It would be nice if someone got a copy of
the Police-Only version of the city's flyer
and say forwarded it to cryptome..
City Employee Booklets Draw Criticism
Security: Officials decry lists of
delegates'
hotels and casual instructions on dealing
with tear gas.
By TINA DAUNT, Times Staff Writer
Local law enforcement officials
coordinating security for the Democratic
National Convention issued booklets to Los
Angeles city employees this week listing all
the hotels where hundreds of delegates are
staying and tidbits on how to deal with
such issues as bomb threats, suspicious
packages and tear gas exposure.
"Our role in the DNC 2000 is to ensure a
safe and orderly environment for this
historic event," Mayor Richard Riordan
wrote to employees in one version of the
pamphlet. "This challenge provides us with
the opportunity to demonstrate our
professionalism while excelling at all
levels."
But some City Hall insiders said they
were alarmed to find that tear gas exposure
was casually mentioned, along with
common health hazards like sunburns and
heat cramps. For weeks, city officials have
expressed concern that police and
protesters will engage in violent clashes
during the convention.
"It's like, 'Welcome to L.A., bring your
gas mask,' " said one official.
Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas also
questioned the wisdom of listing the
delegates' hotels.
"Why on one hand do you give
instructions about tear gas and on the other
hand you blatantly publicize where
delegates will be housed?" Ridley-Thomas
said. "It doesn't really demonstrate a
sophistication with respect to a security
plan, does it?"
The Democratic National Convention
Planning Group--headed by the Los
Angeles Police Department--handed out
two versions of the booklet, one for sworn
officers and the other for civilians.
The police version includes a section on
the problems the "anarchists" caused during
the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting
in Seattle and an overview of mass arrest
procedures.
Officers are also urged to bring an extra
uniform "in case of extended deployment to
a DNC-related incident."
LAPD Cmdr. David Kalish, a
department spokesman, said the booklets
were intended as "informational material
for concerned representatives" of the city.
"If people get asked questions by
delegates or visitors, they will have the
information," Kalish said. "They'll also
have the information that is relative to their
own situations."
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/elect2000/pres/demconven/lat_gas000811.htm
