Seastrand Park151

Don't ever visit this park for the 4th of July fireworks celebration. My wife and I took our three kids (10, 7, 2) there for the July 3, 2010 fireworks. We were in probably what would be considered the "west half" of the park, where the band was, but still very far back from the band. In between what I estimate would be 8:45 and 9:30 (fireworks were to start at 9:45 or 10:00) there were what I would consider two "crowd panics" in which literally a few hundred people a little further east of our location immediately rushed in our direction. I'm talking MAJOR PANIC, and I've seen a lot. I had to stand up and literally protect my family from being trampled. The first time I think it was a gangbanger who must have flashed a weapon (I honestly don't know what else would cause this many people to run; the look on everyone's face was like they were running for their lives). I base this on the fact I saw 4 NLV cops at the tail end of the panic jogging, looking for someone, and immediately ordering some black gangbanger lookalike on the ground about 30 feet from me (without drawing their own weapons; commendable, probably because of the large crowds, many with kids). NLV cops did an excellent job in getting this dope immediately on the ground, and within a few minutes, quietly getting this idiot immediately away quietly and without causing further scenes. 2nd panic was about 30 minutes later. Don't know what that one was caused by. But it's simply inexcusable. We left and went to the far east end of the park. NLV did have a heavy police presence at the park, which was good. Frankly, they should have knocked a few more heads or had more undercover there, although I think they did do a good job there in any regard. However, don't think the east 1/2 end of the park is safe for kids whatsoever.