Chief Bratton Briefs Media On MacArthur Park Disturbance

for podcast of Chief Bratton and Police Commission President Mack's Media Brief on MacArthur Park Disturbance, click here

Los Angeles: Police Chief William Bratton today provided members of the media with the following comments regarding the confrontation with police that occurred last night in MacArthur Park:

"In my capacity as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, I want to assure the public we all serve, the political leadership of the City, the media, and the men and women of the Department, that the Department, in conformity with the Consent Decree, our policies and procedures, and guidance from the Police Commission, will conduct comprehensive, detailed investigations into the unfortunate events that occurred in MacArthur Park yesterday, at the conclusion of what had been a series of peaceful marches, demonstrations, and rallies by tens of thousands of participants. 

"My responsibility and obligation as Chief of Police is to investigate what happened, determine why it happened, and address and correct identified problems and issues.  In this instance, we will specifically focus on command and control of our officers, our strategic planning efforts and tactics, and most importantly, our significant use of force while attempting to address the illegal and disruptive actions of 50 to 100 agitators who were not a part of the larger group of thousands of peaceful demonstrators.
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"As Chief of this Department and as a resident of this City, both of which I have come to love, I share the understandable concern and frustration of all of you that once again the Department, its members and the community are involved in such a troubling event.  Echoing Mayor Villaraigosa's comments, any time that our law enforcement officers use force, the public has an absolute and unqualified right to expect and demand an aggressive review of the facts and receive an honest reporting of the conclusions and recommendations.

"Last evening, shortly after the events at MacArthur Park and after discussions with Mayor Villaraigosa and Police Commission President John Mack, I held a series of command staff meetings to initiate several investigations into this matter.  The Inspector General, Andre Birotte, participated in the meetings held last night and throughout the day today, and will be involved as they move forward.

"One of the two investigations will focus on creation of an “After Action Report" to be prepared by Chief of Operations, Earl Paysinger. This comprehensive evaluation of the planning and operations relative to yesterday's events will be the foundation for a report to the City Council.

"A second  use of force investigation into complaints about our officers' actions will be conducted in full conformity with Consent Decree mandates, and will be headed up by Chief Mark Perez and the Internal Affairs Division of our Professional Standards Bureau.

"Last night, Chief Perez and his investigators were deployed to MacArthur Park to gather information and conduct interviews.  They were also sent to local hospitals to determine how many people were injured and to get their statements.  Investigators will be interviewing the organizers of the event as well.  Today, Professional Standards Bureau investigators are still collecting physical evidence, which includes video coverage from the local media, the LAPD Video Unit and video from surveillance cameras around the park.

"Investigators will be interviewing injured members of the media later this afternoon.  They will also work to identify the officers involved in the uses of force.

"The ultimate goal of the internal affairs investigation is to:

•Thoroughly investigate citizens' complaints of misconduct to determine accountability of individual officers' actions.

•Where an officer's actions are determined not to meet LAPD professional standards, to assist in determining the appropriate discipline.

"I have appointed my Chief of Staff, Jim McDonnell, who also oversees our Use of Force Review Boards, to oversee and coordinate both investigations. 

"As I have stated, I am committed to an aggressive and exhaustive review of the facts.  To assist us in these investigations we need the participation of the media and the public.  If you have information or complaints concerning yesterday's incident, we encourage you to contact Internal Affairs at 1-800-339-6868 or the Inspector General at 213-202-5866.

"While there is still a great deal of fact and detail that must be sorted through, we do know the number of people hurt in the confrontation between police and demonstrators, including several members of the media, continues to grow.  Seven LAPD officers also suffered minor injuries caused by demonstrators throwing objects, and one motor officer was pushed off his bike.

"Eight adults and one juvenile were arrested for several offenses, including drinking in public, assault with a deadly weapon for throwing a rock at officers, and one arrest was made for interfering with police.

"In conclusion, before opening up to your questions, I regret and am, as are all of you, disturbed by the events so vividly depicted in the various news report videos.  Police use of force in any context is always visibly and emotionally upsetting, even when necessary and lawful – our challenge in reviewing and investigating the actions of our Department and its officers, and that of the public, is to determine if that use of force was an appropriate response to the level of threat, disturbance and danger that the officers were encountering. My commitment to you is to meet that challenge."

Comments

[Bruce Scheer]

I watched the picture of the police crowd control techniques...I know it is hard to be a cop and I am sure there are 2 sides to this story, but I also know that the police seem to lose their professionalism during this demonstration. What I saw maybe explained blow by blow like the Rodney King beating but this certainly appeared as brutality without restraint. How are these officers being trained? What violations were being committed that could not be dealt with differently? Where does this anger come from? Times are pretty rough these days. I fear that we will be more polarized than in the 60's if we do not figure out how to let people address their government peacefully. These scenes just make people on both sides so angry and bitter.
Thank you for listening.

[Travis]

What is wrong with your department and this park/police brutality issue? It looked like a foriegn country!!! As a LA native living in Denver now I am angry and embarrased. How many issues like this will the department allow to happen? It is starting to look like brutality is LAPD policy!

[Paul]

Nothing New. Ignorant bigots have and always will run the police forces in this country. Idealist locution of politicians and bourgeois lawmakers have no correlation to the material reality of our sad situation.

[Anne]

L.A.'s finest is better than this moment reflects. My one question (and criticism) is why does the LAPD continue, in the heat of the moment, to abuse people holding or manning cameras? It never works. Going back to the Brown Power/Chicano movement of the 1960's, the LAPD has been bashing in the skulls of both media and those protesters/participants in events who had no chance to disperse. I really thought that the LAPD had matured past this point, even going to the extreme of being non-confrontational in instances where somebody's skull really should have been whacked with a police baton!

[ron]

HERE WE GO AGAIN!! You can't beat a reporter and throw his camera down while cameras are rolling and think you can get away with it. Stupid, Stupid. I am anxious to hear this excuse. I wonder how much this will cost the taxpayer???

[Truman]

I absolutely support the LAPD men and women who were out there, on the front lines - especially
considering the obscene and disruptive nature of the rally, and its ungrateful participants. The over-zealous "media" was inciteful and prohibitive.

The dept. heads need to send the message that peacekeepers are to be respected for their position - to message by example a show of support.

The irony is incredible!
Law breakers demanding their rights by breaking the law - LAW KEEPERS being made the criminals!

What a shame....

[j latsko]

We deserve answers sooner than thirty days from now.
The evidence is out there for all to see.
Give us answers and enact consequences now, not in a month's time.
Show us accountability or the Chief should not expect to 'win' our approval for another five years. For that matter, neither should our mayor.
Today, Fabian Nuñez is the only voice speaking for us. I need not repeat what he has asked for!
Can we not trust the LAPD to preserve our SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS?
... if there is another rally tomorrow, next week, whenever? Are we to be silenced by FEAR?

We should not be asked to wait thirty days.
This is inexcusable.

[EV]

I BELIEVE IN PROFESSIONAL,WELL TRAINED, MATURE AND
EXTREMELY DESCIPLINE POLICE OFFICERS HANDLING CROWD CONTROL TACTICS. WHAT I SAW YESTERDAY, METROPOLITAN DIVISION DID NOT PERFORMED AS SUCH. IT IS SAD TO SEE THIS OUTSTANDING UNIT BEHAVE THIS WAY.

[victor gonzalez]

I cannot believe that you are allowed to continue to be a chief, after the clearly violations of freedom of speech. You should be fired and take responsibility for your police officers true abuse of power. If they were black, you would have been fired immediately, but because they were Latinos nothing ever happens. I hope you take responsibility for your police department, racist and zionistic abuse of force and power. We the people, that is who you are getting paid to protect.

[Jon Marc]

You know, this type of thing happens within every police force everyday. I understand that when my brother seeks protection, than I will protect my brother. In the police force, one office sees the other officer as a brother/sister and will protect them in this same fashion, but the police officer must also use caution when thinking this way. Is the police officer obeying the law? The large majority of the police officer's mentality feel that they don't obey anything especially "the law" because they ARE the law! Power is like money in that it is often abused. I no longer trust any cop, no matter what. My children see these things and either grow up fearing or hating the cop or seeing it as an opportunity to obtain power to seize control of certain goals in life. This is no good.

I don't see that the LAPD will do anything to these 'fascists', because every officer in a uniform is a brother/sister and they will do whatever it takes to protect the other even when they are in the wrong.

[Yvette]

I am grateful that the Chief has deployed so many resources to investigate the events that occurred during the immigration demonstration. While conducting the investigation utilizing many man hours and overtime let us not forget that the police officers were outnumbered by those refusing to clear the area. We should also not forget that had there been a strong police presence at the civil unrest many of the events that occurred might not have. I believe the officers used the training they received and continue to receive when they have to deal with large crowds. In trying to disperse an unruly crowd incidents may occur that are not nice. As I looked at the news coverage of the events taking place live at MacArthur Park the first thing I thought was "Why are they (the media) between the police line and the demonstrators?" I saw what could happen. Why didn’t they? I knew the officers would have to take action in order to disperse the crowd. The media at that time became demonstrators interfering with police activity. It is unfortunate that members of the public and media were injured it is further unfortunate that the men/women who protect and serve were injured also. Maybe the media and police can sit down and figure out what went wrong.

The police officers at the scene are not totally to blame for the incident; the media must assume some responsibility when they put themselves in unpredictable situations. Reporting the news should not make one above the law. Reporting the news responsibly and not getting in the way of police activity has to be lessons learned here. As a citizen of Los Angeles I do not want my police officers to be afraid of taking action when necessary. The event organizers should be ashamed of themselves for putting everyone in danger and should have to answer to someone. Chief let's not be quick to judge and or make comments detrimental to the outcome of the investigation.

[joseph zelenis]

sir, i under stand that some officers may have to be disciplened for striking reporters. however i wonder if the LA POLICE COMISSION WILL FIND IT SELF AT FAULT FOR NOT HEEDING IT'S EXPERT ON CROWD CONTROL . CAPT MACARTHEY. HE HAD MISGIVINGS ABOUT ADIQUATE RESPONSE The panel issued a parade permit any way. i saw the meeting on ch 35. communnists can't be trusted

[William Scott]

I believe the illegal Mexican immigrants showed exactly what is the fiber of their character. They would not follow police officer instructions and at times they boldly challenged the officers. Mexicans do not have to be members of gangs in order to disobey rules, regulations, and laws. This country is making a big mistake by letting them live, work and protest while they have already broken the law by being here. They claim that they are working jobs that U.S. citizens do not want. But, in reality, these companies are not hiring U.S. citizens in order to pay the Mexicans at a lower rate and avoid paying city, state, and federal taxes and benefits. Also, when these companies put a Mexican in charge, they refuse employment or fire U.S citizens in order to hire a Mexican. They discriminate against citizens who want to work. And they have the nerve to cry racism and discrimination. They also cry immigration reform. They only see themselves as immigrants and think they can saturate this country with themselves. Why does this country think that citizens can be denied rights but the illegal immigrants have rights that are not extended to citizens?

[Chonchers]

I have an equation that could solve the demonstrator's problems:

Not dispersing when ordered to do so + throwing rocks and bottles at police = possibly getting smacked with a baton.

This should answer all questions and concerns. If you find yourself nursing bumps and bruises from any demonstrations, please reflect back upon your actions and decide whether you failed to leave the area or chose to throw objects at police.

If you did either of these things... shut your mouth and take some tylenol.

Thank you

[Yvon Surprenant]

No matter how thorough the investigation will be, how many years it will take to arrive at a conclusion, it will only portrait and reflect how sick the LAPD force has been and still is.

[Jose Lopez]

Looks like the LAPD is out of control again with the May Day Melee. Its good to know that the great American police state continues to beat down the peaceful public. No wonder co-operation with the police is on the decline. No one likes to help criminals.

[Blogger]

The South East Asian region has her share of illegal immigrants. Most of them are Indonesians, Filipinos, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Burmese, Chinese from China and others. They come here in search of a better life but of course, it is not a better life for them. Some of them are willing to do anything illegal for a sum of money and for staying here. They are paid very little and because there are very few complaints, these illegal immigrants could stay put for surprisingly many years. Their
" bosses " do not mind paying the meager salaries because it would mean them keeping more money for themselves. If the authorities deport them, they will somehow find their way back again. To be a citizen here will require a certain number of years of staying in this country, having the relevant documents, having the relevant referrals and all the bureaucratic stuff that they have to go through. Until today Chineses from China are not allowed to be citizens of Malaysia, even though Malaysia has her own flesh and blood Chineses. Unless the citizens themselves do not mind the meager salaries, they can do the jobs that are done by legal and illegal immigrants. This illegal immigrant issue is not a new one. About 100 years ago, some Chinese went to USA and were labourers working in mine fields, building railway tracks and all that. They did not think of becoming American citizens. All they wanted was the money, go back to China and be known as rich men of status. But somehow they stayed on and their descendants are the first, second even third generation of immigrants in US. They are hardworking people. Some have even helped in the American society. Who would you consider as a genuine American ? It should be the Red Indians. But we hardly see a Red Indian holding an important post. So these are just some of my thoughts on the issue of illegal immigrants.

[Enough Isay]

Shame on you!!!!!! As reciprocity is the base of any relationship, we will grant full reciprocity to your citizens, we will treat them with the same brutality you treat our brothers. You do not want “latinos” in USA and I fully agree with you, but also I understand you “Gringos” have no business in Latin America either. Your degenerate citizens, who travel to our countries to sexually abuse of our teens, will get what they disserve.

[raymond]

what happen on the 2nd was sickening to watch, reminds me of the 1930-40s when LAPD did this almost daliy to Mexican/Americans.

[Rick Clow]

Are we forgetting that most of the people in this "demonstration" are in this country illegally and therefore already criminals? Instead of playing the touchy feely political game, let's support the brave men and women who protect us every day!

[Monica]

I don't know if you can post this but Cmdr. Tatreau was a great man.

Jim Tatreau, 58; pushed to create LAPD cold case unit
By Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writer

Cmdr. Jim Tatreau, a driving force behind the creation of the LAPD cold case homicide unit, has died. He was 58.

Tatreau died Sunday afternoon surrounded by his family at his Los Angeles County home two years after being diagnosed with brain cancer, his son Jim Jr. said. Los Angeles Police Department detectives said they had tried to create a centralized unit in 2001 that would use DNA and fingerprint database technology to reexamine thousands of forgotten murder cases.

It was Tatreau, as captain of the department's Robbery-Homicide Division, who cut through bureaucratic obstacles and made the case to department brass. "He thought it was negligent to not make use of technological advances to solve cases, many of which had been gathering dust for decades," said Det. Rick Jackson, a member of the original cold case homicide unit. "That's why he fought so hard for our unit's creation, when it looked like it might not get off the ground."

Since its inception, the unit has solved nearly 50 homicide cases dating back half a century. Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley on Monday called Tatreau a "true believer who was ahead of the curve" to the possibilities of DNA technology.

Easygoing with a quick wit, Tatreau was known as a fierce advocate for his officers and detectives. Robbery-Homicide Det. Ronald Y. Ito, lead investigator on the Robert Blake murder case, recalled how despite pressures of a high-profile, high-stakes celebrity investigation, Tatreau allowed him to conduct a broad-ranging inquiry with minimal political interference.

Blake eventually was acquitted in criminal court of his wife's slaying but found liable in a civil trial. Tatreau "instinctively understood what detectives needed and wanted," Ito said. "He supported our theories of a case, but he also wanted us to check out every aspect of it."

Tatreau, who sat on hundreds of LAPD boards of rights, which deal with disciplinary issues, did not shy away from controversy. A believer in second chances, he often sided with those officers who had fallen out of favor.

"Jim had a soft spot for the underdog, for the 'strays' as he called them,' " said his sister, Terri Tatreau, a retired LAPD sergeant. "If you were being run out of town, Jim would step out in front and turn it into your parade." Born in Long Beach in 1948, James Tatreau was the sixth of eight children.

As a youngster, he played basketball and performed odd jobs — delivering newspapers and shining shoes. He also worked at his family's neighborhood restaurant washing dishes, peeling potatoes and preparing hamburger patties. On his way to Catholic school at 11, Tatreau would stop off at the courthouse in Long Beach to watch cases, sometimes missing class. But it wasn't until high school that he began to consider a career in law enforcement. While attending Long Beach City College, Tatreau became a student worker with the Los Angeles Police Department, joined the academy and graduated in 1970.

He rotated through assignments in patrol, traffic, vice, gang enforcement and Internal Affairs before being named captain of the Newton Division in 1990. Between 1998 and 2003, he served as head of the Robbery-Homicide Division before being promoted to commander.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy; sons Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Tatreau Jr. and Officer Scott Tatreau of the Mesa, Ariz., Police Department; and daughters Tiffany and Tatum. Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. next Tuesday at St. Pius V Catholic Church in Buena Park. The LAPD will hold a memorial service May 9 at the Police Academy.

The family asks that any donations be made to City of Hope for brain cancer research.

[Megan McGrath]

May 1st demonstration: The officers did a great job. How dare anyone demonstrate in the street. The officers protected the laws and dispersed the people correctly. Chief Bratton, I stand by you while you stand by the officers. They did the right thing. Please keep protecting me and my fellow Americans. Protesters must obey the laws and remain in the areas where the demonstration is authorized. I hope more Americans share their support!

[Boomer]

Hey Metro, Good Job...If they dont like it...then bang in sick for the next demo....Let the Chief and Staff stand on the line.. Chaleff, Birotte and Mack can be the linebackers...

[Kyle]

Why is it that when minorities gather, the police use violence as their first course of action? I saw no bottles thrown, nor would I be afraid of a water bottle if I were in full riot gear. The reports say that anarchists were throwing things. Please remember officers. You are living in the filthiest city in the U.S. and many people cover their faces to block dust, especially in places as dusty as MacArthur Park. It is unfortunate that the LAPD has more bad publicity because we need more officers to keep the streets safe. Please work on removing discrimination from your police force. Thank you.

[ron]

I do not approve of the L.A.P.D. beating reporters. Metro did not do a good job. It was just plain stupid to knock a reporter down and toss his camera for the whole world to see. Is that ok with you boomer and Megan ? huh? huh?
The chief is not happy with the way they things were carried out nor are the city leaders. The way metro acted was just plain wrong and now its going to cost the city a lot of money. Watch the news and listen you might learn something.

[Nick]

Only in America are illegal imigrants granted the right to protest act like jack asses and then be commended or defended when they get the hammer! In other countries we would be jailed and then you would never hear about it, but not here. Things are so messed up ! At least the LAPD is doing something to squash this behavior that is just unbeleivable. I think we should treat people from other countries as those countries treat Americans. Try finding work in Mexico or Canada or Australia being from another country. Yet immigrants come here and "demand" and "protest", commit crimes against the people who "belong" and they are granted more than those of us who rightfully call this country home. I say you go LAPD, at least you are saying and doing something about the rampant behavior...and Chief Bratton, Your men did the right thing, stand by your men for they stand by YOU !

