Thunder Alley to continue in regular season format

[tracey]

I hope the Judge assigned in this case enjoyed Thunder Alley. Make an example of this kid.

[Laramie]

Thunder Alley's game & post game activities are going to be shelved as a result of this isolated incident which didn't occur or have anything to do with the events (game 5 & activities) at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

This Minnesota writer is a sad journalist. He doesn't attempt to get all the facts.

Are we abusing our freedom of speech to the point that we don't take the time to investigate truth from half truths? Journalist should be held to a higher standard. Minneasota Timberwolves have had to play second fiddle to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This is not a black eye on Oklahoma City; this incident could have happened in any city at any given time.

Are we overracting to this incident?

Let's face it, we do need to examine Thunder Alley before returning to events as usually. It's best to be safe than sorry.

[sooner4ever]

I paid good money for my tickets in the arena. My family and I shouldn't have to fight our way through a sea of drunks after the game. I'm glad it's gone.

[Nat.]

I think that it's sad that the sense of inclusive community that Thunder Alley was fostering is now going to be gone. It allowed people who cannot afford the extremely high ticket costs (if you're having to buy them from a StubHub type of source, which many are) to feel part of the Thunder community during the playoffs. Yes, maybe it caused more traffic or was messy or maaaybe you even had to walk through some drunks (uh, it's not like there aren't plenty of those inside the arena too), but I think that the good still outweighed all of that.

I'll never be able to afford to be a season ticket holder, likely never get to attend a playoff game, and I'm bummed that I never had the chance to enjoy the fun and chaos of Thunder Alley during a game. I was really looking forward to driving all the way to OKC to do that during the next series.

Mostly though? I'm just glad that all of the shooting victims will survive. So glad.

[KDisNotNice]

Let's not blame (or thank in my case) just the Thunder for this decision. You need a city permit to block off streets and hold these types of events and ultimately the city has the final decision to approve that permit. Here's a new article explaining the city permit process better:

http://newsok.com/thunder-alley-watc...stom_click=rss

[Tydude]

i believe The Mayor will get some hate emails tomorrow from thunder fans about shutting down thunder alley

[sooner4ever]

i believe The Mayor will get some hate emails tomorrow from thunder fans about shutting down thunder alley

True. But he did the right thing.

[DwightSchrute]

Nothing should have changed other than increase in security and let the cops beat the sh!t out of some people when they act out of line. Seriously all it will take is the cops to start dropping some of these punks when they act like a 'thug'.

Cops clubbing the hell out of a teenager while thousands of people look on...surely nothing could go wrong there.

[BoomBoom]

Cops clubbing the hell out of a teenager while thousands of people look on...surely nothing could go wrong there.

Yes,let the thugs win and ruin it for everyone. What's the use of going down there now if you don't have a ticket to the game? Oh,go down there and be a fan and then when the game starts just go home and miss half the game. Nice. OKC needs some true leaders because the people running things now appear to be cowards!

Everyone should send hate mail about this because that shooting had nothing to do with thunder alley. You just have a bunch of cowards making decisions for the sheep.

[Laramie]

Thunder Alley recommendation:

Put up a temporary gate (prefer one on rollers) enclosure which can be used to contain the crowd and allow people to leave only after so many have entered Thunder Alley.

Continue with the during game and post game activities.

The gate could be supervised by personnel at each entrance and rolled away to allow the crowd to leave when it become time to shut down Thunder Alley.

[KDisNotNice]

The shootings didn't happen in Thunder Alley but that is where the confrontation originated (based on NewsOK.com stories) before moving down the street after the game was over. Its not just the shooting down the street that caused the watch party to be ended, its also the lesser problems that have been developing as the crowds got larger and larger, such as, minor fights, drug dealing/usage and most importantly drunk and disorderly people. Other companies can start their own watch parties elsewhere but it just got too big in front of the arena.

[KDisNotNice]

http://newsok.com/bricktown-shooting...rticle/3678384

The person who was the most seriously injured in the shootings had been at the game earlier and then was shot in the back while walking to his car (by someone who had been causing trouble at Thunder Alley).

[Tydude]

that is why they shut down thunder alley

[KDisNotNice]

that is why they shut down thunder alley

I'm just curious if he was a season ticket holder or just came to that game. The injured fan is 22 and a recent graduate of Rose State College so perhaps he's not. As a season ticket holder who is also attending all home playoff games, I am glad a lot less people will be outside the arena now when I exit after the game.

[KDisNotNice]

From my season ticket member email I just received:

THUNDER ALLEY PREGAME FESTIVITIES
The Love's Thunder Alley pregame block party will open at 5 p.m., with inflatable games, Budweiser Beer Garden, a sport court for kids and more. Registration for the THUNDER REWARDS ZONE, presented by Buffalo Wild Wings on Northwest Expressway, runs from 4 to 6 p.m., with a drawing for the remaining 100 pairs of tickets taking place at 6:30. Just a reminder to our fans that the activities on Reno Ave. will end at tipoff, and no watch party will be available. For more details, please see our recent NEWS RELEASE

THUNDER CARES: GAME AUCTION AND RAFFLE
During Thursday's Game 3, the Thunder will hold a special Thunder Cares Foundation auction and raffle. The team's proceeds will go to a fund established for Norman Richards II, the 22-year-old innocent bystander who was critically injured in the shooting incident in Oklahoma City on May 21. The funds collected will assist the Richards family with medical and other expenses. Attending the game? Stop by the auction outside Section 120 on Thursday night before the end of the third quarter.
The fan and his son: