"It's because of the stereotypes," said a youngwoman from Newbury College, who would onlyidentify herself as Desiree G. But, she said,"It's better to be safe than sorry."

BSA President Kristen M. Clarke '97, who stoodin line to buy tickets, said "nothing is wrong.""Everybody is happy and excited to attend theconcert," she said. Clarke said frisking is notlimited to events featuring hip-hop. She said shehad once seen audience members at a Mozart concertfrisked before entering.

Several concert-goers criticized the events'organizers. "It's kind of ridiculous that theseguards are keeping people out," said Soyini C.Coke '98. "When people are told to move back, theyshould have the last time. It's ridiculous howpeople who paid weren't allowed to go in."

One Adams House junior said the police presencewas unusual. "At last year's pre-frosh dance, itwas packed," said the junior, who spoke oncondition of anonymity. "There weren't 10 copswatching all over the place."

"They get this image of gangs and violence.Even before the thing began, there were two carsoutside Bentryway and three outside C-entryway.The only requirement is that you have to hire onesecurity officer for a four-hour police detail."

But Epps downplayed the police presence. "Thepolice are normally assigned to dance in order tomake sure that the capacity is not exceeded at thefunction," he said last night.

Two guards from the private security firm,which they said was ALS Security of Boston,confirmed that ten guards had been hired for theevent