[Jeff]

If you act like a bunch of animals chances are that you will be treated like a bunch of animals.

If I were a betting man I would say that, as usual, it is the vocal minority that gets all of the press. If you were to poll the nation as a whole, I am certain that the overwhelming majority of Americans would give the LAPD a big thumbs up for not putting up with the non-sense of a bunch of low-class, primarily uneducated and unethical group of fools that lack any sense of integrity.

Also, keep this in mind for your next rally; when the police (policia) say that your party and excuse to not go to work is over and that you must leave, take heed and do so. Quickly finish your Tecate, gather up your mess, dispose of it in the nearest trash receptacle, and take all of your mijos and mijas by the hand and head back to your pink and green, 700 sq ft homes that you share with your 15 other family members. If you fail to do so you now know what is coming for you...bad things!

Looking forward to your replies but please use the Spell and Grammar checks to assist with the broken English so that I can somewhat understand to reply back.

[Allen]

Listen UP!!!!!I am an a American and in this Country, I will give you an example for those like Bratton that have been smoking too Much Dope!!! If I am driving without a Drivers License and I hit someone that has been drinking and driving, and I kill them. Then it is MY Fault!!! I would say that they should not have been driving while drunk, but I was breaking the law by driving without license. I said that to say this, the Illegal Immigrants (key word "Illegal") should not be here, they are breaking the law, Bratton should have supported those that got spit on, were cussed at, mocked, and resisted, the illegals knew they were told Not to go down that route, but they did it anyway. Any American would have been arrested, but Bratton wants to have his 15 seconds of shame, The LAPD should call for his Resignation. He isn't a very good leader, nor would he protect those that are under him. I would have all of the Illegals that were breaking the law arrested and deported!!! You have to smoke alot of dope to make a statement and stab your people in the back in the publics eye like Bratton did. Bratton sits behind his desk smoking his peace pipe and decides that he is going to investigate how the men and women that put themselves in harms way everyday for people in your community, when you call 911 who comes to your rescue or help?? Bratton?? No!!! He is too busy listening to Led Zeppelin and hitt'in it!!! Party on Bratton!!!! I would ask those fine men and women of the police force to have a walk out day, and pick out what ever crime you want to commit per Bratton it is ok. Bratton gives a free pass to intimidate, break the law, and basically publically embarass your Finest all over the Country. I support all the men and women that are put in harms way every minute of everyday that they work. You better take care of the ones that take care of you. I would have shot real bullets, they were not peaceful, they took a route that was forbiddin. The news all ways shows and portrays the police to be the bad guys. The mexicans are here Illegal, if they were not here they would not have been protesting our law and order of our society, they are use to have no law nor order, shoot'em up in the streets, aree ba, aree ba. This is a joke!!! Get ready America, the crimes are on the rise more than ever, and the appeals too. If you let one group openly break the law with no consequences, then you can't expect others to bide by laws of the land. Bratton do your job and take care of the first couple of crimes first, first arrest and deport the illegals, second charge the illegals with tresspassing for taking the route they were not suppose to take anyway. Then you would not have to look into why the men and women were doing thier job. Leave or do your job. Bratton Resign Please!!!!!!!!!Go South!!!!!Make a run for the border!!! We should investigate Bratton, none of this makes sense. Why would Bratton do this????Do the department a favor and just leave, shows us how to walk out!!!!Posted by a FED UP American!!!!!

[offered by LOVESLALEOS]

"Never Give up
No matter what is going on
Never Give up
Develop the Heart
Too much energy in your country
is spent developing the mind
instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
but to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
in your heart and in the world
Work for peace
and I say again
Never Give up
No matter what is happening
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up."

H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama

[the sister in me]

I believe it is my job as an adult to take care of me. I've lived in LA for 49 years, and whenever I am in a large group of people, and have the slightest sense things are going to get unruly, I say, "Feet don't fail me now," and I make haste to go the other way. I left in the middle of a James Brown concert at the Coliseum many years ago because the Crips started agitating, just like over three groups of anarchists did at MacArthur Park. The authorities did not have to tell me to go. I don't think this is particular to Los Angeles. You hear about people getting trampled at soccer games all over the world. One thing I wonder is if the officers at MacArthur park included those familiar with the area. This is a part of Los Angeles that has throngs of people milling about every day. We hardly needed people coming from Berkeley to add more bodies in that congested area. The permit should have been denied. Not saying the people who got the permit were the problem; but there are always agitators trying to get world court press. If we have an understaffed police department, we have no business hosting this sort of event unless they bring their own security force. If our city doesn't want to fund a fully staffed police department, we shouldn't expect the Olympics or another football team or anything else in Los Angeles. At least the Superintendent of Schools kept the kids off the streets. I just wish people would stop blaming the officers and the immigrants in this blog. They have hate groups for you people elsewhere on the internet.

[Ed O'Shea]

Chief you ought to be ashamed of yourself for your obtuse statements and shameless pandering! You, sir are putting us on the front line, not you in your lush corner office, in harms way! You have certainly solidified your position for the next five years! But, then a one eyed monkey, with half a brain could see you posturing for Tony Villa, like a lap dog! We have not had a real Chief in this city since Chief Gates! All since have been political hacks! Though only Willie was keen enough to see that he was not really in charge at all. This city is in deep trouble and a downward spiral until the Chief of Police is given back civil service protection. We need to get real Law Enforcement professionalism in the Chiefs officer instead of the current LA status quo. A wet political finger in the air, and a knee jerk reaction might be what our PATHETIC 1 term Mayor might like. SHOCKING! But the rest of the country is looking at the Los Angeles Police Departments response on May 1st as a Lawful stand against a group of opportunistic criminals that are incapable of living by our laws! Most of the people were able to express themselves like civilized human beings, as for the ones that got dealt with! Let that be a lesson to you! Any force by you against the citizens of Los Angeles or the LAPD will be met with overwhelming force!
15 of my fellow Warriors were injured during these animals inability to behave, I hope you'll all be ok, and job well done in holding the line. This city owes you greatly for not allowing the thugs to get out of hand!

Stay Safe,
Ed O'Shea

[LL]

I'm sorry LAPD officers were put in this fray. If we had a POTUS this assault by foreign national invaders and advocates for anarchy would be met with U.S troops. That would have been proper.

[Tom]

If the department wants to win back the respect of the public, don't push this down on to a handful of low-level officers who might have done something wrong. Ultimately, the chain of command lost control of their officers. People at lieutenant grade or higher need to join the ranks of the unemployed over this...

[Nancy]

I support the LAPD, and think everyone should wait until all are heard.

I understood that they were told to dispurse in English, and probably did not understand, which again points out why English is our language, not spanish.

I do not understand why tax payers are paying out all this money to protect people who are not citizens and really think we owe them something.

[LA Citizen]

Kyle, your an idiot. The media is showing you what they want you to see. The demonstration did not last the 30 seconds the media is showing you. The demonstration lasted hours. Of course they are not going to show the officers taking on rocks and bottles. That would justify the Officers actions and would not make for a great tv ratings. Think before you write something stupid. I live and work in L.A. and I am MEXICAN! I would like to see more police officers on the streets kicking ass. All that break the law should recieve what they deserve. The Police here are proffessionals. If you would like to know just how much, visit Mexico. See how you would like some Federalee point an AR-15 in your face just to ask you for I.D. or take your money just because. Did these people forget how the police are in thier countries? I support the LAPD! If you don't like it, the Mexican border is 2 hours away. Start walking!!!

[burt]

Those cops should be arrested and put on trial for criminal assault.

But that will never happen in LA.

[LAPD Supporter]

I'm curious Ron why it is that all your posts on these blogs have been so hostile to the police? It seems to be coming from a very biased place as well with all the other individuals who have shown anger towards the situation.

By the way for all of those people who stated that no rocks have been thrown I will clarify what the news coveniently left out. A motorcycle officer who was not actively engaging in the skirmish line was attacked by protestors and knocked off his bike. Approximately 15 officers were injured and treated at area hospitals for there injuries. I will agree that police brutality is no way to deal with a volatile situation. There were instances that the officers appeared to become over zealous, but no one was beaten senseless as in the Rodney King situation.

Media should also realize that they are not above the law either. When a order to disperse as given they are also included because they can't be walking behind officers or they would've compromised the integrity of the skirmish line.

Folks this is the reality. The USA was established by poor immigrants who sailed over to find freedom. I can sympathize with immigrants that are trying to make a life for themselves. My parents came here after many years of struggle to obtain proper documentation to enter this country and I am grateful for that. But a the times we are experiencing with terrorists trying to subvert our society the least you can asks those attempting to enter this country is to sign the guset book on the way in. Unless all of you Angelinos would prefer to watch the city and the county burn with all of us in it. It would not require much for a terrorist to destroy this city.

Again, I hope you see that hatred towards those that would step in front of a bullet for you is not the answer. If you don't believe in the LAPD's nobility than I suggest you review the North Hollywood shoot out footage. Not one officer cower when they new the odds were completely against them. There are bad apples and I say they should rot for the harm they've done. But I can asure you they are few and far between.

And by the way Ron I do watch the news both written, internet and televised. If past media behavior serves for their "honesty" then I can assume that May sweeps had something to do with the creative editing and lack of pertinent information that would have shown both sides. Remember there is three sides to a story. The protestors, ths cops and then finally ther is the TRUTH.

God bless you all. We have shown here true democracy by given opinions that will not be muffled.....

Perhaps this version of the media, will encourage the LAPD. Because I've been there, done that.

We support the LAPD troops in this incident.

HI-CALIBER Investigations

[Usually LAPD supporter]

Shame on the LAPD for attacking innocent, passive citizens exercising the first amendment right to assembly and free speech. They should be ashamed for putting the safety of children at risk with the overzealous attempt to "maintain the peace." As a supporter of police officers I am disappointed in the actions of SOME LAPD officers at the rally.

[louis]

There was a mention on the news that the chief wants to stencil identifying numbers on the officers' helmets for easy identification. The media should wear identifying vests with their station logo on it , along with wearing the police issued credentials, this will tell the officers they are legitimate media.I feel the officers did what they were trained to do during the dispersal of an unruly crowd. They did a good job, if you stand in the way or refuse to move, you will be pushed or knocked down to the ground. If the media wants to get a good shot at what's going on, they should station themselves at a location with a vantage point, like channel 7 did. They saw everything that happened and did not get in the way of the officers.

[jess]

All I can say is "wow". Only in the LAPD can a situation be made worse. I cannot believe the state of mind of the officers in charge to go ahead with the orders given to break up a march. Must be a rehearsal for a police state.

Glad to see that there is plenty of media footage and private footage to show all the wrong doing and corruption of your fine LAPD finest. to protect and serve...I wouldnt count on it. Thanks for shining so bright, now the rest of America can see the brutality that Angelinos have to go through while a being a minority.

Case in point, the Death of Maurcio Cornejo while in custody of Hollenbeck Police officers at the station. Citizens of LA beware!

[Lowell Mitchem]

As I understand what happened at MacArthur Park, a group of about 100 agitators were organized in a three pronged assault. First was the front line, who were at the front verbally attacking the police. Then there were the agitators "media" there seeking to give the police bad publicity. Third, there were the violent group who threw rocks and bottles at the police but were not caught on the video.
This demonstrates the need for the police department to have its own video media unit to be positioned at large rallies like the one on May 1st so that a more fair and objective view of what really took place can be recorded.
P.S. I want to thank the LAPD for how they have been bringing crime down in our city.

Sincerely,

Lowell Mitchem
Bethune Middle School Teacher

[Mr. Police Man]

The incident at MacArthur park is disturbing. I however back the police department in their choice to disperse the crowd and even the use of the 40cal. rubber projectiles.

I would like to comment about "Truman's" comments. There is no issue with LAPD bothering your 2nd amendment. Maybe you meant to refer to your first amendment. - If you are going to quote something, know what you are talking about -

Now, the one problem I do have with how things were handled. When someone is backing up or stumbling there is no need to think "resistance." We do need to train our officer to think outside the box sometimes.

However when it comes to the media. The media thinks they get free rain because they are allowed in "crime scene." However when the dispersal order comes, yes you too media are required to leave unless you are herded to a special area where you not only can be protected but identified as non-combatants.

[Tom]

Has anyone considered smaller batons made of a material that isn't so painful to those of us that protest? Maybe the company that designed the flashlights can design a politically correct baton.

[Lt. De La Torre]

Jess, I like your suggestion and I will certainly pass it on

[Anne]

The issue in this case is not illegal immigrants! The problem here is the fact that members of the LAPD assaulted reporters and their camera operators. Let's assume that every single private citizen who was beaten in MacArthur Park was disobeying the police order to disperse. In that case, they got what they deserved. Go LAPD.

But there was no reason for assaults against members of the media, most of whom were clearly visible with their oversized TV cameras. This was the problem. Not the illegal aliens. Any police attempt to suppress the legitimate media cannot be tolerated in a free society!

Illegal immigration is another issue entirely and should be debated in a different forum. Yes, Chief Bratton, your public love of Special Order 40 is a disgrace, and you should be ashamed of the way you've allowed the LAPD to protect and coddle illegal aliens. But that is an issue completely separate from the incidents of May 2nd, 2007.

[J. Garcia]

My comment is specifically directed towards Chief Bratton. The job that police officers face today is hard enough without the support of your superiors. By your comments in the media it doesn't sound like your behind your officers. To me, it looked like they took the necessary actions when faced with people refusing to comply with commands.

[fed up citizen]

I saw the first film clips of this on CNN -- before the media 'edited' them. I saw a glass full of liquid being throw at a cop, shattering at his feet. I saw one thugs turning and walking backwards as the police moved forward so that thug could continue to yell at the police as he pointed his finger in their face.

Ms. Gonzalez, some media woman who says she is married to a retired LAPD was told to 'get back inside her van' and she said "no, she wanted to make sure she would be there to photograph everything" so ignored the cop's order for her to get back in her van for safety and then spent every minute since bitching about getting tossed around in the crowd. And she is a the wife of a retired cop??? My opinion: Ms. Gonzalez should have been arrested on the spot. The info in this paragraph was written in Steve Lopez' column in the L.A. Times (California section) today.

Bratton stinks for throwing his men under the bus right off the bat without any investigation yet or conclusion on the findings into what happened. We know Bratton answers to his boss -- Mayor "Reconquista" Villariagosa -- but still, have some pride, Chief Bratton and quit selling out your men and women before you get the facts. Now tonight the news announded that the FBI is going to investigate this incident to see if any of these illegal alien thugs (with their faces covered from the bottom with kerchiefs like some terrorists) "have had their civil rights infringed upon." GIVE ME A BREAK. Where about our cops' rights not to have their heads smashed in with rocks by a bunch of illegal gangbangers and assorted illegal alien anarchists who aren't even suppose to be in this country. This is how protests go in Mexico and El Salvador. These illegals are turning my state into the craphole type of countries they left south of the border.

As for L.A. Mayor Antonio "No one is illegal" Villaraigosa, he was on tv tonight chomping at the bit to get back to L.A. so he's cutting his trip short a few days. Nothing like a chance to defend "his people" -- illegal alien gangbangers and anarchists -- to get Mayor "Mecha" Villariagosas' blood pumping.

TO THE LAPD: Channel 5 news tonight at 10:00 p.m. showed the results of the poll they had last night which asked the question "Do you think the LAPD was right in the way they handled the situation at MacArthur Park" (or wording to that effect) and the results were 80% said "YES" -- the police were correct. So hang in there LAPD -- way more citizens of this City (and surrounding cities and suburbs) who are behind you than you realize which is more than I can say for Chief Bratton.

These illegals -- not all but enough of them -- bring their country's violence culture and their distain and hatred for all law enforcement with them over the border. Time for these anarchist and illegal thugs to head back south -- and stay there.

Fed-Up U.S. CITIZEN

[Tom]

How about actually going after the anarchists or whoever who were throwing the rocks and bottles and not shooting women holding babies with 40mm less lethal rounds? That might actually be some professionalism.
You just gave the agitators exactly what they wanted. Congratulations.

[Ed O'Shea]

Hey LT here is a colum from the man himself, Jack Dunphy! I know all will enjoy this piece, esspecially Ron & COPWATCH!

May 03, 2025

May Day Madness
Police work meets politics on the streets of L.A.

By Jack Dunphy

Yes, it was ugly. But before exploring the details of what made it so, let’s dispense with the hyperbolic claims that LAPD officers were themselves “rioting” or “out of control” when they dispersed the crowd at L.A.’s MacArthur Park Tuesday evening. This was not Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and it was not the summer of ‘68 in Chicago. It was a deliberate exercise in crowd control, one that saw displays of police restraint as well as the application of force. It is the force, naturally, that will be remembered and discussed.

By now you’ve surely seen the video and still images taken at around 6 P.M. Tuesday, when a phalanx of officers in riot gear swept through the park at the end of what had been a peaceful day of marches and demonstrations. Some people, including a few reporters and news cameramen, were knocked down, roughed up, or otherwise manhandled in the process. I was part of a reserve force and nowhere near the park when this occurred, but I’ve spoken with people who were directly involved and I’ve pieced together what I’m confident is an accurate if incomplete description of the events.

There were two separate marches on Tuesday in Los Angeles, one in the morning in the civic-center area, the second in the afternoon at MacArthur Park, just west of downtown. The first was uneventful, as indeed was the second until the very end, when a relatively small group of demonstrators provoked police officers by blocking the street when the terms of their march permit expressly prohibited it. Several times marchers came out into the street but were turned back by ranks of police officers, some on foot, others on bicycles and motorcycles. These demonstrators, their faces hidden behind bandanas, became bolder with each successive foray into the street, taunting officers with the customary “F*** the police” chants and a litany of similar verbal provocations.

The cops on the line remained impassive to these insults, but when the crowd began pelting them with bottles (some filled with urine), cans, batteries, and almost anything else that can be picked up and thrown, police commanders declared the gathering an unlawful assembly and gave an order to disperse. Some news reports have made the claim that no such order was given, but it was broadcast from a police helicopter circling the park, from police cars, and from hand-held bullhorns as the police moved in. These warnings can be heard on some of the videos of the incident now circulating on the Internet.

