The Los Angeles Police Department said it is ready to take on violent protesters that disrupt peaceful protests in Los Angeles.
Towards the end of a largely peaceful “No Kings” rally in downtown LA on Saturday, a small group of protesters began attacking officers by throwing commercial-grade fireworks, rocks and bottles, urging the LAPD to issue a dispersal order.
Despite the city’s $1 billion deficit, which could complicate overtime and additional costs for LAPD officers, Chief Jim McDonnell said his department is ready to halt further violence and vandalism on Saturday night.
“We’re ready to prepare what happens,” said the LAPD chief. “We’ll be doing the right thing to anyone here, someone who shouldn’t be here, anyone who doesn’t have a reason to be here.”
Mayor Karen Bass’ nighttime curfew, which began Tuesday, affects a square mile area in downtown Los Angeles and will not expire anytime soon, so McDonnell has reiterated that curfew offenders will be arrested.
LAPD also suggested that during an interview with NBCLA it is aware of a group of people who “align” each night with executives to create tension. Chief McDonnell added that his department is monitoring a fluid group of about 1,000 people who go from one location to another, from within the 10 block area of downtown LA.
“Our goal is to identify them and keep them accountable for what they’re doing,” McDonnell added. “We can work with the city and district attorneys to ensure that the charges are presented and they are responsible.”
Continuing anxiety that began with the migrant raid at three workplaces in downtown LA on June 6 has attracted attention from around the world as the Trump administration uses LA as a test case to see how far it can go with ice attacks and immigration crackdowns.
The Trump administration justified the federalization of US military forces and accused LA law enforcement of failing to support federal agents and not disliked, but Chief McDonnell stressed that what happens in LA is being closely monitored and scrutinized.
“Hey, this is our city. The eyes of the world are above us. You know we are better than this,” McDonnell spoke to the violent protesters. “I saw something bad last week. In some cases, there are people who protect most people, most people. We’re here to protect them.”
Source link
