6Up! How to Spot a Cop in a Crowd
First, I’d like to make it completely clear from the start that I am not advocating illegal activity!
What I am advocating is generally less interaction with cops at music festivals, and I think this is something we can all agree would be a positive thing. Whatever is going on, unless it’s some kind of medical emergency, it’s usually best handled among friends when everyone bought a ticket to have a good time during a memorable weekend of amazing music and laughter.
But everyone has a job, and some people are generally less cool than others, so these police officers will infiltrate the scene. It can be tricky to spot a cop in a crowd.
And before the “Blue Lives Matter” people stand proudly with their hands on their hips, everyone relax. I abide by laws (see sentence numero uno) but sometimes innocent people can get swept up in some big shakedowns on Shakedown Street. This is for those people. If you go to a music festival this summer, this may help you.
LOOK FOR: Odd Clothing
Undercover cops at music festivals try to fit in, of course. But this is such an interesting phenomenon, since festy fashions make it almost impossible to tell the freaks from the freaks. “Fitting in” is, like, the opposite of letting your freak flag fly.
However, there’s always something … off … about their costume. Take note.
A man approached me in the crowd at a festival, and I knew immediately he was a police officer. He was white, taller than 6 feet, with glasses and short, cropped hair. He was wearing a red T-shirt, jean shorts and an interesting sleeveless jean jacket.
I checked out the vest with a sideways glance. It was covered neatly with evenly spaced patches, but none had a logo I recognized. No Grateful Dead Steal Your Face, mushrooms, sacred geometry, progressive sayings or anything recognizable. One patch was a mysterious red “A” with wings. No judgment, whatever.
Then I looked down: He had on clean, white Reebok sneakers.
Definitely a cop — and he was.
LOOK FOR: A Strange Angry/Uncomfortable Vibe
We’re all here to have a good time, but for some reason there’s some random person standing near you. You notice them not because they really say or do anything, but because of their vibe. This is more energetic than esoteric.
Some people are having bad days or have issues they haven’t dealt with, natch. But then there are people that actually seem to be sending out anger signals. This is your intuition telling you to stay away from this person. Listen to it!
Now, the man in the crowd with the interesting vest approached me because I happened to be wearing a crazy outfit including a sparkling belly-dancing belt a friend at LightUpWorld.com’s booth gave me AND a dress with an Alex Gray print that my friend Magoo gifted me the same night from Magoo’s Cool Hippie Stuff. And I was dancing alone. So, I was a target.
I noticed the man did not talk to anyone else but stood next to me, while I was dancing. Then, suddenly, he pulled out an empty marijuana pipe and gestured in my direction with it, smiling in a strange manner. I wasn’t sure what he wanted. Did he want me to fill it with all my drugs that I overflowing in my non-existent pockets? What a peculiar thing to do. I shook my head no.
After that, he returned the clean paraphernalia into his pocket and walked slowly away. First, he moved up a few rows in front of me and pulled out a phone. He sent a text. Then, I watched him leave that row and walk out of the crowd — and straight into a trailer that was hidden behind the food vendors.
6Up!
LOOK FOR: A Vague Uniform
Obviously, festivals have police officers that are dressed in uniform, packing a gun and handcuffs. Those guys are easy to spot, most of the time. But they’re also expensive to have in large numbers, so you also need to watch out for other folks who are on the payroll in one way or another. They’re basically also functioning as spies.
You should not be paranoid, but you should be completely aware of your surroundings at all times. “Security” guards are definitely not cops, but they do have the ability to kick you out of a section or, as they say, harsh your mellow while you’re trying to enjoy live music with your friends.
There are many different kinds of uniforms, but often it comes down to slacks and a collared shirt. Sometimes in the heat of summer the second-tier guards wear t-shirts and shorts. The word “STAFF” may be on the front or the back of the shirt, but you may not be able to read it.
LOOK FOR: A Hippie Running
I happen to enjoy jogging, but I certainly don’t jog when I’m at a music festival. Running really isn’t a thing when you’re camping and partying all weekend at a festival. Perhaps a stroll around the campground, little frisbee … kan jam even … but no one is lacing up their running shoes and running.
Unless, of course, they are being chased.
This is another way you can spot a cop at a music festival: They are chasing someone.
Do not get in the middle of a legal chase! It is also unwise to try to “reason” with an officer on behalf of another party, unless it is your very good friend and you are willing to accompany them to jail for whatever the matter.
However, there are things you can do. You can record the action on your cell phone. That is completely legal, as you are in a public place. The police officer can try to tell you to you stop, but they may not confiscate anything without a warrant. More likely, they will tell you to stand back, which you should as they can arrest you for “interfering.”
You can also cheer on the hippie, because honestly, it’s kind of funny. These guys who you will see ditching backpacks and making chase at a music festival are young and wily. The police officer is often less fit and getting worn down from just tryin’ to do his job all weekend. I guess the underdog here is a matter of debate, but it’s still such a common sight that it’s almost cliché.
LISTEN FOR: “6 Up!”
When you do see a police officer in a crowd, you have a few options. The first is to ignore the person and go about your peaceful, fun-loving and legal behaviors. The second is to ignore the person and go about your peaceful, fun-loving and illegal behaviors. The third is to engage, which I highly suggest you avoid. And the fourth is to alert everyone around you. If you are able to do so in a way in which the cop will not see you, it is incumbent upon you to yell “6 Up!”
Origins of this saying is unknown, although it may relate to the position of the “6” on a clock face: aka “Turn around.” If you decide to alert the masses, you may also consider buying the t-shirt that reads, “6-Up, the Uncoola.”
Looking and listening for the signs of a police officer — and avoiding him or her — will save BOTH of you a big headache during your next music festival.