The officers who entered the park in riot gear were from Metropolitan Division, an elite group specially trained and equipped to control and disperse large crowds with minimal force. They formed a skirmish line of officers with batons, backed up by others armed with “less lethal munitions,” i.e. weapons that fire small beanbags or rubber projectiles about the size of a votive candle. Yes, they hurt, and yes, they leave a welt. They’re supposed to, with the objective of getting recalcitrant individuals within a crowd to get up and scram.

The skirmish line advanced slowly, about 50 feet at a time, allowing those complying with the dispersal order to retreat unmolested. Those who stood their ground were met with batons and rubber bullets. Los Angeles Times reporter Jill Leovy wrote a firsthand account of the incident, including this description of a confrontation between police and a group that refused to disperse:

The lingerers were a mix of protesters and reporters. Some were reporters from established news organizations watching or recording what police were doing, and some were self-styled grassroots reporters — protesters with cameras — some of whom were both filming officers closely and yelling challenges at them. At least three men in this mixed group lingered long enough to be caught by the advancing line of officers and they were batoned. They received one or two baton strokes each.

Sections 407 through 409 of the California penal code read as follows:

407. Whenever two or more persons assemble together to do an unlawful act, or do a lawful act in a violent, boisterous, or tumultuous manner, such assembly is an unlawful assembly.

408. Every person who participates in any rout or unlawful assembly is guilty of a misdemeanor.

409. Every person remaining present at the place of any riot, rout, or unlawful assembly, after the same has been lawfully warned to disperse, except public officers and persons assisting them in attempting to disperse the same, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Note that the law makes no exceptions for reporters, cameramen, lawyers, or anyone else who might see himself as immune from the consequences of remaining in an area after being lawfully ordered to leave. It’s possible that in the noise and confusion some people did not hear the dispersal order when it was first given from the helicopter and police cars, but as the officers advanced slowly through the park the command was given time and again by supervisors trailing the skirmish line. Any fool could have seen it was time to go, and some of those who didn’t were roughly treated.

Some reporters, reveling in the role of victim, have tried to turn the fracas into some kind of anti-press Kristallnacht, as though the involved cops were motivated by some long-repressed hatred for the fourth estate. “I was dumbfounded,” radio reporter Patricia Nazario told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday. “I’ve covered riots. I’ve covered chaos. I was never hit or struck or humiliated the way the LAPD violated me yesterday.”

Predictably, LAPD chief William Bratton was critical of his officers, calling some of their actions “inappropriate.” “Quite frankly,” Bratton told an interviewer on a local radio station, “I was disturbed at what I saw.”

There is nothing in all of God’s creation that preoccupies Bratton more than the way he is covered in the media, so I have no doubt the he was good and disturbed at the sight of his friends in the press being jostled about and herded like goats across the park. As has become the rule, tactical decisions made in the heat of the moment will now be viewed through a political lens and judged on how they impact Bratton’s and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s reputations. The politicians will howl, but the cops on the ground will be the ones who suffer.

Bratton held a news conference Wednesday afternoon and promised a thorough and transparent investigation, which can be translated as meaning he’s looking for some scalps to pin on his wall over this. As he faced reporters he was flanked by grim-faced deputy chiefs and commanders, not a single one of whom was in any danger of being hit with a full soda can or urine-filled water bottle Tuesday evening, and not a single one of whom will share any blame for what happened. Look for a handful of cops, and maybe a sergeant or lieutenant or two, to take the fall. And look for the city to get out the checkbook and start throwing settlements at anyone who even threatens to sue.

As you’re bombarded with the many videos of the melee over the next several days, note that there are no broken bones or bleeding head gashes among the injuries, suggesting that the police might have been more retrained in their tactics than their critics are alleging. And also note how little mention is made of the 15 police officers who themselves were injured that night. Police work can be a dirty, dangerous business, but its got nothing on politics.

[Miguel]

Although watching all the media coverage of this event makes me sick to my stomach. I know there are two sides to every story. I have always had and still hold nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women of the LAPD. It takes strong and dedicated individuals to keep the citizens of this city safe. But the actions of the police officers at MacArthur Park were deplorable.
I support Chief Bratton for a second term as chief of the LAPD; but something needs to be done department wide to curb inexcusable instances such as these. I look forward to hearing the outcome of this investigation.

[joe]

"Get Back" "Go that way" "Move" Those are simple instructions to me. Thousands of people peacefully marching and protesting all day long were not pushed, struck with a baton, hit by rubber bullets, or injured. If "protesters" had begun destroying property or injuring innocent bystanders, the same persons criticizing the LAPD's actions on May 1 would be complaining about a lack of response. Unruly protesters and certain members of the media seized the opportunity to smear the LAPD by failing act responsibly and leave the area when the crowd became violent and unruly. Those comparing this to foreign countries where people are truly abused by police is absurd. The people of Los Angeles should be thankful LAPD officers have the character and integrity to continue working hard fighting crime for people and an organization who do not support them.

[ron]

L.A.P.D. SUPPORTER, and all
No matter what you say you never be able to justify why the reporters were beaten. You can't justify why the tent was knocked down and camers tossed to the ground. Now this behavior will cost the city a lot of $$$$$$$$$

[withheld]

JESS, Cornejo died get over it. He died because he lived by the motto live by the sword die by the sword. I am so tired of YOU tying different issues to this one. He was an ex-con with a gun caught and arrested. He should have taken responsibility for his actions. You and his baby momma’s are the only ones that think there was some kind of foul play involved in his death. There wasn't. This isn't a fine up standing citizen you keep bringing up. If you are going to defend him fine, but paint both picture of this law abiding citizen. Tell me his arrest record. Tell me what his drug of choice was. Tell me what he did for a living. Tell me how much he paid in child support. Help me understand why I should care? Tell me none of his children were supported by welfare! Tell me what his legacy is. Tell me what LAPD did wrong. Because right now I ALL I KNOW is that this was the same person who held me up at gun point with an infant in my arms. So here is your chance to convince me that his life and how he lived it should matter. I hope you have a better argument than the fact that he died while in custody. Was he here in California legally? Because if all you have is that he died while in custody so be it. Jess get off your pedestal and take up a cause that at least gives you some amount of crediblity. Because the star that you've hook your cause too is dead. One more ex-con MEXICAN with a gun off the streets who cares? Now convince me that I should care.

[Tom]

Hi LT. Trying to figure out what Jess said that you liked. Besides non sense.

[Born in the USA]

The organizers of this rally were not prepared. I think the city should take a look at the regulations for issuing permits for assembly. Organizers of assembly should be prepared to pay for privately hired security. The LAPD should be at rallies as back up only. The first line of defense, security should be the company that organizers hire. I was there too. The MEDIA must take responsibility for their actions too. If they are going to put themselves in the middle of volatile situations be ready to move when told and to do as instructed. The media were there to get a story and became part of the problem. They stood their ground thinking I work for so and so I can be or stand anywhere I want too. THANK YOU LAPD for taking care of a situation that was getting out of hand. Thank you for stepping in and keeping vandalism down. Thank you for taking control of a situation that the organizers didn’t. Thank you for doing what needed to be done and making it home safely to your families and for keeping mine safe in the process. I’m sorry that the Government that put you out there in the middle of this mess is now turning on you. I’m sorry that none of these people that are voted in to offices have the back bone to stand up to the pressure and defend the final outcome. Which to me was the lawlessness of this situation was cut down extensively because LAPD acted quickly. BUT what makes me even angrier is that someone who is in this city illegally is now standing in front of the MEDIA filing a law suit. We should be ashamed about what happened in McArthur Park. The organizers were not prepared. The City Council was not prepared. The whole process was handled wrong. There were mistakes made at every level. BUT let’s put the responsibility for this whole mess where it belongs…back with the organizers. They cost the city lots of money and resources that day and now they will cost the city even more resources. I certainly hope that the city and the MAYOR do not settle any of these so called claims. I want to see each and every case go to trial

[Thomas]

Wow, Chief Bratton! Your the one who deployed your officers in the first place. Given that this was going to be a "hot" political issue, you still chose to place your officer in a no-win situation. What did you expect your officers to do when things got out of hand? Offer the troublemakers milk and cookies? Maybe invite them to your home for some cultural diversity conversation? Good luck recruiting officers to your department. No one wants to work for a leader who stands behind them. Lead from the front.

[Shaelyn]

I am writing in support of the LAPD’s actions concerning the illegal alien immigration rally in the Los Angeles area. I am disgusted at your cowing down to
this “La Raza” crowd over and over again. This is exactly what they want to have happen. The crowd clearly instigated the actions of the police and you should stand by your employee’s for God’s sake!! What the hell is wrong with you?

Illegal aliens are overrunning California at the taxpayer’s dollar, yet you keep giving them more and more. What about American Citizens rights? According to the 2006 (First Quarter) INS/FBI Statistical Report on “undocumented immigrants” 95% of warrants for murder in LA are for illegals; 71% of all apprehended stolen cars in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens; 75% of the most wanted list in LA, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are illegal aliens; and 53% of all “investigated” burglaries is California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens. The list just goes on and on…

Murderer’s, thieves, rapists, and drug traffickers: THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE PROTECTING WITH OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS!
Can’t you see what you are doing is wrong???!!!! It is reaction’s like yours that are eroding away at law enforcement and border patrols morale, which is exactly what the mexicans want to have happen.

Here is a newsflash MEXICO - this country does not belong to you!!!

AMERICA -GROW SOME BALLS and PROTECT OUR COUNTRY FROM THIS INVASION!

[Jay Stang]

I don't see any problems with the LAPD's response at all. When dealing with a foreign invading force, which ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS are, you must deploy sufficient force to drive them out of the country.

Yes, the illegals are a foreign force in our country. They are not citizens. They are an army intent on conquering our border states. The LAPD should have opened fire on them for real. That would send them back to whatever country they came from.

Isn't it interesting once again that the protests were held on May 1? The communist/world socialist holiday! Mayday celebrations in the USSR were probably just as fun.

[sd in San Diego]

I am writing in support of the LAPD’s actions concerning the illegal alien immigration rally in the Los Angeles area. I am disgusted at your cowing down to this “La Raza” crowd over and over again. This is exactly what they want to have happen. The crowd clearly instigated the actions of the police and you should stand by your employee’s for God’s sake!! What the hell is wrong with you?

Illegal aliens are overrunning California at the taxpayer’s dollar, yet you keep giving them more and more. What about American Citizens rights? According to the 2006 (First Quarter) INS/FBI Statistical Report on “undocumented immigrants” 95% of warrants for murder in LA are for illegals; 71% of all apprehended stolen cars in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens; 75% of the most wanted list in LA, Phoenix, and Albuquerque are illegal aliens; and 53% of all “investigated” burglaries is California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens. The list just goes on and on…

Murderer’s, thieves, rapists, and drug traffickers: THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE PROTECTING WITH OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS!

Can’t you see what you are doing is wrong???!!!! It is reaction’s like yours that are eroding away at law enforcement and border patrols morale, which is exactly what the mexicans want to have happen.

GROW SOME BALLS and PROTECT OUR COUNTRY FROM THIS INVASION!

[Mo]

It doesn't take to much thinking for a law obiding and informed person to realize what happened in the Park. The agitators (young men with red bandanas) can be seen starting trouble. The same images we see when there are demonstrations in Central and South America countries. There too the police have to use force to stop the violence. In our case, I think the police did the right thing. Preventing violence and/or rioting from spreading. It is very rare to see any other immigrant group taking to the streets in protests. The Hispanics are ecouraged by their own media to demonstrate and to protest in order to feed the stories all over the latin world. It is sick. We have to come to a definite solution regarding immigration. This is a small sample of what is to come.

[Jason T]

The members of the media seem to think it is above the law, and do not have to comply with police orders. As do the illegal immigrants who have invaded this country and their supporters. The police were attacked by masked agitators. What more can we expect from a criminal element that broke the law in the first place coming here. And the media simply refused to move when ordered.

The city refuses to prosecute, or even arrest, illegals. The hands of the police are tied by a corrupt, anti-American city government. It is distressing to see the mayor, the chief, the city council and the public refuse to support their police department, or even look at this objectively, and instead side with those who break the law and create chaos and anarchy.

[Mike C]

Its so unfair the LAPD has to put up with such abuse. Its a tough job. Lets find out which hispanic community member threw the first rock or bottle. An officer should under react and get hurt? Or over react and go home to a family. There was an old saying "better to be judged by 12 then carried by 6"
The government has chosen to let the illegals stay. They want to be citizens, then lets get to it and pay some taxes. Be peaceful and go to work like every other honest person in this country.
LAPD keep up the good work the honest hard working citizens appriciate all you do to make us safe. Chief I hope you get your 2nd term you deserve it, dispite what some idiot with politcal aspirations says.

[George]

It's funny how far can go a few seconds of frustration, when the media selectively shows them. With all the rocks and bottles those officers received, I have not seen a second of footage showing what those officers went through, before they were given the long awaited order to clear that park. Oh yeah, I forgot, the officers are professionals who should have not lost their calm. They should have been able to endure the bottles, rocks and insults....After all, the tax payers are paying their salary and should be able to take a shot at those officers...They are not human beings, in fact, I am pretty sure that when they go through their academy they receive an implant that prevents them from making mistakes (I guess a few implants are defective).
A dispersal order was given, maybe only in English but still given. In the past I have heard announcements from helicopters, and they are audible. Those individuals who failed to move, were either trying to ignore it or, in the media case, trying to get the scoop from the "battle zone" thinking that their camera was a free pass through the Police line - I guess it didn't work.
Moral of the story is: If you see a bunch of coppers moving in your direction wearing a full riot gear, move away from them not towards them.
Guys in blue you are still appreciated out there. Keep up the good job.

[norma]

I would hate to be a policeman in these situations. I have personally been threatened by anarchists who want to see this border erased and I am a Latina. Most of these demonstrators are here illegally and they demand that they be given everything. I would like to try this in the Mexico they worship so much

[Terri Lloyd]

I am deeply saddened by the events at the May Day Immigrant/Workers rally. I have been to many rallies here in Los Angeles, and I understand that tensions rise on both sides of the barriers.

But this was insane, like a group think took over and the humanity side of LAPD dissolved.

Perhaps it's time to look to other cities that manage similar crowds and similar situations differently with less violence.

On another note, when I watch the footage of such events, it makes me wonder about why we see so many of you all at rallies, but when I need police service in my community, it take at least 2-3 hours unless your are bleeding.

Sigh....

[JOE DE LA ROSA]

I HAVE ALWAYS HAD GREAT RESPECT FOR POLICE OFFICERS, BUT WHAT I
SAW ON TV HURTING CHILDREN,WOMEN
AND INOCENT MEN, WERE NOT OFFICERS. THEY WERE NO BETTER THAN
GANG MEMBERS. I WILL NEVER LOOK AT
A POLICE UNIFORM THE SAME WAY. I AM 72 AND NEVER HAVE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW,AND NOW I FEEL LIKE THE POLICE ARE MY ENEMY.I DON'T LIKE THAT FEELING...

[Bernie Thompson]

Great show of restraint during the handling of a mob of criminals during the protest. Most of the participants of the uncontrolled mob have commited multiple crimes just by being here illegally. I was amazed by the restraint of your officers after being pelted with rocks and bottles. Keep up the good work. Don't let the political correctness of the politicians confuse the reality 99.9n percent of Americans support you.Semper Fidelis.

[Tom]

This letter is to appeal to your appalling news coverage of the May Day chaos. I would first like to tell you that the event was not permitted (This is Public Record). Meaning, they could not take over the streets as they did. You talk about the violation of rights? Well, what happened to the rights of the citizens that wanted to walk the side walk which was blocked? (My rights) Or drive on the street which was also blocked by the unlawful assembly. (My rights) Further, you say it was peaceful. Where? How? I saw the chaos on TV. Well, only the parts that they want to show us. Just like with Rodney King. They showed the whole tape in its entirety one time. Then they focused on the so called “BEATING”. Same thing here, we only get to see what they want us to see/or hear. I got an idea; focus on the news, instead of half truths that place a dimly lit light on the good guys to sell papers and air time. Of course people are going to buy papers to read about “POLICE MISCONDUCT”. And still you don’t know the laws and policies. Or if you do, you are not reporting it correctly so Joe Citizen can understand what truly happened.

I call out to the citizens of this state and city to stand up for what’s right. The head lines should read “Rioting, Stopped by the LAPD”. And we should be thanking them. I am also troubled by the reactions of the Police Chief and the Mayor. I did not see anything wrong with what had happened here. Fact; “The LAPD told them to leave “Unlawful assembly dispersal order”, and they did not. Fact; “They began to throw rocks and bottles (glass and plastic) at the police. Fact; “The police restored order from chaos! How do you all think this city got so bad in the first place? Society has found that putting the blame on the police is a good idea? This is unbelievable.

I would also like to comment on the media at the park. Are you nuts? Why in the world would you stand in the way of police officers telling you to leave? Why did you think that you were above the order? I don’t know about you, but my parents told me to always listen to the police. If you think the officer is wrong, right then and there was not a place to plead you case. And guess what, I never got shot (real bullets or rubber bullets). And I never got hit with a baton.

Did you see what happened to the poor business owner’s property last year at this event? Wilshire Bl was destroyed. All the windows were broken, news stands were smashed, and fires were set to the trash cans. Well, guess common sense should prevail as to why the police sent the disruptive group packing. Thank you LAPD, I don’t think you will hear that from too many people.

Sincerely,

Tom

[Tom]

Yes, I think we should carry smaller plastic batons. Wouldn't want to hurt a bad guy! I bet Mack would like that.

[Monica]

The organizers have some responsibility and accountability in this incident. When you see that many police officers the common sense thing to do is leave because trouble is brewing. It was their responsibility to tell the crowd in Spanish to leave and stop the rally. They failed to do so. AT 4pm the media was reporting the Mayor was expected to attend the rally. Since he is a supporter of immigrants rights wasn't it his duty and responsibility as well to go and calm the waters knowing touble was brewing? He failed to do so. Our police officers have been assaulted more this year then ever and when an officer dies in the line of duty they never get this much media coverage. The politicians need to stop making outrageous, emotional comments and step back. Allow the process to move forward with an investigation. The media is again being irresponsible and failing to report all the facts of officers being assaulted and injured. Is it any wonder why LAPD is finding it difficult to recruit when we live in a city where our heroes in blue are thrown under the bus before any investigation is completed? We support you LAPD. Hang in there!

[Clyde Moore]

This chief is a New York hack. Send him back to be will the Clintons. Many of the post here sound like old sad sacks from the 60's. Too bad, L A will turn out to be as sorry as San Franciso. It is already about as bad a Baghdad. Keep the cops from doing their job and it will be worse.

[dave]

I almost joined the LAPD. Same story with many others who see LAPD officers facing extremely high scrutinizing from the public they're trying to serve not to mention their own chief. I said "no thanks" to LAPD because the job is already hard enough. And we're wondering why we can't get recruits.

