that the police would have to stop if they were on duty.
I think the entire incident is being blown out of proportion by people looking to make a mountain out of a molehill. With all of the “cop hating” going on in the news, the media seems to be working overtime to find more bad stories.
Bryan and Tyler from FGL said in a tweet yesterday they have nothing but love and respect for the police, and I believe them. I’ve never met them, never been to a FGL concert, never talked to them, but it seems reasonable that this story isn’t really a big story.
Here’s a link to the story: http://tasteofcountry.com/florida-georgia-line-respond-to-anti-police-allegations/
Jon