Punk Control

While San Diego County Fair officials tried to prevent off-duty cops from showing up with concealed guns, promoter Willie Carter hired at least one pistol-packing guard for an all-age show at the El Cajon Masonic Lodge. The July 1 Lower Class Brats/Clit 45 show drew 400 people.

"A lot of places don't want to rent out to punk shows," says Carter. "We really didn't have a choice."

Tim Ovies, owner of KMC Security, says his is the only company that is allowed to provide security at the El Cajon Masonic Lodge. He says he was the only guard of his eight-man crew who carried a gun. He says the visibility of badges, mace canisters, nightsticks, handcuffs, and his gun served as deterrents.

"This was the first punk event I ever attended," says Ovies, who notes that he has handled security for Snoop Dogg's mother and brother and Cuba Gooding Jr. He says the Masonic Lodge event never got out of hand, but two moshing fans were ejected early in the show "for too-aggressive behavior. I wanted to set a tone before the national acts came on."

Carter has set up an all-age show July 24 at the Masonic Lodge in El Cajon with the Partisans, the Skulls, Willie Psycho, American Made, and Subversive Uprising. Tickets are $12 in advance (from Black Wax) or $14 night of show.