by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright June 23, 2000
All Rights Reserved.

here were the police?" asked Stephen E. Auth, president of Kaiser Bros. Oldsmobile, one of the numerous businesses vandalized along the Figueroa corridor, following the Lakers’ triumphant victory over the Indiana Pacers in game 6 of the NBA finals. "Last night was a spontaneous event," countered Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan, defending the LAPD’s management of the post-game melee erupting in the vicinity around LA’s new state-of-the-art sports arena, Staples Center. With the LAPD losing control of the streets and with the Democratic National Convention rapidly approaching, Riordan’s comments provided little consolation. While the crowd of nearly 6,000 frenzied fans swelled around the JumboTron big-screen TV outside the main entrance, gang-bangers were busily engaged in unchecked vandalism and looting of nearby businesses. "Most of us thought the response [of the LAPD] was excellent," said City Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, a frequent critic of police brutality. Measuring the anarchy against other cities in similar circumstances, Goldberg concluded, "We did better." But did we really?

       Knowing the seismographic sensitivity in the wake of the Rampart’s scandal, shouldn’t the police have anticipated retaliation from gangsters whose comrades were framed and maimed by rogue cops within the now defunct Crash Unit? "We [law enforcement] were showing restraint, trying to deescalate the mob," claimed Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks, agreeing with Councilwoman Goldberg that the LAPD’s response was properly measured. But was it really an unruly mob or a handful of hoodlums exploiting the victory celebration to break the law and payback the LAPD? With the adverse publicity surrounding the Rampart’s scandal maybe the LAPD’s a little gun-shy to act heavy-handed. Judging by Goldberg’s comments, it appears that the LAPD had a tactical plan to permit a certain level of lawlessness and violence to rehabilitate its tarnished image. By the time the 'Hibachi' turned into a raging inferno blackening downtown businesses it was already too late.

       Business owners whose windows were smashed and property looted, shook their heads in disbelief, echoing Mr. Auth’s incredulity—"Where were the police?" Attributing the violence to a spontaneous event, Mayor Riordan totally overlooks the role of advanced planning in preempting uncontrolled violence, resulting in torching two patrol cars and at least one fully equipped media van. Though it’s gracious of Shaq and the Lakers to replace the LAPD’s destroyed property, what about the losses of Figueroa business owners? Setting fires in trashcans is a lot different than vandalizing and looting downtown businesses. Sure everyone was euphoric with the Lakers’ victory, but what’s that got to do with tolerating anarchy and lawlessness? Police wouldn’t rain on anyone’s parade by establishing better crowd control and vigorously arresting lawbreakers. What about the law-abiding fans trying to exit the Staples Center whose lives and property were threatened by the violence and chaos? Fearing for their lives, many Lakers’ fans took refuge for hours in Staples Center until the police finally regained control.

       Structuring the crowd outside Staples’ Center and strategically deploying LAPD officers would have mitigated spontaneous acts of violence among overly exuberant fans. Simply giving officers riot gear and placing them haphazardly on the streets is no substitute for methodical crowd training. "We need to learn the lessons of last night also so we will have an outstanding and safe Democratic National Convention in August," said mayor Riordan, anticipating the avalanche of criticism. When political conventions become a lawful forum for protest, special steps will now be made to deny demonstrators their legitimate rights of expression. "The [Democratic] convention will be a well-handled, businesslike event . . . I am confident that we will do the best job in security of any convention in history," said the mayor, trying to reassure critics that the recent mayhem won’t be repeated. While an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it’s time to take a searching inventory before it’s too late.

       Summing up the whole mess best, Los Angeles Fire Capt. Steve Ruda commented, "We weren’t going to risk officers getting hurt to stop a blaze that wasn’t going anywhere . . . There was definitely a mob mentality out there." With that kind of attitude it’s no wonder that the police lost control of the streets. Sure there are risks in dealing with crowds, but to throw in the towel because a handful of outlaws abrogate law enforcement’s basic mandate to "protect and serve" can’t pass unnoticed. Few enlisted personnel relish combat duty and prefer to stay on safer ground, but when duty calls they must do their job—not make excuses. Contrary to official views, their job isn’t to permit a certain level of lawlessness and violence, and then justify police mishandling by comparing it to other deplorable episodes of fan violence. Failing to carefully organize and plan the expected repercussions, the police looked less organized than the gang-bangers capitializing on this open invitation. Haven’t we learned anything from the ’92 riots?" Daryl Gates’ attitude of "let ‘em burn" can’t be tolerated now or ever.

       "Last night we witnessed pride and shame, winners and losers . . . We are not going to let a few hundred vandals spoil a glorious celebration for millions of Angelenos," commented an outraged mayor Riordan sidestepping responsibility for letting things to get out of hand. With a little better preparation the whole mess could have been avoided. Law enforcement must stop wringing its hands over Rampart and start vigorously doing their job. Providing law enforcement with more training in crowd management and strategically deploying police officers to shape the crowd configuration around Staples Center wouldn’t have spoiled anyone’s party. Sure they might have to subdue a few live wires, but more methodical control would have prevented most of the violence. After the game, officers and fans should have been high-fiving together. Displaying methodical control doesn’t antagonize crowds, it prevents them from getting out of hand. Abandoning strategic police positions within the crowds around Staples Center invited the mayhem. With the Democratic National Convention on its way, let’s not overreact the next time around—let’s just be better prepared.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for The Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care, political research and media consultation. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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