Ice-T’s Concert Draws Big Turnout--and Police : Music: L.A. event is peaceful despite controversy over artist’s lyrics on killing of law enforcement officers.

Rapper Ice-T, who has enraged the law enforcement community with a song that they say endorses the killing of police officers, came to North Hollywood for a concert Friday night--and the police were ready for him.

His sold-out concert at the 1,200-seat Electric Ballroom went off without trouble, contrary to the expectations of authorities, judging from the heavy police presence.

At least 60 uniformed Los Angeles police officers were on hand outside the concert hall, a plainclothes officer was inside the building and two officers were stationed atop a bank building across the street. At least one Lankershim Boulevard merchant took the precaution of boarding up his business.

But to many concert-goers, it seemed like overkill as the concert began uneventfully.

“There are more cops out here than at Florence and Normandie (during the riots),” said Nathan Mahan, 26, of Sylmar.

“The only trouble here is the cops,” Sal Gonzalez, 23, of Arleta said. “They don’t need to be here. It’s just a concert.”

Ice-T’s heavy metal song “Cop Killer” has stirred the anger of police officers nationwide and spurred demands that Time-Warner Inc. and music retailers discontinue sales of the “Body Count” album.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Chuck Labrow defended the police presence, saying authorities wanted to be prepared in the event of trouble at the artist’s first local appearance since the flap over “Cop Killer.”

“Police won’t incite anything,” Labrow said, adding that he was making an effort “to be as upfront as possible” with Ice-T’s fans. Indeed, a sergeant and several officers were stationed near the entrance to the building, greeting concert-goers.

“Most police disagree with (Ice-T’s) message,” Labrow said. “But we can put our feelings aside and be professionals.”

Across the street, two protesters held up placards critical of the rapper.

“There’s two things that really get my goat. One is burning the flag and the other is singing about it being OK to shoot cops,” said Lee Thurmond, 29, of Chatsworth, who held a sign that said: “Put Ice-T on Ice.”

City Councilman Joel Wachs also showed up to signal his disapproval of Ice-T’s message.

“It’s a democracy and Ice-T has a constitutional right to express himself, but we have a duty to denounce the advocating of the taking of life,” the councilman said.

While many fans commented on the police show of force as they filed by, some said they had other things on their minds.

Paul Myron, 22, of North Hollywood said he was pleased to have been released from the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles in time to attend. “Everybody down there is talking about Ice-T,” he said. “I just had to be here.”