We were required to have city police escorts on motorcycle (four officers on four motorcycles) going to various locations in our neighborhood as a condition of obtaining a permit to do so. We also had to pay the costs of the police participation. It was a lot!
How could this type of event take place in Arizona without a permit of some sort? The purpose of that permit is so the local government can review any public safety needs and plan accordingly.
Kids selling lemonade invoke a stronger police reaction than this poor congresswoaman and her staff needed.
It's a very good question, and one that the media should be asking, instead of navel gazing about Sarah Palin's possible influence on the perp.
A real news media would be asking leftnut Sheriff Dupnik about the permits and security arrangements for this event, but alas, they're only interested in demonizing the right.