We had us a Big One in Mexalem!

The Hispanic Concert held tonight at the Pavilion at Oregon State Fairgrounds, ended four hours early at 10:00 PM, after numerous fights broke out both inside and out of the large auditorium facility.

It was all the Oregon State, Salem, Keizer Police and Salem's Fire/Medics could do to keep a lid on the large gathering as they emptied the Pavilion and dispersed the crowds out of the parking lots.

My hat is again off to Salem's Police Department who seldom if ever are given any credit for their excellent work. At the time of the violence I was many miles away from the scene and valued every inch of that separation.

A bus belonging to the County Jail was brought in to transport the many who were arrested at the scene while those who were injured were transported to Salem's Memorial Hospital.

The time now is 10:45 PM and the City is no doubt full of very upset and angry people who were forced out of the Concert and I suspect they may demonstrate their dissatisfaction later in the evening as the drugs and alcohol begin to work.

I can only think back to the late 90's when Salem was know as a Tranquil City USA where life was safe and danger in public not a concern.