Extra security meets throngs of Phish-heads November 17, 1997 - Rocky Mountain News Manny Gonzales Denver police beefed up security for thousands of Phish-heads who converged on McNichols Arena Sunday, hoping to avoid a repeat of last year's near-riots in Morrison. Before Sunday's concert was under way, police had made 15 arrests for minor violations and confiscated at least four 5-foot tanks of laughing gas, said Sgt. Dennis Cribari. The arrests were typical of a concert that draws 14,000 people, Cribari said. But laughing gas is more common at Phish concerts, he said. Twenty-two Denver officers worked Sunday's concert - six more than work most concerts, Cribari said. Officers patrolling the metro area were told to be alert for any problems at the arena. Phish heads thought it was a bit of overkill. ''This is a bottled-water and beer crowd,'' said Nasruden, a Denverite who has a ticket to tonight's concert but visited with others in an arena lot Sunday. Sunday's concert was orderly, Cribari said, a contrast to last August when hundreds of Phish fans clashed with police after a concert at Red Rocks. Article © 1997 Denver Publishing Company