[LA ctzn]

For all those that say they did not hear any of the many dispersal orders tell your chief who condems all those police who were just doing what his command staff told them to do, to look at this video that repeatively shows that there were several orders to leave and people decided to stay and watch. http://www.buzznet.com/tags/lapd/video/239844/

[jeanne]

We pass laws. We ask police officers to enforce them. It isn't pretty at times but they are the ones doing this difficult work and they should be supported by those of us who want to walk the streets in safety. The riot on May Day was appalling. Illegal immigrants, out of control, waiving Mexican flags and demonstrating for rights they haven't earned is ludicrous. The fact that they were allowed to demonstrate at all is pretty amazing. Then to let it get so out of control that police resources were used to control is just dumb. Send them the bill.

[Arlene]

I'am on the side of the LAPD, I have seen these people in action at the protests I have been to. When you are asked to remove yourself you go the protestors nor the media moved. Then they throw rocks bottle and I understand urine. They should not have to put up with this. I have seen them keep their cool when these people are shouting they hate AMERICA and they hate AMERICANS, and defile the American flag by trying to burn it step on it and spit on it. These are not good candidates for American citizenship, and the police were in the right.

[Pete Malloy]

Just let them protest. Let them riot, let them do whatever they want. When they turn this City into TJ and nobody wants to live here anymore, they can blame themselves. When there is more trash in the road, no jobs or hospitals they can blame themselves. When crime happens and no cops show up because were tired of being second guessed, they can blame themselves. . .

[Manuel Arellano]

As we all agree theres always two sides to a story. After looking at those images countless of times thru spanish media broadcast it brings me anger to know that instead of fixing relations between our community of boyle heights with the police department the police department seems to further distants there selves from the trust of our community. Our march on May 1st was passive and if some demonstaters caused disturbances they should of been taken care of quickly and in a VERY proffesional manner instead, cops while wearing there uniforms with pride decided to beat inoccent protester that were with there families fighting for wat we stand were made to run with there children to avoid rubber bullets from hitting them now wat kind of police department is that instead of protecting our community members there doing the opposite furthermore, media personal were also brutalized, there cameras were thrown, beatend all because there were doing there job! This is no more than Racism! by our own city towards its own people! I hope that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa falls heavely on punishing those that were involved in giving orders that day and hopefully just hopefully he wont fail us as others have.

[Elizabeth Beckman]

The MacArthur Park disturbance was not our finest moment as Angelenos. I had such hope the morning of May 1st that this year would be different from the last, an improvement. By end of day I was heartbroken. It takes only one person, a single incident, to bring chaos and shame upon us all. What happens to the message in the mayhem?

The law enforcement in this town has earned my respect. I am thankful for the interest in an unbiased thorough investigation; please may it be so. I hope for all those eager to file suit against the LAPD, the Citizens of Los Angeles - that charges are brought against those who behaved criminally, disobeying orders, inciting and escalating the disturbance. To be sure, if people had followed orders, LAPD would not have used force, discharged even one weapon.

Next year let's not have media coverage. Coverage should not be the goal. If we have international media reporting, and they work differently at home. We need to educate them on American standards of news coverage as well as American law. The morning started quiet enough, too quiet perhaps,....for some.

I appreciate the contribution and efforts of Police Chief Bratton whose expertise, integrity and compassion on the job help me to have confidence an unbiased thorough investigation will be achieved. He took control and responsibility. What went wrong with the Department will be made right. It is only half, if that, of the story. Elected officials and activists who have already rushed to judgment only obstruct justice and provide little service to constituents.

[John McNary]

Good to see the KFI crowd found this blog.

[John McNary]

Jack Dunphy either has a convenient memory failure, or he is a liar.

Section 409.5 of the California Penal Code specifically exempts reporters from being ordered out of police lines.

[officer]

i am a police officer with l.a.p.d. i wasnt there that day, but i know most of the officers that were. i want to remind people about the may day rally last year. a l.a.p.d. officer last year was struck in the groin with a brick. he lost a testicle because of that. that incident did not get reported in the news. the mayor did not to my knowledge go visit that officer. the capt in charge of rampart..capt (now commander) mccarthy told rampart officers not to engage the protesters and the rioters (yes, there was a mini riot...vandalism of public and private property occured). is the moral of the story let the protesters run wild..and u get promoted? no bad press..you get promoted? doesnt matter that the men and women of lapd will have no respect for the leaders that want them to do their jobs, but only if that doesnt bring bad press to the chief. do more with less is what we hear all the time. bring the crime numbers down, but heaven forbid if we make the chief look bad. the incident commanders from this years may day protest event are all assigned home. too bad the chief wasnt at the event, maybe he would assign himself to home... yeah right..anybody know if he was even in town?

[Daryl]

I think it is a joke that if you are in this country illegal you can protest. I for one am sick of paying for health care, school, crime just so others can work here tax free and send their money back to the homeland. When police form a line everyone knows you do not break that line. The press for some reason thinks they have a free pass to do as they please. The press messed up and paided the price. I support the officers on the street who work hard to maintain the peace, and allow people to protest in a peacful manner. Its simple. An officer tells you to move back or out of an area you do it. I do think the Chief of Police should resign from his post. He sure doesnt back his officers. He made the comment that each officer will be looked at and will have action taken against them. What if i am a new officer taking orders from a P3 or a sargent? Do i disobey? By the Chief standards you do just that so why have a Chain of Command? How about the LAPD hire some people that can lead instead of throw the hard working street cop under the bus.

[Retired Cop]

The law states that police officers can use what ever force reasonable and necessary to prevent themselves from injury. Deadly force can be used to prevent GBI (great bodily injury) and/or death. There were many forms of violence and GBI used against the officers here.

But more specifically, the urine in itself has become a biological hazard (a form of bio warfare.) Which can be the cause GBI, whereas officers can contract;

• Hepatitis
• HIV, or
• TB (Tuberculosis.)

No officer shall ever allow that to happen. I do not know what the officers perceived when person of the media were struck. But it is possible that they were assisting the agitators, thus getting in the officer way of protecting themselves. The first part is the law. The later only speculation. Because it was not I behind the face shield.

I believe the chiefs’ premature comments were tantamount to Mayor Bradley back in 1992. When Bradley incited those riots.

Former Cop, Private Eye

[steve g.]

The Mayor said it was his best day ever.(May 1st 2006)last year. Why was he not here for this years illegal alien rally? Its because he knew what was going to happen so the L.A.P.D. would take the blame. Cheif Brattens contract is up for reveiw this year. hmmmmmm.

[David]

Well we are at it again... Let's blame the LAPD...AGAIN.. Because who else are we going to hold accountable??? The anarchists who show up and cause trouble?? Some people have a short memory, but last year and this year on the same day of the park gathering, there was a larger demonstration in Downtown and no incidents occurred.. That's because EVERYONE behaved and there was police presence.

MacArthur park started out peacefully until some of the crowd began to cause disobedience. The police quickly reacted before it got out of hand and put an end to it.

# 1 Just a quick reminder. The politicians and the public criticized the LAPD in 1992 during the riots when it crowd started out the same way by throwing rocks and bottles and quickly built up from there causing deaths and looting of business. They all said they police were not around, the police just stood by and let it get out of hand.

# 2 The UCLA incident few years ago.. The same thing, started out the same way where it led to burning of vehicles and so on.. Again the police were blamed for being lacks and doing nothing to stop it from getting worse.

# 3 Again the police were blamed when the Lakers won the World Championship few yrs ago where people caused damage and set a police car on fire.

Wow, how ironic, this was heading down the SAME PATH! Thanks to the LAPD they immediately put a stop to it and no, looting, no fires, no deaths occurred thanks to the quick reaction of the police. I know couple of people that attended the demonstration at the park. They said they heard the cops tell them that it was a "unlawfully assembly" or something like that and that they had to leave. Soon as they saw the cops line up and get in the park they left. They were no dummies... They did what they were tod to do so, not linger around and move at a pace of their choosing.

The Channel 11 lady Christine Gonzalez said that she never heard no dispersal order. I do believe her.. Here is why... I was watching the ch 5 news Thursday morning at 8 AM and it showed the cops walking across the street towards the park. Christine was in that footage clear as day running towards the park behind the officers. Obviously she was not at the park to hear that order. And obviously she ran in between the officers to end up in the park as the police cleared the park.

The law let's the media into disaster zones, but it does not let them hang out in a crime zone once it has been declared so. That means they have to leave like everyone else.

What is more disgusting than anything else are the patricians that came on TV the next day holding a news conference. There are no lower life people than they. If they can do a better job then maybe they should attend future demonstrations and the police should send them in and deal with the hostile crowd. If they are not willing to do so, then they showed just shut up and stand on the sidelines and not fuel the flames where there is no fire.

People should have a reasonable "good" fear of the police where they should follow orders when given by the police and not hang out and take there time in the park after being told to leave and confronting the police. This city and country is going down the drain and no one seems to care about it or take responsibility for their actions and not follow clear orders by the Police.

[Tom]

To you people that have been critical of the LAPD, did you see the polls? 95% of the US, thinks the LAPD did the right thing. Looks like you are of the minority again and again. Go figure, again. You people should be placed on your own island so you can act animals and jack things up for your selfs and not me. You are unsatisfactory citizens and will always be. Your children will be unsatisfactory because you won't encourage them to be better. Just enough, is good enough for you. Get all you can for nothing will be your motto. A darn shame.

[Guerrmo Manuel]

Anyone who defends the actions of the police at the assembly should be tarred and feathered along with the guilty officers. Here is the new joke I heard.

How do you tell when an LAPD officer is about to brutalize innocent civilians?

He puts his uniform on.

If the pro-police brutality whiners were being viciously attacked by KGB government forces, Oops I mean LAPD, these whiners would have plenty of sympathy, beginning and ending with their own case. Anyone who applauds the police for this action, do us all a favor, take your hammer and sickle flag and go live in Russia where they love the KGB

[Sam]

Why is the Mayor, other politicians and of course the news media condeming the actions of the police at the park without waiting for the results of an investigation?. The mayor it seems to me is a little too biased in his beliefs about illegal immigration. Not much is mentioned about the protestors wearing masks, why wear a mask if you are peacefull? I fear that we are seeing the begining of a revolutionary war.

[barb]

I too saw the first media clip before the media cut out segments that showed objects being thrown at the police officers. Our contstitutional laws allow "peaceful demonstrations" and when things start getting out of hand people should move away from it. From the media clip it looked like people were drawn to the 'frenzy'. Did they want to be on t.v.? and the camera people should've stayed clear too. Look at other countries and see how they treat their protesters? Our police are rather mild.
What are things coming too. We can't use the National Guard or the border patrol to protect our borders without going to jail and now this frivolous lawsuit. I hope it gets thrown out cause if it doesn't there will be more like it and police officers too will fear the consequences.
Do we have laws that protesters cannot sue the city, town etc? If there isn't there should be.

[George]

I don't know how a group of police can be more unprofessional.
Is it no wonder that many people have no respect for the LAPD.
If you want to win over the public, beating them and the media is certainly no way to do it.
I also love the Chief says the dept will investigate themselves for misconduct. This is like a criminal sentencing himself for his own misconduct.
Does any of this make any sense?
It doesn't to me.

[Lt. De La Torre]

Over the coming weeks, if not months, or years, much will be written and said about the events that took place at MacArthur Park on May 1, 2007. I encourage all of you to submit your comments, I only ask that you refrain from using profanity.

Chief Bratton and his staff are aware of the thoughts, concerns, and ideas you publish on this blog.

[Jeff]

I try to see both sides of an issue and to be open minded. As a result of their continuous inappropriate and irresponsible actions, here's the conclusion that I have come to in regards to allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the country for employment purposes, obtain drivers licenses, etc; absolutely not!

Your true colors have shown through and your mere presense is a detriment to the success and well being of our Nation.

I urge all Americans to vote "NO" when these immigration issues appear on ballots.

As for next year's May Day rally, invite INS in mass, have them stage their custody transportation buses at the site of the rally, and fill them up. Let them come to you.

[Frank]

Hey Chief.. Goood DUMB move.. Standing down-basically taking those officers involved in clearing and restoring normality before the city or neighborhood burned again off of the streets.

As a tax payer in this city i am fuming that hard no nonsense officer lost to the lawlessness that we see more and more..

Obviously its clear as day now that your backbone is not very strong. Which is a normality with politicians. Cuz all they care about is re-election and how much money they can make on the side through corruption without getting caught..

Is it just me or has this city and nation come to a boiling point where something is going to give. Tolerate and run scared from everyone who calls you racist or stand up and put your foot down and say enough is enough.

GROW SOME BACK BONE POLITICIANS, STOP THINKING JUST ABOUT RE-ELECTION AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. WE ALL KNOW WHAT YOU REALLY ARE THINKING, BUT JUST AFRAID LIKE A COWARD TO SAY IT ON TV.

[Derick]

I am not sure which is more stupid.. The Chief telling the officer from the park that basically they are not good enough to go back on the streets for now OR when EX- Nitemare Chief Parks ordering the destruction of all the gang books containing 1,000's of pictures of documented gangmembers used to solve crimes in photo lineups.

If i was a metro officer that was out there i would go back to handling radio calls.. see the man ..see the woman.. Nothing less and nothing more.. Now you know for a fact the Chief and the liberal city officials are not there to back you. Because it's not in their best interest..All i hear is 99.99 percent blame on the officers. Not much on how the people at the park had no common sense and did not move when being told by the police.. Its a 2-way street politicians..Enough hammering the officers who were doing there job.. It;s getting old and sick to watch this nonsense on TV everyday.. GET REAL!!!

[John]

I fully support LAPD. People who are illegal have already broken our laws.What is it our politicians don't get? They have no rights!!! I have a great idea for next year...the police should boycott the next mexican rally and let the mayor and police chief run the show.I'd even be there to see that.

[Jennie]

I'm a simple person so I'll keep it simple. I'm a first generation Mexican-American. I was raised to stay out of trouble and respect law enforcement. I don't drink, never even had a speeding ticket, and have never thrown any objects at a police officer. I stay away from places there might be trouble and if I feel a situation is getting out of hand, I leave. I've been to immigration rallies where the protestors were peaceful so the cops were peaceful. It is simple folks, don't create a situation where cops have to break it up and then things can't get out of hand. Thanks to those that started the trouble in the first place, there will be a backlash against the entire movement. Don't believe me, the majority of the comments I am hearing in the general public outside of the media have been negative towards all Mexican Immigrants. It hurts me to hear so much hate especially when so many immigrants are law abiding, hard working people just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families.

I also believe in innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately ,every LAPD officer that was out there has now been found guilty by the media, mayor, and police chief. Did some officers get out of hand? Not my place to determine that. Normally if they did an investigation would reveal that and the proper people disciplined but it doesn't matter in this case, all the officers are now considered thugs. I understand that there are bad officers just as there are bad protestors, bad members of the media, and bad politicians. So very sad for the such a great city. Sad for the city but good for those of us that live outside of the city. Every department I can think of is having trouble recruiting officers. Recuits will go elsewhere as will good officers looking for departments that back their people. I suggest heading east a few dozen miles. You will be welcomed with open arms.

Finally, I have always had very positive contact with the L.A.P.D. and will continue to support them. I don't believe as some people posting are saying that the LAPD hates Mexicans. Heck, Fiesta Broadway was packed again this year and like usual the officers were all friendly and walked around watching the event. I saw or heard nothing negative by the officers towards anyone in attendance. I travel to L.A. quite often and feel safe because of such a great department. Great men and women who everyday put their lives on the line for the citizens and visitors of L.A.

[Vincent]

When a police officer is injured or killed on the job due to a shooting the named suspect is always prefaced by the word 'ALLEGED'. Funny thing happened on the way to the media's victimization party - judge, jury and executioner. Hang em’ at high noon is what they want.

But I'm an American and I will wait for the justice process to take its course before I make a decision on the guilt or innocence of officers that put their lives on the line every single day. This is especially true for Metro officers that daily go after the baddest of the bad- the killers, rapist, child molesters and drug traffickers. I think that this gives them the right for us to withhold judgment.

If it’s proven that some acted out of policy, then they will face the consequences. But as a democratic society, the greater L.A. community and the media have failed miserably in what it means to be an American. And I’m ashamed of what we have become.

One other thing, I got stuck in traffic on Pico Blvd. today west of Robertson. The streets were closed due to a religious holiday parade. No officer was abused either verbally or with flying objects. And interestingly enough – no one got hurt. Not the media, not the spectators, not the participants – NO ONE. You know why? – because everybody there acted like a decent American. Period.

[Scott]

I have seen the video that is on the news. My question is how much more video is on the tape that we do not see. Someone already tried to race base this action by bringing up Rodney King. I fully support what happened to Rodney King after seeing the complete video. The man was a stoned out of control, feeling no pain criminal.
Now this is not The Rodney King case. This is about illegals in this country. I think in outrageous that we allow them to demonstrate in the first place. They are not covered under the constitution. They are here illegally. Can I gather 100+ people and go into Mexico to hold a demonstration. We would probably be shot with real bullets and not bingbags.
The main point here is that this demonstration was allowed until something went wrong. It is not up to the press showing only partial footage to make the determination of what happens with fine police officers in this country. It seems that something like this happens that the people doing thier job suffer. This is due to usually 20 min of video being cut to the most devestaing 20 seconds of video. We are only trying to pacify the media's take. After Rodney King and the riots. We have become scared to give bad perception to the public. We need leaders to stand up to this kind of actions by criminals. If the investigation really shows no wrong doing. We nned to hear that. If a riot was to start, we need to see a stand for that. We nned a no prisoners taken stance on riots. I saying martual law for riot participants. This will cause the next event not to cause a riot. This will also put the police and courts in charge of the investigations. Not the media causeing undo public perception.
I fully support legal immigration. If someone wants to arrive to this country legally that is fine. After a visa visit it is time to go home. If you make it here on a visa then work on citizanship during that stay. Otherwise, one the visa has expired, or you jumped the fence. You are not convered under our laws. I firmly feel that the illegals should be consider enemy combadants. No they are not trying to cause war. They are taxing on my federal dollars. All states recieve some amount of federal monies. This is for interstate and medicare medicaid along with many other grants. That means illegals effect us all regardless of the state you live in. If we consider them enemy combadants then prison them in gerneral population at a maximum security state prison for six months. Then deport them. They will not want to come back illegally. We all know what happens in prison.
This would stop the illegal bull if the humanitarian culture of America would sit down. Too many of these Humanitarian types want to help. What usually gets help from these groups are people outside of the USA. The main one being helped is the starter of the group.
Wake up America. If Americans do not stand up. We may as well be ready to speak Spainish in all our schools. We also need to be ready for Criminals take over the court system by intimidation. Oh, that is already happening.

