LA Tinderbox Fears Violent New Spark

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 4-29-2002 | Oliver Poole

[blam]

LA tinderbox fears violent new spark

(Filed: 29/04/2002)

TEN years after the murderous Rodney King riots, Oliver Poole reports on the lost opportunities in deprived South Central.

Sitting with her cooling latte in the new Starbucks in South Central, 37-year-old Maxine Keys recalls the days when looters ruled the streets and smoke from burning buildings obscured the sky.

"Sitting here now all seems so normal: the sofas, people reading newspapers, drinking coffee," she said.

"But I was driving past here when I saw people picking through stores as if it was Christmas, neighbours I knew running down the street with their arms full, kids throwing stones at cars. You just pray it never happens again."

Ten years ago today the worst civic disturbance in America since the Vietnam war protests consumed South Central after the acquittal of four white policemen filmed beating Rodney King, a black driver stopped for speeding, who is at present in jail for indecent exposure.

By the time the National Guard restored order four days later, entire blocks were reduced to ashes, 55 people were dead, more than 2,300 injured and 10,000 arrested.

To mark the anniversary, vigils and concerts are being held and conferences organised to analyse what happened. President Bush is due to tour the area today and commend those who have worked to ease tension. But few in South Central see much to celebrate.

Their message is one of opportunity lost, of the need to look beyond Starbucks and the fresh paint on many shop fronts.

"The problems are still here and so are the dangers," said the Rev Norman Johnson, the executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Tensions were already high in South Central before the King verdict. The recession sweeping America had punished Los Angeles, with a third of the city's residents living below the poverty line.

Friction between blacks and Koreans, who owned many shops in South Central, was electric. A decade later the Korean community has taken steps towards greater integration and the police have implemented a new complaints procedure.

In 1992, two thirds of officers were white; today black and Hispanic officers make up 47 per cent of the force and whites 45 per cent. The predominantly black neighbourhood that greeted the arrival of the Koreans with such suspicion is more diverse.

But there are still few of the familiar sights of American cities: multiplex cinemas, fast food restaurants or major supermarkets. Starbucks opened only after the intervention of Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the basketball star.

There are boarded-up buildings, many churches with signs promising salvation - and liquor stores. Only one ATM is open after 9pm and that is in the police station.

Average income is $26,873, (£18,533) compared with the national average of $39,235 - a bigger gap than a decade ago. Unemployment is 25 per cent, three times the state average. Community leaders blame the politicians for losing interest when the television cameras left.

Controversy and low morale plague the police department. Its black chief, Bernard Parks, has been refused permission to stand for re-election, infuriating the black community.

The initiatives he implemented to stop harassment led to officers claiming that they could no longer do their job. Hundreds resigned. The force is now 1,100 understaffed and violent crime has jumped by 20 per cent in a year. Gangs are at war again on the streets.

Mr Parks is using his final months in office to issue warnings that a new spark could plunge the district back into violence. "You have a poor education system, a poor health system, a history of violence and lots of drugs," he said. "These things have not changed."

[blam]

"You can be sure of one thing, however, the Korean shop keepers will never caught unarmed again."

If I remember correctly, 62 people died in this riot. Somebody was doing some shooting. I always thought it was the Koreans.

[FITZ]

But I saw hundreds of Latinos rushing out of stores that had been busted open, rushing out with their arms full of appliances and tall boxes of Pampers. It was as though the Latinos had stolen the black riot

Food stamps, welfare, free health care and all the other many freebies are what keeps relative peace. The minute any of those programs are cut, they're not returning to Mexico, they'll be rioting, burning, and looting.

[Sabertooth]

I didn't realize that! 2/3 is amazing!

2/3 was the number I thought recalled hearing on the news reports at the time. However, I did a Google search, and came up with the following...

"The racial breakdown of people arrested was as follows: 51% Latinos, 38% black, 9% Anglos, and 2% Asian Americans or 'other.' "
LINK

"Media focus on African-Americans gave the initial impression that Latinos were only peripherally involved during the events of April 29 to May 2. However media coverage, as well as arrest, deaths, and casualty statistics, have revealed that Latinos were involvement in and deeply affected by the disturbances. Latino involvement should have not been unexpected, the uprising took place in areas of large Latino populations. South Central with 45% Latino up from 20% in 1980; Koreatown and Westlake the population is 49% Latino. These demographics where reflected in other relevant categories that measured the disturbances: of the arrests 51% Latino, of those who died 30% Latino , and up to 40% of the damaged businesses were Latino owned."
LINK

`Many people were surprised to learn that during the riots and rebellion in Los Angeles, 51% of the people arrested were Latinos. In contrast, only 38% were African Americans, 9% were Anglos, and 2% were Asian Americans or "other." Why are people surprised that the majority of the people arrested were Latinos? Perhaps people expected that only African Americans would be outraged by the verdicts.'
LINK

