Why Were So Many Police Officers At The Scene When Mr. Garner Was Brought Down?

[JustAnotherGen]

3. There have been a few reports that he - Mr Garner was breaking up a fight right before the incident

By most accounts, Garner, who had been arrested numerous times for selling loose cigarettes and other minor traffic infractions, was well-known as a peacemaker on Staten Island streets. Married with six children, his large presence often helped broker disputes and break up fights – which witnesses say he was doing on the day of his death. Garner was trying to break up a fight before police arrived on the scene.

But when at least three police officers tried to arrest the 6-foot, 3-inch, 350-pound man, again for peddling single cigarettes called “loosies,” Garner told the cops surrounding him, “It ends today!” telling them to keep their hands off him and suggesting that he would not submit to another low-level arrest
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/1203/Eric-Garner-case-why-it-might-not-be-Ferguson-all-over-again-video

Perhaps that was why the police were called? People were getting rowdy and Mr. Garner was trying to tamp down the acrimony?