They're here, there and everywhere you look in Uptown.

So many police that if you leave one group, you're at the next a few steps later.

The idea - if you're thinking about doing something stupid - think again.

Throwing fireworks equals arrest.

Disrupting traffic equals arrest.

Fighting and weapons equals arrest

450 officers altogether. 100 more than last year.

Plus, 100 sheriff's deputies are running a mobile arrest processing center and temporary holding center.

Dick Perkins was in uptown one year when it happened.

"It" was two years ago, fights, fireworks, troublemakers and general unruliness prompted city leaders to say they were embarassed - and vowed never again.

Last year's presence led to 140 arrests for mostly minor infractions. Mayor Pat McCrory took heat for saying a lot of people dressed in a "gangster look."  He stood by his comment.

As far as peace through strength?

Perkins says he thinks the city is right in doing it but, it’s a shame it has to happen that way.

He and his family say they've seen enough in Uptown and are glad they're watching fireworks just outside the loop - then heading home.