Hampton says it's ready for Phish August 9, 2004 - Hampton Roads Daily Press By David Chernicky Despite the short notice, Hampton police and Hampton Coliseum officials are prepared for the thousands of fans of the rock band Phish who will be at the Coliseum tonight. A day after the Coliseum announced the date, police officials added the Phish concert to the list of events available for extra duty. The department is not canceling vacations, but in the days after the concert was announced, supervisors warned officers who requested leave that they might have to work. With just under two weeks to prepare, Coliseum Director Joe Tsao was forced to trim the edges off some personal vacation time. "To prepare for Phish is a major undertaking that goes far beyond the wall of the Coliseum," he said. "I would even dare to say it goes into other jurisdictions." Coliseum officials have been working with the Virginia Department of Transportation and local law enforcement to make sure the area is prepared for the influx of Phish fans, many of whom are traveling to the area from across the country. Coliseum officials have also worked with local businesses and restaurants, encouraging them to extend operating hours and order extra food. "If this were our first time, it would be impossible," Tsao said of the short notice. "We have a proven system, though, that we've been using for many shows now. It's not a struggle for me to take a Phish date, not at all." While police and city officials want concertgoers to enjoy themselves, authorities emphasize that they intend to enforce the law. "We'll be working closely with the other agencies to curtail any illegal activity and arrest those who break the law," said Cpl. James West, Hampton police spokesman. The last time the Vermont-based band rocked the Coliseum was January 2003. Phish played three consecutive sold-out shows. The party ended with more than 400 arrests, mostly for drug or alcohol offenses, police said. State Alcoholic Beverage Control agents arrested 81 concertgoers, 19 for the illegal sale of alcohol, said Robert Brooks, enforcement chief for the ABC's Hampton district. The general district court created a special docket to hear the Phish-related cases. "There was such a large number, 400-something cases, that it wasn't practical to integrate the Phish-related cases with the regular cases," said Commonwealth's Attorney Linda Curtis. She said the court has set aside Tuesday to handle cases against Phish fans arrested Monday. "This way, the people don't have to come back to town for court," said Hampton Chief Magistrate Pat Massenburg. "If they want to plead guilty and pay the fine, they can do so." Article Copyright © 2004 Hampton Roads Daily Press