[Ed O'Shea]

Fellow Law abiding Los Angelenos there is only ONE way we are going to take our city back from the Anti American crowd! And that's VOTE this "former" gang member Mayor and these criminally negligent city counsel members OUT of office! And make illegal voting an issue in the elections, because, I'm sorry who other than an illegal ALIEN with NO education is going to vote for a hack like Fabien Nunez and the rest of these cronies?VOTE these fools OUT!!!!!!!
By the way, NO WHERE in the California Penal Code 409.5 PC does it give the OK to the media to actively participate in a route or criminal activity, NO WHERE! And seeing that camera woman in a cast and neck brace after the little contact from the Officer clearly shows her ambulance chasing mentality! The Officer barley touched her and she is acting for the camera and that's it! PATHETIC! 60 Officers are BENCHED FOR DOING THEIR JOBS! Our Chief is a weak political HACK lead by an incompetent Mayor, city counsel and Police commission! Los Angeles, we are in DEEP trouble with these people in charge running a muck! They couldn't find reality with a map and a GIANT X on the spot! Bratton should kiss the Homeland Security job good bye, that he is bucking up for from Billary Clinton, that he didn't get from his boy John Kerry! His old boss Rudy (we know how they get along) or Mitt Romney is going to be the next President so how about staying in town for a minute and defending your city and Police Department! Just once! Be your own MAN for 30 seconds and not some lap dog.

Stay Safe Warriors, we have a LONG Road ahead!

Ed O'Shea

PS: though quite a few Good Officers will leave the Department for a city and leaders that will back them and treat them correct!

[JB]

I write this as a warning to all officers of the LAPD. Pray to God you are not involved in potentially controversial use of force or event in this City. Our Chief will sell you down the river if it in his political interest. His pandering to the Mayor and special interest groups is shameful and disheartening. Has he ever heard of due process? He condemns and judges before all the facts are in. He continues to grovel and kneel before the mayor and the media, begging for his political future. Meanwhile he is stabbing his officers in the back. He has sold his soul and I for one will never forgive him.

I wonder if the department has anybody investigating and trying to indentify the rioters that assaulted our officers? How about placing blame where it belongs?

[st. louis metro p.d.]

I've got two words for the LAPD if this clown you have for a chief tries to screw these guys! BLU FLU!!!

The same thing happened in a sH&^ neighborhood ( Over the Rhine) in Cincinnati a while back and the dept. was gonna try and screw everyone and bow to the powers that be and the guys on the street basically pulled out and let the turds have it!!! After about a month of the crime rate tripleing especially homicides the good citizens came back on their hands and knees begging the police to come on back.

[David]

What is going to happen next time? The LAPD is in a very tough place, if they do nothing and people and property are damaged then it's the police's who let it happen. If they go in and use any force it is on them again. I think they can't win.

Shame on the mayor and the Chief. When La burn's look in the mirrow to see who is to blame.

[Dave]

I wanted to thank the LAPD for upholding the laws of the land. There is no difference between breaking into a country or breaking into someone’s house or business. Either way you are there illegally and there should be consequences.

[TB]

I am obviously in the minority here. This is not fair to the police officers. Are they supposed to just stand there and let people throw rocks and bottles at them? Policemen and women are treated like total crap in this country...no one has any respect for law enforcement or our government...no one in authority is given even a modicum of respect.

It makes me ashamed of this country. Whenever any law enforcement officer has to actually use force to control a criminal, THEY get criticized! That makes no sense at all to me! And you wonder why there is a shortage of police officers in the U.S.? Who wants to do that job if you get treated this way for doing your job? Just because this is America and we have more rights than any other country, people seem to think they can do whatever they want, even assault a police officer, and they have a right to get away with it. No wonder we have such high crime rates...

To quote ron who posted above, I agree with you 100%:

"I absolutely support the LAPD men and women who were out there, on the front lines - especially
considering the obscene and disruptive nature of the rally, and its ungrateful participants. The over-zealous "media" was inciteful and prohibitive.

The dept. heads need to send the message that peacekeepers are to be respected for their position - to message by example a show of support.

The irony is incredible!
Law breakers demanding their rights by breaking the law - LAW KEEPERS being made the criminals!

What a shame....

WHAT A SHAME INDEED!

[Greg Blake]

John Mack should be ashamed of himself with his comments. Just two years ago he was protesting LAPD and has continued to have a bias against the dept. and its officers. Many residents in this city and the Daily News have stated he should have never be appointed to the police commission. John Mack hosted a fundraiser for a twice convicted felony criminal Martin Ludlow and the public is suppose to think he's someone who can judge our officers. The Mayor, Fabian Nunez, Reyed, Huizar and the rest of the moron politicans need to understand the illegal immigration problem in LA is their fault. This city will soon become a sanctuary. How depressing to know LA supports people who break the law before its police officers without results of an investigation. Next time there is a demonstration LAPD should call in sick.

[Jeff]

Lt,

I have heard from an inside source that the Chief made a statement directed to the FBI, something to the effect of, "If there are not indictments on officers (plural), you are not doing your jobs"

Can you confirm that the Chief made this or a similar statement?

[MacArthur Park is Melting in the Dark]

Chief Bratton, your statements in the press yesterday leave me with more questions than answers. I hope the public who wanted answers in less than thirty days are satisfied with the sound bites they heard, but I am not. Why do you think you can find the truth in reviewing and re-reviewing media footage? How about interviewing real people who were there? Where is the commander who gave the orders that day? Why isn’t s/he coming forward to explain and accept responsibility for the actions of his/her officers? Do you think just because Barry Levin is in Heaven that you, Commissioner Mack and those attorneys advising you are going to let you pull Dalton Street all over again? Some of us have memories longer than a sound bite. Somewhere there is an honest and able litigator who is not sucking at the government tit who will advocate for the officers in this situation. Perhaps you will want to suggest to the mayor that he arrange green cards for the latest job that no body wants; LAPD officer. Since the Mayor’s trip south of the border indicates he feels this city can partner with governments who allow police corruption as the norm, perhaps he would like for you to hire their officers. Certainly if we can hire Mexican nationals to teach school in the Palmdale School District, we can hire foreign nationals as police officers. I hope the disgust I am feeling is coming through in my words. Your officers do not deserve blame. You are receiving some bad advice, and if the city is paying for it, perhaps the Council should consider a cost study to determine if it is time to contract with LASD for police services and save the cost of one lumbering and ineffective bureaucracy while retaining the finest police officers in the world. I appreciate the timing of this debacle is bad for you personally, but just like you expect officers to stand up to their superiors if given an order that is wrong, I expect you to stand up to the Police Commission in support of your rank and file officers, and to hold your management staff accountable for the decisions they make. That is what your officers deserve.

[Lt. De La Torre]

Jeff,
I would have no way of knowing whether Chief Bratton made a statement like you allege. However, in my humble opinion I do not believe he would ever make such a statement.

[Gabe]

Over the years I've been a supporter of the LAPD and generally think it is a model urban police department. But I am bewildered at the tactical response here. Also I'm bewildered at some of the posts by the regular visitors to this board; these visitors, who apparently are LAPD officers, seem to think that immigrants have a lesser First Amendment right to participate in protests, but that is not the law in this country. Also I don't get the beatings of reporters or other members of the press. I know, a lot of you guys hate reporters and don't like to get photographed when you're clubbing somebody, but really, Metro's behavior resembled the Chicago Police Department of 1968. I'm sorry, to all you who have defended the police conduct here, but it was a very poor representation of who you are and who you can be, and you really ought to look at it as the embarrassment that it is.

[Centurion]

Hey can somebody tell Chief Bratton that the 37mm with the foam projectiles are for dispersing a crowd, not to effect an arrest. That is why there were so many used.

It's funny how the Chief Bratton found it shockng that there were so many used and no arrest made. If you read the training order on the 37mm you would see it used to disperse a crowd and prevent suspects from launching rocks and bottles.

Also, I made several attempts to look up any Penal Code or Dept Policy regarding media being exempt from a dispersal order has been given. So far I found none and here is a cut and paste of 409PC, 409-Every person remaining present at the place of any riot, rout, or unlawful assembly, after the same has been lawfully warned to disperse, except public officers and persons assisting them in attempting to disperse the same, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Nowhere in the Penal code states the media is exempt. Also there was a safe zone for the media to be, however, they deiced to be in the front line.

[midwestgal]

To all you RACIST on here with your RACIST comments, YOU are what's wrong with AMERIKA!!! First of all not every person in McArthur Park was from Mexico and therefore was not Mexican. Educate yourselves before posting something so stupid!
Jeff, you wrote:
" Also, keep this in mind for your next rally; when the police (policia) say that your party and excuse to not go to work is over and that you must leave, take heed and do so. Quickly finish your Tecate, gather up your mess, dispose of it in the nearest trash receptacle, and take all of your mijos and mijas by the hand and head back to your pink and green, 700 sq ft homes that you share with your 15 other family members. If you fail to do so you now know what is coming for you...bad things!"
You should be ashamed, but I am sure that you are not! RACISM, alive and well in the good ol USA!

[Juan Estevan Chavez]

LAPD Thank you for protecting my park and people against the criminals and what would have been a riot on May Day!!! I was there and I heard the warning given over and over, and over by the helocopter! And it was as clear as day every time! There were even police officers in their cars, on the loud speakers giving the warning in spanish. I heard it and the press should be ashamed of themselves for the way they acted and continue to act. I am sorry that I voted for this mayor and will never vote for him again, he has shamed my people by not condeming the people at fault and instead condeming the police that were just doing their jobs. Thank you to rampart LAPD for saving us from these vicious criminals. And shame on you chief Bratton, SHAME ON YOU!!!!! I will pray for all of the police officers injured on May Day and the rest of the LAPD for keeping me and my family safe!

[Bob Feliciano]

I have read most of the posting and have listened to the news media’s account of the police action on May 1st in Macarthur Park, but know one seems to being address a real concern of mine. If you were asked to describe what you saw on that day with just one word what would that word be.
Today during one of my classes I asked my students to describe what they saw using just one word and they unanimously agreed that the proper word was "criminal." These are young folks attending a community college with aspirations of one day becoming police officers, including students who goal is to join LAPD. No matter how we slice it if these officers would have been civilians attacking innocent people and members of the media they would be charged with crimes.
I know many will say hey, all the facts are not in yet, to them I ask if you see criminal assaults what more do you need.
I don’t want the officers prosecuted but if they lost control in that environment I would like to see them enter a new profession they do not deserve to wear the badge of LAPD.

[Centurion]

John McNary,

Hey if you re-read Penal Code Section 409.5(a) Whenever a menace to the public health or safety is created by a calamity including a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, explosion, accident, or other disaster, officers of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, police departments, marshal's office or sheriff's office, any officer or employee of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection designated a peace officer by
subdivision.

Nohwhere it says an Unlawful Assembly were a deispersal order has been given the Media is exempt. this section is about a Disaster Area.

Penal Code Section 409.5(d) States Nothing in this section shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service, newspaper, or radio or television station or network from entering the areas closed pursuant to this section.

The media again is not exempted from a Dispersal Order. They are allowed to enter a disaster area. Jack Dunphy had it right.

[officer]

the fbi should clean their own house, before they come knocking on ours.

i bet bratton is counting the minutes until the 2008 presidential election...

[Retired Cop]

We need to hold tops cops accountable. Rather than always beat up on the boots in the street. And that their always `blame shifting.'

Well today I never thought I'd ever agree with the words of LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Today I heard him say "were not gonna shift the blame down the chain of command. The accountability goes o the top."

Consequently LAPD Dep Chief Carter was demoted today. And another Dep Chief was transferred.

As I said two weeks ago on this list. The cops in the street work in an uncontrolled environment. Where the brass works in the ivory
tower. Therefore the top Cops should make fewer mistakes.
-------------------------
By ANDREW GLAZER
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES
The highest ranking police official at the scene of a violent May 1
clash between officers and people at an immigration rally last week
was demoted Monday and his second-in-charge was reassigned, Police
Chief William Bratton said.

Deputy Chief Cayler "Lee" Carter Jr., commanding officer of
Operations Central Bureau, was demoted to the rank of commander and
assigned to his home. Cmdr. Louis Gray was move to a post in the
Office of Operations.

http://www.kfwb.com/pages/423881.php?contentType=4&contentId;=472037

[john]

The area for the rally should have been blocked off. To get into this rally one should have had to show a valid US picture ID. If you didnt have one, ICE would have then taken that person away. There is no way an illegal alien should have the same rights as a US citizen. GO HOME!

[TONY]

60 Metro guys on the desk?? Chief you are a political puppet!!!

[L.A. Resident]

Too many of you are talking about immigration and the police use of excessive force in the same sentence, try not to confuse the two issues.

Also the police were not beating on the few people who threw rocks and bottles at them. They were beating, older women and men and shooting rubber bullets into a crowd of families.

The last time I checked the various news reporters and camera men who were pushed and beat on camera are not illegal immigrants. Do you red-necks think cops have the right to beat anybody they feel like it just because they can not control their emotions?

This was obviously over-zealous men (police) who could not control their testosterone or themselves. I as a citizen of this country expect the Police to have a higher one moral and ethical character than your average citizen on the streets. If you became a cop because you are a bully or a thug then I do not want you as a Police officer in my city. Any lay person can see by just watching the news footage that some cops lost control of their emotions. If this was the highly trained Metro division, I would hate to see how a lesser trained division would respond to a situation. If you see a bank robber fleeing a bank you do not shoot indiscriminately into the street because the bank robber is fleeing the scene of the crime. You have to use discretion and intelligence and you training to use the appropriate tactics.

Any Police officer has to use a level of force based on the threat level, you would not treat a 90 year old lady the same as a 25 year old 250 lb man who is threatening you. We all have common sense if you see somebody is walking away you do not need to swing a club at his knees. You do not need to pick a fight when somebody is walking away, this is common sense, also you do not need to throw a camera man to the ground and then pick up his camera and throw it to the ground, this is also common sense. These things do not require special training just common sense.

And yes I know that not every police officer in the LAPD is responsible for the bad conduct of a few. But I as a citizen I will not accept or condone the conduct of a few out of control police officers. Chief Bratton is correct, if you screw up on your job their must be consequences. Being a police officer does not excuse or exempt you from doing the job your management expects and asks of you. I know being a Police officer is difficult job, but you are still responsible for your actions.

I am sure there are policemen who believe there are terrible school teachers still on the job who are protected by their union and tenure, well the same can happen to a terrible policeman protected by their union.

Los Angeles Resident

[L.A. Resident]

Ed O'Shea said .............

15 of my fellow Warriors were injured during these animals inability to behave, I hope you'll all be ok, and job well done in holding the line. This city owes you greatly for not allowing the thugs to get out of hand!

**************

Ed you are NOT "warriors" you are Police officers, you sound like a thug youself. I wonder how many other Police have this "warrior" mentality like you do. It is this "warrior" attitude that probably caused some of you police officer to come under scrunity and criticism.

And most demonstrators which the police shot and struck are not "animals" as you refer to them. If your oficers were having problems with a small group than you should have arrested that small group. You did not go after the "animals" as you describe. Why weren't these animals arrested?

I think you should retire to a different job, if the job is casusing you this much HATRED and stress it is time to move on to something else.

[Elizabeth Beckman]

I know the one thing I can't expect of anyone, anything anytime is perfection.

Where do you draw the line? Participating in a March/a Rally is one thing...activists encouraging confrontation, "civil" disobedience is another. This event appears to have had both. Attending the former, I'd bring my Grandparents, my children; with the latter, aware of the risks, I would not. Poor planning? and on whose part?

A very good point was made here. Law enforcement walks a fine blue line. They take any action to restore the peace they are critized. They take no action, they are likewise critized for not protecting the public from ensuing injury and property loss. Worse still, as American citizens with the same unalienable rights as the rest of us, they are vilified for defending themselves threatened with bodily harm.

People need to remember that (and the Golden Rule.)

[DT]

I am an LAPD OFFICER and proud to be such. I will not let the mass misinformed, misguided, and uneducated people who are anti-police and anti-American, sabotage the pride that the men and women of this Department have each and every day we go out and patrol the streets of L.A.

But how much more can we take of the lack of support from our very own Chief and Mayor?

I just wanted to thank those of you who have voiced your conerns, appreciation, and support for LAPD Officers. Are there tactical aspects to reexamine as far as the events in Mac Arthur Park? Of course...such is the case with every tactical operation. But as our Mayor has said repeatedly in his pandering and uninformed comments, "Make no Mistake about it..." Well Mr. Mayor, make no mistake about this... I was front in center on one of many help calls put out by officers taking hits from glass bottles and rocks, both from the streets and from high rise apartment buildings which look down on to Alvarado.

People attacking officers who were there to maintain law and order after the Police Commission decided not to issue aa permit for this protest and march. Why was the permit denied? And when it was denied, why are we looking don on officers instructed to maintain law and order.

I want to assure you, that what took place from a law enforcement perspective was legitimate and necessary based on real threats to our personal safety and to the safety of the community which I saw first hand, including people who attempted to rush officers in order to injure us. Especially troubling was the glass bottle which landed about a foot away from me.

Seeing the video footage shows 30 seconds of what was a 6 hour operation. It's like watching 30 seconds of the middle of a sporting event, not knoing who won or loss, and claiming to have a firm grasp on what wook place in the game. But standing where I stood, it depicts the end result of what needed to take place to protect and restore order.

I know many of our City Council and the mayor are former attorneys. Pick up the Bill of Rights and review the core concepts of due process.

On one last note...the last time I checked, Metropolitan Division is assigned to provide AROUND the CLOCK security and protection to the Mayor and Chief both at work and at their residences, also protecting their families. In light of their comments, I wonder if they have renounced such protective details.

[v]

HA HA....oh Im sorry. Now are we ready to listen to these officers. LT. did I not try to warn everybody. Pull the transcripts!! Well you knew something like this would pull me out of the woods to comment. I want to know where is all those people that were commenting before when this blog first started... I dont see them. I see a bunch of pissed off citizens and they dont even know half of it. Well LT. tell the Chief this "THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES"

[Retired Army Lieutenant]

Why is it that every time the Police have a lapse of good judgement while on duty, they tell us how they are protecting us from evil and we should be thankful and we must forgive them?

There was no massive riot about to take place at Mc Arthur Park on May 1. ,I was there and the majority of people there were not causing any type of disturbance. The police had undercover officers in the crowd to watch for any disruptive people. There were a small group of young people (maybe anarchists) intent on provoking the police. But the other 99.9% of the people were not involved in any type of unlawful or unruly conduct.