In reality, the percentage of African-Americans arrested was around 40 percent and the percentage of Latinos arrested was just over 50 percent (LA Times, 6/18/92).
LINK

"Initially triggered as the black people’s struggle against the white establishment, the media’s disproportionate spin on the L.A. riots painted it as a grim battle between lawless blacks and money-grubbing, gun-toting Asians. In reality, the truth was far more complicated. A true multi-cultural uprising, the L.A. riots brought blacks, Latinos, to a limited degree, whites, and even a few reported Asians together to sack the city. Selective reporting by the media failed to mention the majority of the looters arrested were Latino and up to 40% of the businesses destroyed were Latino/Chicano-owned."
LINK

So it looks like I was mistaken in the number 2/3... Nevertheless, the majority of those arrested in the Riots were Latino, which the basic point I was making.

As to the numbers of Illegals arrested, I've never seen an authoritative estimate, although during the course of the Google search, I saw a comment indicating the number was about 33% of the total. This seems like a reasonable number to me, as that would leave only 18% of the total arrests as being of Latinos who are either citizens or legal immigrants. I'll try and find a good source on that.

[flamefront]

Friction between blacks and Koreans, who owned many shops in South Central, was electric. A decade later the Korean community has taken steps towards greater integration and the police have implemented a new complaints procedure. In 1992, two thirds of officers were white; today black and Hispanic officers make up 47 per cent of the force and whites 45 per cent. The predominantly black neighbourhood that greeted the arrival of the Koreans with such suspicion is more diverse.

Funny they obviously make no mention of Korean/Asian police.

I find it very reacially curious that most all these article neglect to mention much now about the Koreans even though they lost half the estimated $1 billion in damage by rioters.

Sad.

[Lion's Cub]

Thanks for your research in #43.

When it happens again, I suspect the figures will be much higher.

[deadhead]

"We'll never see the likes of Wade Boggs atop an NYPD pony ever again."

We probably won't, it was a great moment in Baseball History.

[skeeter]

'...Perhaps people expected that only African Americans would be outraged by the verdicts.'

This line kills me. The epitome of self delusion.

[4Freedom]

Our open borders policy, of the last few decades, has allowed the 3rd world to export their future riots and social unrest to our streets.

We've allowed the Marxists, to our south, to plant a ticking time bomb in every major American city.

We have to militarize our borders and begin ordering these illegals to return to their home countries.

[Great Dane]

"This ain't my neighborhood, I just live here, man."

Good quote to keep in mind, should be mentioned often.

[harpseal]

When the next riot happens there is one solution for looters it involves the use of accurate rifle fire and perhaps some full auto bursts from that LAPD RV with armor and the M-60. A few rioters jit with several rounds of 7.62mm Nato will do a lot towards discouraging others from participating. Of course the police department will not engage in such activity.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[Wolfie]

Yep, its a tinderbox. I hope the jury in the Robert Blake trial does the right thing, or it might just go up in flames.

[geege]

And that CNN and MSNBC have nothing better to do then televise the anniversary...every half hour......that's something that we want to remember??????????????????

[blam]

"Of course the police department will not engage in such activity."

You're not suggesting....

[Squantos]

Lost Opportunity eh...........LMAO !

I was "educated" yesterday when a fellow freeper and I had dinner. Seems there is a little program out and about that "bribes" minorities to get their GED with a 500 dollar reward.

But wait.....that's not the kewl part. That same program will pay their first 6 months salary for employers who'll hire em in these "depressed" areas aka south central LA etc etc......

Your tax dollars at work. Wonder how many of these's poor individuals are "fired" after their 6th month and a new one is hired....of course with his/her first 6 months salary paid again in a profitable and endless cycle that profits the business owners with your tax dollars.

Heck ....I'd suspect once these pogues are fired/laid off/let go they fall under some other unemployment /welfare program. Friggin Professional Bum's among us ...........Funded by socialist goobermint beancounting criminals supporting their lazy counterparts......

Sorry for the rant......Stay Safe !

[Travis McGee]

Rule 308 bump.

[harpseal]

You're not suggesting....

I am suggesting nothing merely stating facts. During the last LA riots the police department had some exellent weaponry that could have quelled any rioting within minutes. They chose not to use that weaponry thus sending many innocents to hospitals. I would state that clearly they were derelict in their duty at the time had several hundred rioters and looters been shot in the act a great many others would rationally have concluded that the risk of death was to great to continue rioting

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[blam]

" I would state that clearly they were derelict in their duty at the time had several hundred rioters and looters been shot in the act a great many others would rationally have concluded that the risk of death was to great to continue rioting"

I whole-heartedly agree!!

[Timesink]

I heard a similar whine on NPR's Marketplace "business" show. I wonder what business insurance costs in the 'hood.

NPR's "Marketplace" is produced in Los Angeles. Wanna guess what neighborhood their studios are NOT in? Hypocrites.

[FreedomFriend]

Yes, that shocked me as rather disgraceful.