The rodeo had gone wrong.

Some 400 people had bolted for their vehicles, which were now crammed — some even scraping up against each other — at the only exit to the rural property off Interstate 35W in Lino Lakes Saturday night.

Everyone was trying to get out as the cops, responding to reports of a massive brawl, were trying to get in. The 911 caller had spoken of dozens of people fighting, “using spurs and whips.” Initially officers on the scene were told there was “at least one person down.”

Backup was called. Then more backup. At least 35 squad cars representing more than 40 officers from perhaps 10 agencies, including the Minnesota State Patrol, descended on the Anoka County property.

Turns out, no more than five people suffered scrapes and bruises, nothing worse than a black eye. None needed hospitalization. No signs of violence by means of rodeo accoutrements. Related Articles Motorcyclist crashes in St. Francis, dies

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One guy, perhaps drunk, got violent when the cops tried to deal with him. His was the only arrest.

Here’s how it happened that it took a small police army to respond to some drunken fisticuffs with no serious injuries.

“If this had all been done correctly, all those cops wouldn’t have been needed,” said Lino Lakes Sgt. Chad Schirmers, who arrived on the scene in the 1300 block of Main Street after 911 was called at 8:15 p.m.

The problem wasn’t with the police response, but the event itself: an “informal rodeo” held on the leased 10-acre plot. “There was an oval pen, sort of a corral,” said Schirmers. “There were animals, horse trailers. I don’t know what else you’d call it but an informal rodeo.”

Small groups of people often ride horses on the property, which is unrelated to a nearby horse business, according to neighbors and police. Larger rodeo-style events have been held occasionally, and city officials warned organizers once that permits would be needed for such affairs.

But no permit was sought for Saturday night’s festivities — and that was part of the problem, Schirmers said.

“Our shift was aware that there was an event there, but certainly not of this magnitude,” he said. “Part of the permit is a requirement to have security. The people I talked to told me there was some sort of security there, but they were done at 1900 (7 p.m.).”

A dispute had erupted in the calf-roping area.

“Apparently there’s an order for who ropes which cows, and people were cutting in line. I don’t really understand,” Schirmers said Sunday. “There was just way, way too many people in a confined space with no security.”

Problems happen all the time at large events, from medical emergencies at county fairs to drunkenness and resulting stupidity at bar-sponsored bashes. In theory, Schirmers said, cops are aware quickly, and when they arrive, they can get reliable info from professionals, like large men with shirts that say “SECURITY.”

“That’s how it’s supposed to work,” Schirmers said. “But we only had the 911 call. I believe whoever made that call was being genuine. When we got there, clearly something had happened. It had already gotten out of control because there was no security.”

Officers had no idea how many people were hurt, the severity of the injuries and who to detain.

“We have a large crowd here … why don’t you send more squads … we need more cars here to get this under control,” one of the first officers on the scene announced over his radio, stress apparent in his voice, according to an audio recording of police radio chatter posted at MNPoliceClips.com.

“You could tell something happened, and people were trying to leave in a hurry, and the property really limited their ability to do that and our ability to sort it out,” said Schirmers

Officers from the State Patrol, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Centennial Lakes and the Anoka County sheriff’s office were among those responding, creating a substantial police presence.

Schirmers said they were all needed, and it took police two hours to fully clear the area. Neither the owner of the property nor the organizers of the event could be reached for comment. The adult in custody is expected to be charged tomorrow with obstructing a peace officer with force, a gross misdemeanor, and fifth-degree assault, the simplest form of assault. His identity was not released Sunday.

Schirmers said police and city officials are probing how the event was promoted to determine whether further charges are justified.

“If you’re going to put on a major event like this, you inherit the responsibility of security. That way 35 to 40 officers aren’t needed for a fight. If this would have been done correctly … we would have gotten the call much sooner and it wouldn’t have gotten out of control. When that feature of the event does not exist, we’re late to the rodeo.”