I think it is very funny how so many people who were not present make there assesment from the peanut gallery. Anyone that was there will tell you that at no time was there there a hint of a riot or even a hint of problems.

The police should know how to handle a few problem young people and not just use a a large group of riot police to intimidate, provoke, and beat otherwise peaceful participants in a rally.

This was a shameful exhibit by the LAPD, a few officers managed to bring shame to so many fine officers in the police department. I had rubber bullets flying by me as I was trying to leave the area as fast as possible. I am 60 years old and I use crutches, never in my life have I been so angry about the way I was treated by the LAPD. The LAPD did not consider that there were many senior citizens, women and children in the park. Many people talk about the helicopter giving orders to evacuate the park, well the helicopter and the police were clearing the park only seconds apart. There was not enough time or adequate notice given to anybody in the park. I heard the helicopter and seconds later heard police firing into the crowd. These are the facts from someone present in the park, and not a second hand account as most of you here are giving.

I do not understand why any police officer would defend his fellow officers just because he is also a police officer. Why do so many police oficers have the attitude that they must defend each other not matter what the situation. The police are just like every other person in society, if you make a big mistake you will must be held accountable for you actions. If we give you a badge that does not give you the right to intimidate, violate or hurt me. I was very fortunate that I was not injured by the LAPD random shots into the crowd.

What I saw were a bunch of police acting like the thugs they claim were at the McArthur park. I have lost much respect for the LAPD, I never expected to be treated in this manner. I am 70 years old and served in the army for 20 years. I am a proud american but you the police officers at McArthur Park brought shame onto yourselves and your department.

What type of training did your "elite" metropolitain divison receive, I did not see any professioanlism on May 1, 2007.

Just like in the Army I had orders given to me by commnanders who were also under the command of elected officials. I think many of you need to go back to school and learn the basic principles of our goverment. There may be army generals who do not agree with the president, but he is the elected official who is the ultimate commander and chief.

And I also have to remind you that you are civil service employees of the citizens of Los Angeles, if you do not like the rules imposed by the Chief of Police and the Mayor of Los Angeles then we do not need you serving our citizens. This is not a police state where you get to make the rules, we live in a representative democracy where elected officials are your boss, like it or not.

Retired Army Lieutenant

[You're an idiot]

Shut the hell up!!!!!

[LAPD Supporter]

Hey Ron, Guillermo and the others sooo disgusted with the LAPD's behavior I pose you this question. What would you do if someone tossed frozen bottles of liquid (God knows what the liquid is) and other blunt objects at you?

I wonder if in reality you might be part of the anarchist mentality. No one received more than a few strikes from any officer's baton. No broken bones. No cracked skulls. Simply put the officers reacted only when the protest became a "let's see how we can hurt the cops" fest.

As for all the KGB and Nazi references I can see you have not really experienced what a true police state is. If this were a communist state those rioters would have been shot with real bullets and arrested to face God knows what horrors.

I find it curious why other police departments like LA county Sheriffs with a long history of being even more brutal than the LAPD don't seem to get as much attention? I hope the LAPD is disbanded so all you happy whiners can find out what it's like to really get your head kicked in. Life will be much more interesting then. LASO tells you once to get out of the way and then just runs you over after that. God help you all if you have to deal with the Deputies of the LA County Sheriff's Department because Sheriff Baca couldn't give a crap how much you all complained.

I for one support lawful and peaceful assemblies. It seperates from the commies. Just remember when the criminals tearing up the city it's a COP who will save you regardless of what your opinions mught be of you.

By the way this National Police Week. I suggest you look up the websites of the National Police Officer's Memorial and Officer Down webpages so you can see what these brutal and cowardly people do. THEY WILL DIE FOR YOU IF NEED BE!!!!

[Officer "X" (witheld for fear of retaliation)]

As a veteran Officer of this City, I am disgusted with how weak this current leadership is. Chief I was one of your longest supporters when most had doubts and for once I must say, it was I who was wrong.

You were so fast to act without even possibly receiving all the facts. I guess it is true within the LAPD, "You are guilty until proven innocent". I knew what we were getting with this mayor and then police commission so I can at least say I knew what was to come. But for you there was so much hope and I can say we all are let down. With all three of those types of powers in place, it’s going to be a sad time for Officers of all ranks and just as importantly the citizens of this city.

I can not respect nor have faith in leaders without a spine. True leaders lead from the front without throwing his subordinates to the wolves to deflect some of the heat. This is especially upsetting when you make your decision on public and media opinion without all the facts. If you were to lead me into battle that may be the day I may have to hang up my badge. If for what ever reason I may unfortunately fall to an injury (whether on duty or not), please do me a favor and not show up to which ever hospital I may be healing at. You will not be welcomed. I know you do not know who I am. I have been around a while and know how the “retaliation” is when any LAPD employee does something that may anger the “LAPD Gods”. The motto here is true, “You may when the battle, but we will make sure you lose the war”. Don’t worry though; I feel the same way about the mayor. And if he was to come visit me too I would demand him to leave too. Hey if you both come together, you both can leave hand in hand, since you both seem so close now. It will be then you will know who wrote this comment. I’m willing to bet many more officers feel the same way, though they too will not advertise because of the same worries.

This has set back LAPD to an extent that can’t even be fathomed. There was always a concern about leaders being afraid to make crucial decisions, now you gave them the reason to fear them. Get ready for the riots or similar incidents like after the Lakers championship because I can see orders to restrain and “let the fires die out” than taking a proactive role and ending things before they get out of control. I don’t see the powers to be being anxious to put their necks out on the line again. After all it is this administration that will not hesitate to sacrifice its lambs to ease the burden and appear unstained with blood. It’s moments like these that I am glad I am no longer a citizen of this city. I have moved far beyond and don’t ever plan on residing here again. I feel bad for most of the citizens here, some my childhood friends. My only advice is, if you can move beyond the city boundaries, do so ASAP.

Its times like these, when (and I stress when) the time comes this city will be tested with moments like the past, and you have a beaten down department without the support of its “leaders”.

I’m curious if this comment gets posted, no worries, its copied and will be sent to other outlets. The only difference is on other outlets it will be titled, “This wouldn’t get posted on LAPD’s Blog because they didn’t like what I had to say about the truth from within LAPD”.

P.S. - I read somewhere that it was overheard from the Chief's (Bratton) own mouth that he told the Feds that if there were no indictments, they didn’t do their job. Can someone please verify? Although there are no facts to this yet, its sad that it’s something that I can imagine be said. And I venture to say, I am not the minority in believing this. What hope does anyone have to have a fair decision when the cards are set against you? Its like you are on trial for murder and about to be sentenced to death, and the judge and jury has already made their decision prior to even hearing any facts.

This chief is the true master of illusion. You don’t believe me; look how he has managed to make the crime stats look extremely favorable. Why don’t you ask this magician how he does his tricks? You will get one answer, but ask his hired hands behind stage, and maybe they will tell his secrets. That’s ok though. If I’m correct of what’s going to happen in the future? Even this illusionist can’t conjure up magic that trick the public. Remember, you can trick some of the public all the time. You can trick all of the public some of the time. But you can’t trick all of the people all of the time.

Be safe out there brothers and sisters. It’s going to be a tough one for awhile.

Officer “X”

[Eric Lund]

I can not fault the LAPD police officers for what appears to be the use of their only E-T-D (educate-train-deploy) standard, apparently an old standard.

As determined by the news media there is a new E-T-D standard. And yet the news media does not make determination of fact of E-T-D TO NEW OR OLD standard before blaming the any of the police officers for doing anything wrong FOR WHAT I CAN NOT SAY WAS PROVEN BY THE NEWS MEDIA TO BE WRONG ACCORDING TO LAPD MOST CURRENT E-T-D standard. How did the news media make that mistake?

I understand that the psyche of the whole LAPD has been irreparably injured by the news media by no determination of standard. Police are also innocent until proven guilty. It would not be the first time something lawful look unusual or wrong (i.e. use of force after the infamous high speed chase (in San Diego area) in 1994 or so).

Suppose the event organizers who performed the rally were so in command and control of their event that NOTHING (TV media, other area) COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT PERSISTENTLY MAINTIAINING A CLEAR DELINEATION PERRIMETERS AND PERSONS (no infiltrators) without (attempting) arrest.

[K STONE/LOVESLALEOS]

Dear Officer X, I hear you. I hear it in the voices of officers and deputies all over the county. The pain of betrayal is the worst pain of all. I have felt it, too, everyday since the most beautiful human being I have ever known fell victim to officer suicide. I feel his spirit, and that of my friend Barry Levin, and so many others; and it is why I try, in my lost little way, to encourage all of you not to give up. There is more power and beauty and love in each one of you than in your entire organization as a whole. It is not what you do or don't do, it is who you are on the inside that makes that true. I beg you not to be seduced by despair, but cling to hope beyond all intellect that love will prevail. This will be a world which works for everyone in our time. Someone told me once "when you cannot change anything else, you can change your perspective." Perhaps now would be a good time to renew bonds with family and friends, to share food and laughter, to get enough sleep, and to play and create through art and music. Not that it will change anything: I just want you to know that I love each and every one of you beyond reason, in good times and in bad, joined with you in mind so there is never a time you are truly alone. You and your families are always in my thoughts and my incessant prayers for your peace and joy and comfort. Yr friend,

[Eric Lund]

I can not fault the LAPD police officers for what appears to be the use of their only E-T-D (educate-train-deploy) standard, apparently an old standard.

As determined by the news media there is a new E-T-D standard. And yet the news media does not make determination of fact of E-T-D TO NEW OR OLD standard before blaming the any of the police officers for doing anything wrong FOR WHAT I CAN NOT SAY WAS PROVEN BY THE NEWS MEDIA TO BE WRONG ACCORDING TO LAPD MOST CURRENT E-T-D standard. How did the news media make that mistake?

I understand that the psyche of the whole LAPD has been irreparably injured by the news media by no determination of standard. Police are also innocent until proven guilty. It would not be the first time something lawful look unusual or wrong (i.e. use of force after the infamous high speed chase in 1994 or so).

Suppose the event organizers who performed the rally were so in command and control of their event that NOTHING (TV media, other area) COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT PERSISTENTLY MAINTIAINING A CLEAR DELINEATION PERRIMETERS AND PERSONS (no infiltrators) without (attempting) arrest.

[X-girl]

While we're wondering about the "spin" that Bratton puts on things, how about someone look into the timeline between Berkow getting the Savannah Chief job, and the lawsuit being filed regarding his inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. The timing of his move just has always seemed way to coincidental...seems like the powers that be knew this storm was coming and made sure to get him out of town before it did.

And "X"...another good department motto is also "no good deed goes unpunished"...

[Eric Lund]

I can not fault the LAPD police officers for what appears to be the use of their only E-T-D (educate-train-deploy) standard, apparently an old standard.

As determined by the news media there is a new E-T-D standard. And yet the news media does not make determination of fact of E-T-D TO NEW OR OLD standard before blaming the any of the police officers for doing anything wrong FOR WHAT I CAN NOT SAY WAS PROVEN BY THE NEWS MEDIA TO BE WRONG ACCORDING TO LAPD MOST CURRENT E-T-D standard. How did the news media make that mistake? It would not be the first time something (in the media) lawful look unusual or wrong (i.e. use of force after the infamous high speed chase in 1994 or so).

I understand that the psyche of the whole LAPD has been irreparably injured by the news media by no determination of standard. Police are also innocent until proven guilty.

Suppose the event organizers who performed the rally were so in command and control of their event that NOTHING (TV media, other area) COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT PERSISTENTLY MAINTIAINING A CLEAR DELINEATION PERRIMETERS AND PERSONS (no infiltrators) without (attempting) arrest.

[RCJP]

Neither Bratton nor Tony V has said a single word about the status of the injured officers.

That's supportive leadership for you.

[Jeff]

Someone mentioned something to the effect of, “Wait until the City looks like TJ”, Wait?? Take a drive around MacArthur Park. Venture down to South Central. Have you been to Van Nuys lately? We are there now my friends!!! This City is a dump and the cancer is spreading!

For those of us who are fortunate enough to live outside of the City limits, speak out when your city’s manager, planner, or council members even mention “affordable” or low-income housing developments. My analogy is from the motion picture “Field of Dreams”. The voice in the cornfield was telling Kevin Costner, “Build it and they will come”. Only in this case it will not be “Shoeless” Joe Jackson or “Moonlight” Graham moving in next door! It will be corn vendors, polka music blaring all night long, and surrounding property values plummeting!

[Tom]

I have a simple solution. At the next demonstration where it appears things are getting out of hand.... Form the entire City Council with the Mayor in front with the Police Commission and send them in to TAKE CONTROL of the situation..

Because all i been hearing is how bad the LAPD messed up that day.. Let's have them show the City how it is really done since the officers screw things up all the time...

P.S. send all the Politicians through Mobil Field force Training with live people acting as the demonstrators.. Maybe then the Officers can learn from the politicians how easy they can take things under control before the Community and City erupts in violence!

[ron]

I support the Chief and the Mayor
110%

[m officer]

Not sure where to start. I am a METRO officer and I was there that day. Judge me if you will. I am not going to make excuses or apologize for my actions or the actions of my brother or sister officers. But if you will listen for a few minutes and read on maybe I can shed some light on the situation.

Metro has changed drastically over the past two years, supervision has been brought in with no Metro experience and told to "clean house". Demonstrations are Metro's bread and butter, yet we have close to 30 new officers in Metro who have not attended "Metro School"(a one month traing that includes a 4 day training block of crowd control), why because the chief wants his crime stats and can't "afford" to put these officers through training and take them out of the field. There was Metro School scheduled for Feb 2007, then March , April, May. You get the picture. Metro Officers have made it clear every time we meet with our supervision or the Chief of Special Operations Bureau. "We need our training back and we need to train more frequently". Our constant and numerous requests were ignored, delayed, questioned, whatever they want to say it didn't happen. Now 60 officers are out of the field for training, but according to our supervision "B platoon is not in trouble", yet it looked like they are in trouble when the chief spoke on the news. Just goes to show you what comes down from the top.

Most positions would require "job experience" BUT to promote into Metro "job experience" is a negatative, unless of course you have proven you will be a "Yes Man" for the Chief and Brass.

Metro is a Specialized Division with specialized skills, yet our training has not reflected that in any way, Now The Chief wants 7 Captains to train Metro on Crowd Control, Guess who they called to get a power point from, Yep a SGT in Metro.

I am very upset with the chiefs response and the mayors response, how about due process, like you give everyone else. Are we different, do we not get a fair chance.

I challenge anyone to look at the training officers are getting, not just Metro, LAPD has gone to E-learning, where Officers get their training on the internent. Being a police officer in the field requires practice and training. Would you expect a proffesional Football team to train over the internet, then perform great on gameday. I don't think so, So why has our training gone to the wasteside. Because the chief wants numbers and was willing to do anything to get them. Maybe this one Bit you in the U now where.

Accountablity, starts at the top, according to the mayor. Why then were you out of town on a day that you knew could be of great significance to your city. Out of site out of mind, I would guess was your motivation, it sure wasn't being the mayor. That Gang meeting could have been scheduled another time and you know it, May 1 is always May 1 and You knew this would be a big event. Timing is everything.

As LAPD officers we do are best with what we are given. We were given a chief that cares only about his political career and a mayor that is looking for National recognition. They will be gone, but the LAPD officers will still be protecting the innocent from violent criminals.

[California Conservative]

You police officers need to be reminded you are civil service employees who are under the command of the Chief of Police and Mayor of Los Angels.

You are police officers and human beings not some form of demi-god who can do whatever you want.
You do not make the rules for the police department, The public and our elected officials make the descisons about what you do. If we are unhappy with the Mayor we will vote him out. Until then quit your whinning or quit your job, just like the rest of us who work for a living and are not protected by a police union.

POLICE OF LAPD DO NOT FORGET THAT YOU WORK FOR US, IT IS THAT SIMPLE !!!!

[Maria Hernandez-The Silent Majority]

Maybe it's me, but I find it iritating to see so many hostile, diasgruntled people jumping on the bash the LAPD bandwagon. These people want people fired and heads to roll immediately yet when the shoe is on the other foot, the police would be criticized as making a rush to judgement.

Pushing a crowd is an ugly thing. There does not appear to be any easy way to do it. I sure would hate to be the unlucky SOB to have to do it. Damned if you do damned if you don't. And I hate to say it, but, Mr. cameraman and news anchor person, if you are on the wrong side of the baton when the sheilds come down, c'est la vie! That is your choice, you should have moved. It's not rocket science when a line of uniforms start marching your way! There is no way to cherry pick the good from the bad at that point. JUST MOVE!!! There is no point in arguing is there? Do you really think that at that point they have the time to say, "Oh Channel 2, I didn't see you there, please, feel free to cross our line and stand behind us!" Besides, don't your cameras have those super zoom lenses that can see a pimple on a horses butt from a mile away? and microphones to do the same? Before you bust on the police for not using some giant boom box to tell you to move, why don't you get your shot from a safe place?

I'm sure that the police made mistakes, as broadcasted nightly on the 5 o'clock news, but come on. It's this kind of thing that has turned the police into a giant papermill requiring months of investigative minutia. It's case law from continuing suits against the city that make it impossible for the "quick" turnover of evaluation of such incidents that you are so vocally bent about. You reap what you sow people. Be carefull what you ask for, you may get it!

And lastly, why is it, that hundreds of officers and peacefull protesters have been coinciding all day long without a single incident...to the point of you media people complaining that there was NO NEWS!!!!!! Where is THAT news? Where is the accolades for the hundreds of officers doing a fabulous job keeping the peace hours and hours all day in the hot sun?

Shame on all of you! Shame on the Mayor, Shame on Chief Bratton and shame on every one of you armchair quarterbacks that have the nerve to be haters from the sanctity of your livingrooms! So you don't like the actions of a handfull of officers...Does anyone actually believe that with all the video coverage that those few guys are NOT going to be screwed? Maybe the outrage should really be on the same idiots on the other side of the line forcing the police's hand to take action. I didn't see ANYONE from the protesters side of the fence making any attempt to stop these rogue idiots from throwing bottles and objects at moving vehicles (A FELONY!!!!) at officers, injuring 15, etc...Where's La Raza now? I hear a lot of excuses from the Hispanic community and it turns my stomache. When are they going to start taking some responsibility themselves? You can't have it both ways. I can't figure why reasonable adult human beings can't just call a spade a spade and let the hand play out, as everyone KNOWS that it will!

