Mounted Security Patrol Brings Phish In August 5, 2004 - The Associated Press By Staff Alpha & Omega Mounted Security Patrol, specialists in concert security, will join Phish for their farewell concert, COVENTRY, on August 14 and 15 in Coventry, Vermont at the Newport State Airport. Following their tradition of staging concerts at inactive air fields, Phish will convert the airport into a small city where their loyal fans can see their final performance. Specially trained A&O mounted security officers will collectively travel 50,000 miles to conclude an 8-year collaboration between the band and the mounted patrol. "We will be bringing an elite group of veteran riders from around the country who are specially trained in concert security for the final Phish concert," said Frank Keller, founder and CEO of Alpha & Omega. "We are sad to see the end of an incredible string of live performances by Phish. The band members and road crew have become good friends as well as clients and we are honored to have been a part of the Phish concert phenomenon that we believe has set the standard for safe and successful music festivals in America. Phish began using the services of the mounted patrol at The Clifford Ball concert in Plattsburgh, New York in 1996. Since that beginning, the A&O mounted patrol has worked concert security at five Phish music festivals: The Great Went, Lemonwheel, Oswego Airport Campout, New Year's Eve at Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation and IT. With the farewell concert, COVENTRY, A&O riders will have traveled almost half a million miles to protect Phish concertgoers. Mounted patrol security is especially suited to the job of concert security. Riders can lead horses into areas where law enforcement vehicles cannot go. They are able to escort tour buses, limos or emergency vehicles into crowded spaces. And, officers can establish rapport with fans because of the affection fans have for horses. Over the years, Troopers have handled many security situations including medical emergencies, parking congestion, crowd movement, families trying to contact fans and law enforcement assistance. But, more importantly, they have acted as a deterrent to criminal behavior. Because riders are highly visible above their horses, many who might be considering an inappropriate act decide otherwise. Also, riders can be easily seen by fans who need help. In many instances, fans have alerted riders to potential trouble and helped avert problems. Article Copyright © 2004 The Associated Press