[sixties-l] Fwd: Tom Hayden Questions $4 Million for Democratic Convention

From: radman (resist@best.com)
Date: Tue Jun 06 2000 - 00:04:14 CUT

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    >Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2000 22:07:32 -0500 (CDT)
    >From: Michael Eisenscher <meisenscher@igc.org>
    >Subject: LAPD Gets $ Millions for Dem Convention Crowd Control Gear
    >
    >Published on Saturday, June 3, 2000 in the Los Angeles Times
    >Tom Hayden Questions $4 Million For LAPD's Democratic Convention 'Crowd
    >Control' Gear
    >by Dan Morain
    >
    >SACRAMENTO - A state senator Friday called for a new hearing on a
    >$4-million request by the California Highway Patrol to pay for crowd
    >control at the Democratic National Convention, while the head of the CHP
    >said he was surprised to learn about some of the items included in the
    >budget request.
    >D.O. "Spike" Helmick said a two-page request for crowd control equipment
    >that is part of the $4 million came from the Los Angeles Police Department,
    >and that when he appeared before a Senate budget committee two weeks ago
    >seeking the money, he believed it was primarily for personnel and some
    >equipment. He was not aware of what the equipment was, he said.
    >
    >"This is clearly a list submitted to us by LAPD," Helmick said Friday after
    >being shown a detailed listing of the LAPD's request.
    >
    >The list includes a paper shredder and mountain climbing equipment, as well
    >as pepper spray and tear gas and guns to launch the canisters.
    >
    >Law enforcement officials have expressed concerns that the convention, to
    >be held in Los Angeles, could be the site of protests like those earlier
    >this year in Seattle and Washington. Some have warned that there could be
    >terrorist attacks.
    >
    >However, Helmick said little of the equipment appears vital to the CHP's
    >main mission during the convention: keeping freeways open and ensuring that
    >dignitaries can get to and from the convention safely.
    >
    >"I haven't got a clue why they would ask for that [paper shredder],"
    >Helmick said. "I will find out."
    >
    >A Los Angeles police spokeswoman said she was unaware of the rationale.
    >"We're directing all calls about that to the CHP. They're the ones handling
    >it," Capt. Sharyn Buck said Friday.
    >
    >The list also includes gas guns that shoot beanbag-like projectiles used to
    >control demonstrators.
    >
    >The CHP budget request includes bomb detection equipment and protective
    >vests, plus 39 video cameras and 39 bolt and pipe cutters used to dislodge
    >protesters who chain themselves to poles.
    >
    >The CHP and LAPD are among the law enforcement agencies represented in
    >regular planning meetings for the convention. But Helmick said he does not
    >know why the LAPD requisition list was given to the CHP, why many of the
    >items were included or why state money is being sought.
    >
    >"They're clearly going to have to explain it, or the question will be
    >revisited, I can assure you," Helmick said.
    >
    >Helmick said that as far as he is concerned, none of the material will be
    >"utilized unless it is absolutely necessary. These folks have a right to be
    >heard."
    >
    >The CHP's request is one of thousands buried in the $100-billion spending
    >plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. It attracted Sen. Tom Hayden's
    >attention because he sits on a budget subcommittee that oversees the CHP,
    >and because of his history of being put on trial for leading protests at
    >the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago.
    >
    >The Los Angeles Democrat said the police request suggests they will
    >overreact to protesters at the convention in Los Angeles, and he wrote a
    >letter Friday calling on the Legislature's budget committee to reopen
    >discussions about the $4-million item.
    >
    >"The request was made in a way that smacks of being covert," Hayden said.
    -end-



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