The undeniable truth is, that if you look for the bad in everything, you will find it every time. If you people want respect, ask for it. It's not for you to demand it as a right. If you want rights...then wait in line and apply for them like everyone else!Then consider giving a little respect back, before you bite the hand that feeds you! All of you so called informed people who feign being outraged? Why don't you go to Mexico and see how the Mexican Government would have treated these people....Oh wait, that's why they're here! Right?!

[The M's from Texas]

Does becoming a police officer mean you become a hate target for anyone who decides that they don't like you? And as a police officer it is your duty to take a beating because of your presence? Is this not a hate crime against our police? Are you suppose to stand there and just take it because it is "unprofessional" for an officer to react? Does police procedure not state that you are to take control of the situation? Where does the police officers rights end and the assailants begin? If a person decides to sneak into this country and break our laws, nothing is done. If a person decides to assault a police officer nothing is done. They want to protest against the US because we are not doing enough for them, they hurl bottles and rocks and anything they can get their hands on at our police officers and our police officers are suppose to stand there and take it? Why? The liberal media gets into the act and makes our police officers out to be the villians. Does anyone think that these illegals will stop throwing bottles and rocks if the police officer just says "pretty please, don't throw bottles and rocks at me?" they are gonna stop? If anything is done to get control of these protesters then the police are bad mouthed relentlessly and repreminded by Chief Bratton who plays politics and caves under pressure. Our police officers are thrown under the bus !!!! Illegals have been emboldened to continue with this behavior because they will get what they want at the expence of our police officers and the legal citizens of the United States. I think that if anyone wants the illegals here then they should pay for them not the rest of us !!

[Ex-Marine and Proud Marine Father]

You cops sure a bunch of crybabies. My son is 22 years old and in the Marines and currently doing his second tour in Iraq. He and his fellow Marines do not complain and cry as much as the police on this blog (and their job is even more dangerous). You police have to stop and also consider some of the positives of you jobs. You have a four day work week which very few people have. Many of you earn a large overtime paycheck due to the shortage of officers in the LAPD. You have a very generous retirement package which is NOT given to most employees working in the private sector. If you can not handle the heat get out of the kitchen. I served proudly in the Marines as does my son if we don’t like the Marines we are free to leave as are you. We the public are not subservient to your every whim and desire.

The police are not from some special sector of society which can do no wrong. The police are the same as everybody else and have misfits just like every other occupation. I remember watching the news footage of a fat and drunk Chicago police officer beating up a female bartender. I know everyone of you also saw this on the news. The other thing to remember is that there were other Chicago police officers involved in trying to cover up the criminal behavior of the fat policeman who beat the female bartender.

If you crybaby police officers want to be treated with respect, when one of your fellow officers is involved in criminal behavior do NOT rush to protect him just because he is a police officer. Respect is something which you have to earn from the general public, respect will NOT be handed to you on a silver platter.

And to the persons who thinks the LAPD should not show up for the next assignment which the police don’t like, you do not have that option, just like a fireman does NOT decide he will fight a fire because he is mad at the owner of the house, we have Marines who are opposed to the war in Iraq but it is their duty and responsibility be there.

Just my two cents worth after reading so many complaints from so called Police Officers, I only hope the views expressed on this blog represent a small percentage of the LAPD. Do you cops on this blog defend fat drunk cops who beat up female bartenders?

Don C.

[P]

Although I am not Metro, I was involved in clearing the park...Here's some of the things I observed. I stood around with the rest of my unit for 7 hours as the crowd grew. I obs many families, food vendors,reporters, etc inside the park. I also observed several people with bandanas around their faces. A sure sign that there were people who wanted to start trouble. The rally was peaceful most of the day. There were a couple of incidents I heard over the radio involving small groups of people causing problems. Officers took care of it without force. Toward the end, I heard several radio broadcasts stating officers were getting bottles, bricks, etc thrown at them. Thankfully, this time, it only took a few minutes for the commanding officers at scene (whom I support) to make the call that this was now an unlawful assembley. Of course we all knew that most of the crowd was peaceful. Of course we knew there were families in the crowd. We also knew there were approx 75-100 suspects involved with throwing dangerous items at officers. (For all of you who think we should have just dealt with that group of 75-100 people, you try grabbing 100 people at a time, sealing them off from the rest of the crowd. Add into the equation that they are already combative and agressive. You can't capture those people. They will run back into the crowd like the cowards they are. It doesn't work.)I was there and I clearly heard several warnings for everyone to clear the park. Don't tell me there was no warning, I was there...I also heard several warnings in Spanish. We waited a good 25-30 minutes before we even started clearing the park after the warnings were given. That's a long time to be pelted with rocks and bottles. But we're professionals, we will take that abuse to give families time to leave. I personally stood at the end of a skirmish line with no less than 5 people with cameras pointed at me. They yelled insults at me, called me a pig, told me I was a racist, told me they could find out where I lived, would advance toward me then suddenly stop, remind me that Bratton's election was coming up and that I better not because then Bratton wouldn't get re-elected. (It was hard not to grin at that last comment when they yelled that.) All the time they sat there with their cameras in my face hoping I would lose my cool and do something stupid they could catch on tape. These were just the 5 people in front of me making an attack on one officer who wasn't saying or doing anything other than standing in a skirmish line that wasn't moving. Countless other officers had to deal with the same thing and gave no reaction just like me. These people weren't even the agitators who were throwing rocks and bottles. After several more warnings and 25-30 minutes we started clearing the park. There was plenty of time for people to leave the area. We were ordered to move forward and start a coordinated advance to move people west out of the park. We didn't run, we didn't chase after people. We walked slow. Tactics and training do not allow us to let ANYONE through our lines. This includes the media. If one person who isn't a police officer gets through, then the line is compromised. There are no exceptions, unless you can't physically move. If that is the case then we will request an ambulance for you. As I moved forward in my skirmish line, I was continuously taunted by the same people daring me to hit them or act out. They at least had the common sense not to get too close to me. Make no mistake...I would have struck them with my PR-24 if it had been warranted. Luckily, for my agitators, they kept walking. They decided not to just stand there as the line got closer. They moved and kept their distance. In the end the park was cleared and no one was seriously hurt. If you look at the video shown over and over again by the media of the metro officers and the camera man, you will notice that out of the estimated 50,000 people attending this event, there are only a handful in the picture. I see a good 20 feet of space between the officers skirmish line and the left side of the picture. That tells me that 99.9% of the crowd had the common sense to move out of the way of the skirmish line. Again, we do not let anyone through our lines. If he got hit with a baton, pushed, or kicked a couple of times to get him to move then he should consider himself lucky. We don't have time to slow down and let him get his act together. If he isn't already moving he is wrong. Media or not, if I see a wall of blue in riot gear moving towards me I'm going to think it's time to leave. Shame on you if your dumb enough to stand there. As for the 37mm's and the foam projectiles. They did exactly what they were designed for. People move when we use those. If the people who remained in the park after the warnings were given had just left, they wouldn't have been struck with the foam. Too bad. The media is completely irresponsible in this, just like in Rodney King. They choose to edit and saturate the channels with videos that get them ratings. Except for May 1st and 2nd, I have yet to see anymore video of the rocks and bottles being thrown at officers. Hmmmm....I wonder why not. Try showing the other side.
I thought I heard Bratton say he was going to wait until the investigation is over, yet in 1 week there have been 2 high ranking officers (who had the guts to make the right call)reassigned, 1 who was also demoted. 60 metro officers are now assigned to their homes pending the investigation. (By the way, Bratton was bragging 2 weeks ago how the LAPD now has just over 9500 officers deployed. The first time above that mark in years. With 60 metro officers at home were back below that, fyi.) The mayor and Chief have already stated on national TV that the LAPD was wrong. Bratton may have chosen his words carefully, but most of us can see through them. Chief, this department was GREAT before you got here, it's GREAT while your here, and it will continue to be GREAT after you are gone. It's GREAT because of the hard working men and women of this department. It's GREAT because there are still some supervisors in all sorts of positions that still care about the troops. Since your re-election is the least of your concerns, maybe you should think about how you could support this department instead of throwing your troops to the wolves. Good Luck! Maybe you should investigate this...Toward the end of the "melee" officers requested back up for 2 ADW on PO's susps running. The airship was assiting those officers flying low to the ground as they always do in a tactical situation like this. Someone actually had the nerve to get on the air and tell the airship something close to this..."Airship, once again I'm going to request you gain some altitude because it's too noisey down here." The pilot replied that he was in the middle of a tactical situation and could not fly higher at the time. The same person stated "we need you to fly higher because we are having a MEDIA INTERVIEW". The airship repeated that officers were in foot pursuit and he could not comply with that request. Instead of staying off the air for the emergency, the same jerk-off told the pilot "isn't there a code-4? We are doing this interview". The pilot responded by saying there is one in custody but they are chasing a second suspect. You are going to have to stand by on the interview sir, officer safety first.I hope there is an investigation into that. This is unacceptable. Let me be the first to say that we line officers are sorry that your interview was interrupted. All I know is that tommorrow I will be back at work, chasing suspects with guns, arresting people for beating their wives, fixing the problems between you and your neighbors, and all the other endless things we do for the citizens of LA.
To all of you citizens who support the LAPD, thank you, it means more than you know. To blogger "midwestgal" America is spelled A-M-E-R-I-C-A, not AMERIKA, welcome to the USA if you are not actually from here. B-platoon, enjoy your vacation and keep your heads up, the rest of us know what happened. To Bratton and Mayor V, if I happen to die in the line of duty protecting the citizens of LA, my wife knows you two are not welcome at my funeral. My brothers and sisters in blue you are still my heroes, stay safe. LT De La Torre thanks for keeping this blog going and posting all of these comments that are controversial. Citizens of LA, no mater how you feel about us we are still going to respond to your cries for help, assist you everyway that we can, and be there when you need us. We have too much honor and pride to let the real criminals take over this city.
-P

[Carie Kendrick]

I'm sick to death hearing you Latinos and illegals crying about your unfair treatment. What would have happened in your countries..instead of bruises or welts, you might have been killed. When the law instructs any of us to disperse, and we refuse, there are conseauences. Again, you think the law doesn't apply to you-only to the American citizens who you arrogantly take advantage of every day you are here illegally. Go home! We don't want your protests. You don't want to become Americans. You want to come here, take our monies and services, and downgrade our way of life with yours. It sickens me to see our police be chastised for doing their job. What a bunch of whining bloodsuckers. Go back to where you came. You are not welcome!

[The M's from Texas]

I support the LAPD officers that were at that protest. Those of you that think you could have done a better job at the time should try it. It's like an armchair quarterback. You don't know the first thing about it but you have all this advice to give with no regard to how it actually goes down. I wonder if Chief Bratton in his career has ever had to deal with a bunch if disrespectful illegals protesting that we the US are not doing enough for their law breaking selves.

[joseph zelenis]

open letter to commander carter. i am sorry about the demotion. Sorry you got caught in the switches. metro did stop a riot. take comfort in that. i served under you at station 10 as a pcr. i am the guy in a wheelchair. Thank you for your service.

[Ex-Marine]

Why does the incident at McArthur Park surprise anybody.

LAPD has had plenty of scandals over it entire history, as does every major police department.

Why do you think Police officers were taken off the city streets and put in Police cars. It was so the Police walking the downtown bet would not extort money form the business owners.

Does anybody remember the mini-tank and battering ram that Chief Gates used to destroy peoples homes. Does anybody remember the million dollar law suits the city had to pay, for destroying the wrong homes.

In more recent times does anybody remember how many millions the LAPD Rampart scandal cost the city. Does anybody remember the number of cases dismissed because of "planted" evidence. Does anybody remember how many officers were fired from Rampart.

So remember the Police are average citizens and not some perfect human being.

If you want to earn the respect of the Public just apoligize for the conduct of a few cops and move on. The police seem to think we the citizens are automatically supposed to place you on a pedestal, trying earning that spot first.

[Born in the USA]

I wouldn't be a police officer if they pay was a million dollars a year. I have such respect for what you do. I have sided with tactics used/shown in video for years. Defended your right to go home at the end of your shift. But there’s no question that something happened out there that day. I don't know what since so many people have jumped on the band wagon to point the finger at someone else. That what is shown on video is hard to defend. Did someone lose it somewhere along the way? Where was the loss of control? Was it at the top of the food chain with highest ranking personnel there? Was it the few that threw things? Was it the fact that some where along the way all that training was thrown out the window? I want answers I think we all do. But, to throw the baby out with the bath water isn’t the answer. I don’t think the media should get special privileges, if they are told to clear the area then clear the area. Don’t stand there with your camera and think that you have the right to be there. I certainly hope and pray that no one loses his/her job over this incident. I don’t have the answers to all the questions. Were the officers in fear for their lives? Were deadly weapon’s being thrown? Were announcements to disperse made adequately? Were the two highest ranking officials actually there or were they sitting in a command post in air conditioning a few blocks away? Did they see what happened before the orders were given to go in? Did they go out there to see what was actually happening before giving the orders to go in? Were there adequate personnel there before things got out of hand? Or did things get out of hand because there weren’t enough personnel there? I don’t think the answers that any report brings forth will satisfy everyone. Is more training the answer? Is better supervision the answer? What we need to find out is where were the highest ranking officers in relation to the actual point of conflict? Who and why were the orders given to go in? Will we let the reports take place? What does the highest ranking officer present mean? What does the highest ranking officer on scene mean? My thought are with all of you who put the uniform on everyday. I hope that all of you manage to keep you careers. GOD Bless each and everyone of you.

[Fictional retired army lieutenant]

To Retired Army Lieutenant:

Make up your mind, are you 60 or 70 years old? Get your lies straight before posting them.

[Frank M.]

Open Letter to Moderator!!!

Why do you censor so many coments critical of the LAPD. Let this be an open and free forum of all opinions not just a blog used by LAPD officers to complain about Chief Bratton and Mayor Villaraigosa.

[Netdvr]

The Chief of Police was on television stating he will wait till the investigation concludes before reaching a decision regarding this incident. It is a shame to then see him demoting and
re-training people two days later before the investigation barely gets started.
The investigation should focus on the illegal invaders in the crowd and how to identify, prosecute and deport them rather than on those officers doing their job. Once again the criminals are labeled as “victims” and the police are punished for upholding the law.
I am not aware if a "safe area" was established for the media. If it was established and the media was not where they were supposed to be than they are fair game when it comes to crowd control. If the cops are ordered to clear an area, that means clear an area. You can't tell me a camera person can't see a police line advancing towards him/her and not know to get out of the way.
Wake up Los Angeles! Support your police department and stand up against unfair politics and the illegal invasion!

[Lt De La Torre]

M Officer

I apologize for the delay.

[joseph zelenis]

Thanks commissioner i stand corrected.

[Jeff]

Frank M,

Could it be possible that the majority of the public supports the actions of the police on May 1st and the majority of comments are in fact being posted? Is it possible that not everyone agrees with your point of view?

It doesn't take much to see right through the Chief and Mayor's political agenda via their recent actions and comments in ref to the May Day incident. As a matter of fact, it is clear as day and with them insisting that it has nothing to do with politics is an insult to all of our intelligence. Do you actually think that it is just a mere coincidence that the white deputy chief got demoted and a hispanic took his place?

I can understand the actions of the Mayor as no one is suprised with his non-sense, but the Chief, he's nothing more than a coward who is anything but a leader. He knew what was in store for May 1st and chose not to be have anything to do with it. That is a classic example of "plausible deniability".

If accountability truely comes from the top as the Chief has stated and if the Chief truely believes that the actions of the LAPD where innappropriate then he should make a statement to the public that he has failed. He is ultimately responsible for the actions of every employee of the Department by way of vicarious liability. They preach this until they are blue in the face but apparently do not practice it as it stopped at the rank of Deputy Chief and will undoubtably work it's way downward from there.

Hang in there guys and gals. All of us from the allied agencies feel for you! You may want to look into PERS and see if your LA time can transfer over. This is definately one of the rare incidents where the grass is definately greener on the other side.

[LOVESLALEOS]

Frank, you are wrong. Commander De La Torre and his staff have "pulled" approximately 50% of my posts, which are 100% pro line officer, and which do not contain bad words. I do not question why they do this, but my written communication skills are improving, so I am grateful. I am also grateful because I realize it must be mind numbing to read all of this endless negativity every day. Without their service, where would all of the anger and negativity go? I imagine Lt. De La Torre is hoping for the day we all support each other as we work through our challenges, with faith in the good intentions of all. The thing about Law Enforcement Officers that is different than most others is: these individuals face the possibility of their own death every day. They know what the rest of us only learn when there is some horrible disaster; that deep in our hearts, most of us would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for a total stranger. So all of our talk and acts to the contrary seem meaningless and a petty waste of time. While people like you and I can theorize and debate every day between disasters, Law Enforcement Officers are in constant awareness every day of the value of human life and the temporary nature of it. You and I can call in sick, roll over and go back to bed, but they must jump up, create a positive (perhaps final)connection with family and leave in full readiness to die. Every day. So when people create unnecessary, petty drama for them, it is grossly unfair. This is not a "job" like working for Arco; it is a lifetime of daily sacrifice. It is also different from military service in that the danger never ends, and the conflict follows them home. Lt De La Torre and the officers moderating this blog are not pencil pushing civil servants; they are law enforcement officers. And chances are this post will be pulled too, so maybe I should have just said, "Frank you are wrong," and left it at that.

[ron]

The cops complained about Williams then it was Parks now it's Bratton. Who will make you happy?? Someone like Gates?? The man who said" when you choke a black there neck arters don't open up like normal people". Is this the type of person you want?? I guess so. Someone who has no feelings for no one. You people are never happy you always think you know better. Well guess what?? No matter what you may think of the people of L.A. we have spoken we elected the mayor and he appointed the chief and MR.Mack. The consent decree was whos fault? who???? Get over it or find a new job.

[Line Reserve Guy]

Ron,
Most of the rank & file officers were fine with Williams. Your statement is incorrect. Chief Parks was a Officer Morale Nightmare and he has been sniveling about being forced out ever since and making his disdain for the Department very evident since his ouster. What the Cops on the Department want is a leader who will be fair and withold judgement until ALL the facts are in.

Bratton is the Chief of Police, yet I have not heard him accept any responsibility for any of this....why not? Why is his job not in jeopardy?

Its times like these that define character and leadership and Chief Bratton has shown the entire world what he is made of.....not much!

[Sasha]

I feel more for LAPD than the protestors. Like all of us, cops are human and are going to make mistakes. I'd like to see LAPD critics just try and do a better job! I have no doubt that they wouldn't be able to even come close to the great job LAPD is doing.

