Posted on 06/13/2009 5:44:08 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Authorities are getting prepared for the possible riotous celebration that may accompany a Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship win on Sunday night.
"We have the ability to put together resources very quickly if we go to (tactical) alert -- to pull resources in from around the city," Los Angeles police Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said.
McDonnell says the LAPD plans to deploy heavier than usual that night so the department will have the sufficient resources to deal with whatever happens.
Staples Center usually shows away games on its outdoor big-screen televisions, but will not on Sunday night. However, several large sports bars and restaurants in the adjacent L.A. Live entertainment complex will be open for business.
Staples spokesman Michael Roth urged fans to stay at home and watch the game and said no public viewing facilities would be available at Staples or L.A. Live.
Disturbances have followed Lakers championship victories in 200, 2001 and 2002. One year, fans watching the game on outdoor giant screens at Staples rampaged down Figueroa Boulevard, smashing dozens of car windows at nearby auto dealers.
On Thursday, overenthusiastic fans in East Los Angeles stormed an intersection and vandalized cars following the Lakers' overtime victory over the Orlando Magic, which gave the team a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 5 will be played Sunday in Orlando, with a Lakers victory there giving the team its 15th NBA championship.
"Fans -- having a good time doesn't mean hurting people," Sheriff Lee Baca said. "The Lakers are a sports team, not some kind of a destructive force, and therefore celebrate and enjoy, but don't commit any violence."
And if they lose?
Just put a net around all of them
Nah, bring in the Marines and just blockade the whole dammmmm area...like Baghdad was!
Its more peaceful in Mosul than LA!
LOL!
However, it is a sad reflection on society, that this has to be done.
Whatever happened to Damian “Football” Williams? He might be up for a little action.
The police ought to cancel the event as a Public Nuisance and an unlawful assembly. If a riot is inevitable, why reward the rioters with a winning basketball team to celebrate?
That way the franchise would lose millions and have a really good reason to keep their fans in line for next year.
Makes good sense to me.
“Whatever happened to Damian “Football” Williams?”
Funny you should ask. See the last paragraph in the following article:
http://www.streetgangs.com/topics/2007/042507football.html
Soooo... if your team wins, you trash your own city????
He deserves it
The next “event” is in Orlando.
Any excuse for ‘white on black’ crime. Oh. Wait...
*Crickets Chirping*
Wednesday, Apr. 25, 2007 - TIME Magazine DAMIAN WILLIAMS Mike Nelson / AFP / Getty Damian Monroe Williams waves to his mother on October 18, 1993, in court. Williams was found guilty of one felony count of mayhem and several misdemeanor counts in the beating of Reginald Denny during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Damian Williams, a former high-school football star, was part of one of the riots' most enduring, excruciating images — the vicious attack of a white truck driver named Reginald Denny. The intesection of Florence and Normandie had already escalated into violence, several hours after residents had heard about the verdicts in the Rodney King beating case, and now unsuspecting drivers on their way to downtown Los Angeles, became the victims of their rage. One of the unluckiest people on this route was Denny, who was oblivious to what was transpiring in the neighborhood. Rioters jumped onto the rig, pulled Denny from the cab of his truck and began to inflict a horrific beating, all recorded from above by a news chopper. Williams bashed Denny's head with a cinderblock, while another rioter, Henry Keith Watson stood on his neck and another spat on him; a motorcyclist even shot at the truck's gas tank, but fortunately missed. Williams was arrested days later, but, after his lawyers successfully argued that he had not intended to kill Denny (saying the prosecutors were scapegoating the two), Williams escaped the most serious charges against him of attempted murder, assault and aggravated mayhem and was convicted instead of only four misdemeanors and simple mayhem. Williams was released after serving four years of his 10-year sentence, but soon found himself back in jail. He was convicted of participating in the 2000 murder of an L.A. drug dealer, and in 2003 was sentenced to 46 years in prison. He is currently serving his sentence at Pelican Bay State Prison, according to California Corrections Department officials. Jesse Singal
Please, Lord, don’t let it happen...GO MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!
Be a riot either way.
> The next “event” is in Orlando.
Ahhh. Across the country from L.A. The LAPD would have difficulty canceling that.
Crowd control for this event can be an all-cavalry operation. Lancers can lead the way, followed by hussars with sabers. Then, if need be, dragoons can dismount to provide needed fire support.
” However, it is a sad reflection on society, that this has to be done. “
Totally agree .
I remember when the Dodgers won the 1959 World Series ( I was a 7 year old CT lad who , for some reason dug the Dodgers ) . My friend and I rode our bikes down Jackson Street yelling out “ The Dodgers won . The Dodgers won ! “ to all the neighbors .
These days I have absolutely NO interest in pro sports . And it baffles me how grownups can work themselves up into such a frenzy over baseball or basketball game / series / whatever .
What a world this is . I for one won’t be sad to see it go . I’m concerned with eternity .
Isn’t it somehow racist for the cops to just assume that there could be trouble???????
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