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."
BTTT
Lakers win.
There’s no one left to notice a riot in Detroit.
let the riots begin
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.