Instigators on the protesting side got what they deserve, in my opinion. I am sorry IF there were innocent bystandars were injured in the crossfire. But it is their own fellow protestors they should be upset with, NOT LAPD. Those instigators ruined what could've been a productive, non-violent protest. They have lost alot of support from legal residents, as a result.

Our men and women in uniform have an unfathomably difficult job, continuously putting their life on the line for ungrateful, disrespectful citizens (and non-tax paying aliens), who don't deserve this sort of sacrafice. I am disgusted how the media finds any chance they can get to make these honorable men and women out to be the bad guys. Showing a very biased and skewed side to the story (what a surprise - NOT). And even more disgusted to have learned that the LAPD is now being sued by certain protestors who "claim" injury. Some of which who are illegal aliens. Unbelievable!

To any officers who are reading this, I assure you there is much more support out there for you than you realize. Keep up the good job.

I think the Chief has handled this professionally and I hope our Mayor shows some backbone and supports his men in blue!

[reservecop]

So many commets.So few manning the skirmish lines!

[midwestgal]

To blogger "midwestgal" America is spelled A-M-E-R-I-C-A, not AMERIKA, welcome to the USA if you are not actually from here.

Thanks P... but I am African American, born and raised here, very intelligent (at least that's what I've been told) and I know how to spell. I was mocking racism, but guess it didn't go over very well.

[Gabriel]

Karie Kendrick said ....
I'm sick to death hearing you Latinos and illegals crying about your unfair treatment. What would have happened in your countries..instead of bruises or welts, you might have been killed. When the law instructs any of us to disperse, and we refuse, there are conseauences.

*****************

I have news for you this Latino is not going stop complaing anytime I see injustice. The police should have "handled" the instigators and not just shoot randomly into a fleeing crowd.

Watch the news footage and the videos and YouTube.com and you will see cops shooting into a crowd not even related to the people in the park, this was after the police moved the crowd into the surrounding streets.

Racist like you beter get used to us Latinos becuase in a few more years you will be the minority.

[Gabriel]

I did not realize this was the Minute-Man blog. I also have news for the red-necks not every brown skin person is an illegal alien.

[Michael D. Lewin]

WHY would any sane person want to join the ranks of the Los Angeles Police Department today? With apologies to John Wyndham, the LAPD has become the "Department of the Damned if you Do and Damned if you Don't.” I gave twenty-six years to the Department and that gives me the absolute right to comment on issues concerning the Department. If I were a young adult today looking for a career in law enforcement, I would run like hell from the LAPD. My first twenty-three years, not without its bumps, was a wonderful time. The last three years were a nightmare from which I barely survived.

The officers on the job will tell you. They are targets. They are gigantic targets for spineless supervisors and command officers, the muckraking members of the news media, special interest groups and the gutless, self-serving, self-promoting, rotten scoundrels we call politicians. This would include Bratton. I cannot bring myself to address him as Chief because he has never earned that right and he sure as hell didn't act like a Chief of Police with his comments the other day concerning the May Day disturbance.

To the young people considering a career with the LAPD, I say, don't do it! Forget the murderers, the robbers, rapists, gangsters and child molesters you would eventually have to confront. They would be the least of your worries. The people you would have to worry about and would always be looking over your shoulder for are the people mentioned above. You can be the most honest, hard-working, caring, intelligent officer on the job but, in Los Angeles, all it takes is a fraction of a moment to change your life forever. There are cadres of politicians, attorneys, self-appointed community leaders/buffoons, and even officers within the department who exist only to prosecute and/or sue you. They salivate at the thought of you and your family penniless and you in jail.

There are hundreds of other departments to consider. There are cities with police departments, civic leaders, and citizenry who fully realize the impossible and often thankless tasks faced by law enforcement. Los Angeles is not one of them.

I was raised in Los Angeles and worked there all my adult life. When I say Los Angeles has become a dangerous city and a dying city, you can take that to the bank. No matter how hard an officer works, no matter how righteous an officer is, the city cannot be saved. Frankly, at this moment I don't think it's a city worth saving.

As for the young Metropolitan Division Officers now being blasphemed en masse by Bratton and all the other parasitic clotpoles listed above, I say, get the hell out of there. Take your training, your expertise, your commitment, and your reputations and apply to another department. At the LAPD you will forever be known as one of the "60". I was a Metropolitan Division Officer for seven years and I too found myself at a May Day disturbance in MacArthur Park. We performed as trained, as did you. They tried to hang us for our tactics. We prevailed because we had a chief who was not a spineless, ass-kissing politician but was a chief, strong in his beliefs, one who spoke after fully reviewing the evidence, and one who defended us knowing we had done nothing wrong.

My most fervent hope is that the words I have written here today make their way around the country so as to warn those considering a career in law enforcement, "Stay Away from the LAPD.”

Respectfully,

Michael D. Lewin
LAPD, Retired
Thousand Oaks, CA

[Jeff]

Lt,

Thanks for the response ref the alleged comment from the Chief, although I did hear that straight from a B-Platoon officer. What was even more interesting was after I asked that of you I saw another post mentioning the same comment. I don't know if you caught that or not but it makes one wonder.

Also, thanks for all the work on the blog and with my ramblings. When you take pride in your profession, do your best to do your job and what you think is right yet start taking hits with "verbal" rocks and bottles, I respond by "firing back" with the keyboard in an attempt lock people on and set them straight, to no avail I'm sure! Like they say, one's perception is their reality!

You are doing a great job!

[Jeff]

Midwestgal,

Please do not confuse common, everyday observations and being honest enough to simply state facts with racism.

Here's your chance to be honest with ereryone and show some courage. With money not being an object and given the choice, would you really choose to live and raise a family in the communities that I aforementioned in prior posts? Take a look at Southcentral Los Angeles. In the 30'2 and 40's, the area near the Coloseum was an upscale and pretigious neighborhood. Not anymore. What happened? The same is true with the Valley in the 50's and 60's. Stand at the intersection of Victory and Van Nuys Blvd. I'm certain that many who are unfamiliar with the area would mistake it for a third world Latin American city.

My degree is not in Sociology and I may be way off on this, but by spending the majority of my workday in these types of neighborhoods for over 15 years now, rather than only having gained knowledge and being "all-knowing" via a text book at Berkeley, I have formulated some opinions as to why these areas and the problems that go along with them exists. In short, there is a lack of integrity and accountability for actions. Also lacking is an emphasis on ethical and moral fitness. A common aire of believing that something is "owed" to one also often exists. These plagues seem to be taught and carried from one generation to the next. And note, I did not ever say "all" or "everyone". Many in these communities have worked hard to raise their families and better themselves to escape the cycle of being stagnate. It is these people that have earned all of my respect versus others who where born with the proverbial "silver spoon" in their mouth and have everything, but not by their own doings. Status or material wealth means nothing in regards to the type of person that one is.

Also, one more tidbit of info for you, my wife is hispanic which makes my children half hispanic, all of whom I love more than life itself! So much for your insinuation of me being a racist. Honest? Yes. Racist? No.

[Brian Allan Fiebelkorn]

Chief Bratton, I am pleased that you have personally demanded a “full and detailed” investigation of the MacArthur Park May Day incident involving LAPD officers and their actions. I further note and applaud that you have called for “open and transparent” investigations and disciplinary proceedings. At the same time, you are seeking the public’s and the Police Commission’s approval for re-appointment as Chief. In anticipation of your re-appointment, I would like to offer you a suggestion.

Based on my personal experience concerning the filing of a formal complaint against the LAPD, significant reform pertaining to official police misconduct investigations must occur to help regain the public’s confidence.

M. Gerald Schwartzbach (Robert Blake’s criminal defense attorney) and I, Brian Allan Fiebelkorn (defense witness), filed a formal complaint against a certain senior LAPD Detective on January 4, 2006. To date, well over a year has passed with no findings or conclusion with the investigation of our heavily substantiated complaint. Incredibly, a paragraph in a letter I received over year ago from your department on January 25, 2006, states:

“State law prohibits the imposition of discipline or other punitive action by the Department if the investigation is more than one year old. In addition, State law limits the amount of information we can reveal to you about the Department’s investigation”

In conjunction with the above limitations, I understand that any resulting disciplinary recommendations against officers are subject to review and enforced at the sole discretion of the offending officer’s Commander or Captain. There certainly appears to be an enormous conflict of interest with this condition. In fact, recent media articles document that rogue and troubled LAPD officers remain on duty because of the aforementioned arcane requirements. As evidenced by the lack of our complaint’s resolution, I would speculate that these questionable provisions have stifled many findings against officers by your internal investigations. This is unacceptable.

Based on your swift actions regarding the investigation of the MacArthur Park incident, it is evident that you have the power to effect change. However, I fear your current actions are short-term measures due to the intense public scrutiny and political ramifications of the current crisis. In my opinion, only time will separate the LAPD from its next crisis without your genuine efforts for reform with regards to complaint investigations.

Chief Bratton, it is my firm belief that the vast majority of your 11,000 plus LAPD employees serve the City of Los Angeles within the LAPD doctrine “to protect and to serve”. However, you cannot allow your Department to tolerate and retain any officer that violates the rights of citizens and inflames the mistrust of law enforcement. With your current momentum, now is the time to remove all obstacles that prevent you from dealing effectively with those persons in your department that fail you and the citizens of Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Brian Allan Fiebelkorn
Los Angeles, California

[Andrew in Phoenix]

To Michael D. Lewin,

I agree that many times, politicians, lawyers, self-appointed community leaders and other ambulance chasers have made being a cop in L.A. more difficult. However, they are not the only ones to cause problems with the LAPD.

For 15 years, your department was run by a man who was not accountable to ANYBODY. He was insensitive, racist, always gave critics the back of his hand and refused to work with the community on improving communications and relations with the police and with the public. It is because of Daryl Gates that politicians, attorneys and community leaders have become necessary evils.

With regards to the May 2 disturbances, had there been a way for the police to distinguish between legitimate demonstrators and agitators who were there only to start trouble, things would not have gotten out of hand. The police should have gone after only those who covered their faces with bandannas and carried the U.S. flag upside down and who threw objects at the police than just indiscriminately shove legitimate demonstrators and firing plastic bullets at anybody they see. The treatment of KTTV's Christina Gonzalez and her camerawoman was inexcusable.

Obviously, some members of the LAPD haven't learned anything from the Rodney King beating. Plus, you too easily forget how some people reacted when those cops who beat King were acquitted.

Andrew,
Phoenix, Arizona

[P]

Midwestgal... I too despise racists, and by reading the entries here it's easy to see it does exist by a few. Every person has their own biases, cops included. However, I have NEVER seen one of brother or sister officers treat someone differently based on race, religion, sex, etc. When we come to work we will help whoever needs us. My only words of advise to people is when a police officer tells you to move, then move....we might be telling you for a reason.

[I'm sick of this!]

Hey!! If you don't like it go back over the border! Your not even legall in the U.S nor are you a citizen here. Who the bleep do these people think they are?

This has nothing to do with any race. You come over here want things the rest of struggle for like health insurance ect,then you condem the job of our over worked LE officers. GET THE FRIG OUT!! There, I'M NOT SCARED TO SAY IT! get out then!
You all got more guts and nerve than a government mule!
Anyone in their right mind can comprehend your demands are unreasonable and selfish. Gimme Gimme this gimme that!
LE did there job that day! They did what they needed to do under those curcumstances,sorry when your throwing crap at them it's going to get worse! When they tell you to move,MOVE IT!! If you want egual rights and privledges without working for it then you need to learn to comply to the commands of a LE officer just like everyone else. Your all a bunch of irrational morons that one cannot reason with!

[Lezlie]

to all those racist who say that if immigrants dont like it then get out! HOW IGNORANT! i can not believe this, there is still a war here in the "united" sates of america. here goes part of the poem by Lorna Dee
Cervantes
"Poem For The Young White Man Who Asked Me How I, An Intelligent, Well-Read Person, Could Believe In
The War Between Races"

".....I'm marked by the color of my skin.
The bullets are discrete and designed to kill slowly.
They are aiming at my children.
These are facts.
Let me show you my wounds: my stumbling mind, my
"excuse me" tongue, and this
nagging preoccupation
with the feeling of not being good enough.
These bullets bury deeper than logic.
Racism is not intellectual.
I can not reason these scars away.
Outside my door
there is a real enemy
who hates me......"

unfortunately we latinos do speak in an excuse me tounge, we were taught that way, b/c we have principles, dignity a background some kind of history that goes back millions of years ago. The united states is new, fresh... history, yes, but limited. what does it take to get the respect? we are not going to burn down los angles and other cities to get the respect we deserve. it's not in our blood to do that. but if it needs to happen, then u all need to watch out. b/c there are plenty of us here. we shouldn't take the beattings of anyone just b/c it might have been worse in our countries, why should we settle for that? does that means we should be greatful? excuse me but last time i checked, i was human, and i will not take that kind of behavior from anyone.... to all those who are smart, then u understood the poem, if not then u know nothing, b/c until u kno what it means to be a latino in this country, you would want to be one, you would be proud and would never speak of latinos in such a way ever again.

[m officer]

Lezlie, please don't speak for hispanics again. There is no war here in the US. I am 100% Mexican/American. Your point of view is what breeds the actions of those on May 1st and other civil unrests. You say "it is not in your blood to burn down the city", yet in the next sentence you say to "watch out". That makes no sense, if you were for a peaceful resolution, you wouldn't threaten others.
So please stop accusing people of being racists and stop calling people ignorant. Legal citizens have a right to be upset with the current situation on illegal immigrants, just like you have the right to be upset. The difference is you don't see legal citizens going out and breaking the law and injuring Innocent people and Law Enforcment officers.

[Jane Q Public]

It's amazing to me to read all of these hostile posts, denigrating the police for their actions. Where is the outrage from the Latino community pissed off that that a hundred TRUE thugs and criminals infiltrated their peaceful demonstration to ruin everyone's good time, or at least their political point? Yeah, there were some issues, but they're OUR issues! Before the ignorant and ill informed throw out one more stupid sweeping generalization for a mere handfull of mistakes, consider the following:

I'm telling you now, you have to be an ignorant blind, deaf mute not to get the gist of a line of officers side-by-side, with helmets and shields pushing everyone in a single direction. I say ignorant, because I'm pretty damn sure that the deaf, blind mute would have taken the hint, picked up his picnic basket and gone home.

Another point that really gets my goat is all of these so-called "outraged" people spew out their hostility and hate based soley on photographs and news presented only by a very irate and bruised media. As far as I know, there were only a few thousand people ACTUALLY AT the park. So where did all of these other brain surgeons get their information...let me guess...TELEVISION AND NEWSPAPERS!!! The biggest things actually bruised was their pride, because our society has cowed down do every one of their miserable whims that they have now come to feel entitled to DEMAND elevated treatment. Funny how the isles at the first Commision meeting was PACKED with so called victims of police brutality, yet when the second meeting convened to show both sides of the issue, and EVIDENCE, NO ONE SHOWED UP!!! Even when the Mayor and Chief of Police were still willing to bend over the desk and take it from you all NO ONE SHOWED!!! I guess the photo op wasn't big enough or maybe finding out the truth, weigh all the facts, are too much for you people. I guess they forgot the adadge, never believe your own press. Does anyone NOT believe that the liberal bias of the media (Especially the ones with the band-aids!) aren't going to put their special brand of SPIN on what happened? AND, after all, bad news makes better ratings. Too bad they don't weigh in at what cost and the irreparable damage their biased news spins about us TRUE ANGELINO'S! to the rest of the world? Why would large events and business want to come here and make us prosperable? Did anyone die? NO! Was anyone seriously injured? NO! Was anyone seriously beaten (and I mean the ones that actually LISTENED to the police?) NO!! Even when, in the presentation it was clear that some of those so-called "Peacefull" protesters were arsonists trying to light trees on fire! The cops should have just let the park and city burn, like the Laker game, so we could start from scratch. Then, maybe all of those people would move to Minnesota and they'll be someone else's problem! That's the way of things right? Don't solve the problem, just throw a rug over it, blame the police and move it somewhere else. But I'm absolutely sure that you would have found fault with them over THAT too!! They can't win either way. Someone needs to remind the Chief, when you try to please everyone, you please no one! Even afterwards it the news reports, almost NO word about all of the countering evidence to support the police was presented. All that was printed was how apologetic the Mayor and Chief were for the actions of a few officers, continuing to put the blame on the police, and not the true rabble rousers that were responsible. Shame on every one of you who refuse to print BOTH SIDES OF AN ISSUE! And you call yourselves journalists. Disgusting bottom-feeders all of you! Only a handfull of you have a hair of integrity.

The next discerning point is that it is no surprise that good old Antonio V touts his support for Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential candidacy...All you have to do is look at his political track record here and compare it to her recent, and I may add SOCIALIST, statements. After all, his actions are clear, our taxmoney and hard earned taxpayer dollars are now supposed to be divied up between thousands of social programs to help her create this "Village" that says we are all going to have to take care of these people soon. An idea he completely supports! I guess the Latino community is either too stupid or ignorant to care for themselves, because that's what he is really saying to all of you (No offense to the legitimate hard working people that this doesn't apply to, and you know in your heart who you are!) And we are all too stupid and ignorant to help ourselves because we keep electing idiots who believe this philosophy and continue to impose it on the rest of us...Maybe Antonio is pushing to be Governor of the wrong place, maybe he should run for Governor of Mexico! He seems to like it much better there!

Be carefull America, watch closely, because if Antonio and Hillary get their way, the Los Angeles saga will be imposed in EVERY STATE OF THE UNION! Mexicali? Calixico? Pick one. If you think it's bad now...just wait....It gets worse

So for all of you who think this is such a bad place to live, the police are so terrible, we don't do enough for you and the hand-outs aren't big enough, to keep you all in a manner to which you have now become accustomed, tough! Go back to (Name a country) ________!

For those of you, as our fathers before us did, came here for the MERE OPPORTUNITY to build a better life for ourselves and our children, to work hard and assimilate into being a productive member of the country that we love and will give our sons and daughters to fight to protect...We welcome you with open arms. All others, please refer to the paragraph above!

[Here's looking at you!]

Hey John McNary, better read that Code you quote from...because you're wrong!

409.5(d) of the Penal Code:
"Nothing in this section shall prevent a duly authorized representative of any news service...from entering the areas closed..."
*********UNLESS*********

Access would clearly interfere with emergency crews or equipment (Leiserson vs. San Diego) or the site is a crime scene!

This Code only refers to hazardous areas, natural disasters and other certain areas restricted to the general public....Once an unlawfull assebly is declared and they purposefully place themselves in the way of the police doing their job....Here's a Code for ya'....148 PC! Interfering!

Note: A safety hazard to the press does not justify restriction; however, it is policy to warn the media of potential danger before allowing access.

Reasons for Denying Access to the Media