Police chief out to end ‘weekend fight nights’

by Eric Mullens
WALSENBURG — During his report to the city council Tuesday night, Walsenburg Police Chief James Chamberlain told the council about a disturbing month-long trend of all-out brawls each weekend at local drinking establishments.
Chamberlain said this past weekend police were called to the Silver Dollar Bar and the responding officers, Adam Ashby and Cpl. Joe Deatherage found themselves surrounded by a large crowd as Ashby attempted to make an assault arrest.
Ashby was hospitalized with an injured hand as many in the crowd turned on the officers and assaulted them. The chief said at one point it was, ”one against 40.” Deatherage also responded to the scene and one city officer was called in from home to help with interviews and investigation following the 1 am melee.
Ashby had to deploy one of the department’s OC aerosol grenades to disperse the crowd. Chamberlain said this is the fourth weekend in a row this kind of thing has happened in the downtown area.
The chief told the city council he would request agency assists from Pueblo police and sheriff’s deputies and the Colorado State Patrol to conduct downtown saturation, hourly bar checks if the situation continues.
Chamberlain told the Huerfano World Journal he has called a meeting Friday with all bar owners who hold city liquor licenses and will be advising them serving individuals who appear to be intoxicated, and not controlling their patrons may put their licenses in jeopardy.
Felicia Bobian King, 34, of Walsenburg and Cameron Martinez, 23, of Walsenburg were both arrested in connection with the July 14 incident at the Silver Dollar Bar. Chamberlain said the incident remains under investigation and he anticipates possible additional arrests.