In the past couple of months, there have been serious public disturbances resulting in riots and numerous acts of public violence throughout the United States. Williamsport had very peaceful demonstrations, but there was trouble brewing. On July 18th, Williamsport could easily have become yet another community to add to this disintegration of law and order in the country.

A small group of members of the National Socialist Movement (Nazi for short) had been planning a rally at Brandon Park since the beginning of 2020, but their permit requests were not approved due to COVID concerns. Based in a small town in Potter County, the group was determined to have a summer rally in Williamsport. Denied permission to meet, they publicly announced that the venue for their rally would be moved to their headquarters in Potter County.

But on a hot Saturday, July 18th, a little after 1:00 p.m., three vehicles pulled up to Brandon Park in Williamsport and out jumped about fifteen heavily tattooed, heavily armed people. With bullhorn blaring and swastika flag flying, they began walking around the park, proudly proclaiming their racist chants. They stopped at the Bandshell for a photo op while continually looking to goad the onlookers.

This had all the makings of a crisis were it not for the thin blue line that was standing by. Williamsport Police Chief Damon Hagan had not bought the group’s public statements about moving their venue back to Potter County. He had his officers on the ready and more in reserve. When I asked him why he was so prepared, he said simply, “I don’t trust Nazis.”

It was an incredible team effort of federal, state, and local authorities coordinating their efforts this day. Since the group had originally expressed their intentions back in January, months of preparation had taken place. Williamsport had mobilized not just the police force, but the fire company and parks department also played a part. Besides the local law enforcement officers there at the park, the county deputy sheriffs were also on hand as well as a large unit of mounted Pennsylvania State troopers on standby at Penn College. All these agencies were being coordinated at a Command Center at the Third Street Plaza, which moderated the contingency efforts of federal, state, and local authorities on this day.

The law enforcement officers from the Williamsport Police Department and Lycoming County Sheriff’s office were also well prepared, long before the rally had even been planned. Each of those who participated had been trained for disturbances such as this. It was not just in knowing what they were to do individually, but also how each of them had to work as a team and in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.

So, while the yelling and chanting were taking place by these men carrying semi-automatic weapons, knives, and God knows what else, the thin blue line stood silently by respecting the rabble’s constitutional freedom to speech and to bear arms. However, when a group of bystanders decided to confront the neo-Nazi members, the officers quickly moved in and kept the groups apart.

That moment could have gone south very quickly had the officers been less trained or less professional, but that was not the case. The officials knew what to do and were ready to do it. They kept their cool, and maneuvered the Potter County guests back to their cars, and followed them as they exited the park and eventually left the city. The whole episode took less than an hour. It was technically an incident-free day, but not without some drama.

Commissioner Scott Metzger was at the Command Center, and beyond the amazing cooperation between all these various agencies, he praised the amount of community support for this day. UPMC had ambulances on standby. Blockades had been placed at Williamsport’s two synagogues. Local stores such as Lowes and Walmart donated food and beverage to law enforcement officials who stood for hours in 90+ degree heat. One sheriff’s deputy was to attend a wedding but decided his presence was needed more on the thin blue line.

The line is thin because there are far more who wish to do harm than those who can stand against them. Attorney General Barr noted this in his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on July 28th. He stated, “There is no harder job in America today than being a police officer. When officers respond to an emergency, whether a catastrophe like 9/11 or an everyday crime, they do not set out to protect white people or black people, they risk and sometimes give their lives to protect and serve all people, and all people owe them thanks.”

It is worth keeping this in mind, that when most of us have a bad day, we might lose time, money, or perhaps some pride or prestige. When a law enforcement officer has a bad day, they could be dead. Even when doing their job correctly, they are under the highest scrutiny. Attorney General Barr said it best, “There is no harder job in America today than being a police officer.” He is right, and he is also right that we do owe them thanks.