Seattle Press on Line - Mayoral candidates on police conduct at large public events

Mayoral candidates on police conduct at large public events

Sep 13, 2001 -- Seattle Press: How will you, as Mayor, instruct the police to handle the next anniversary of WTO? Mardi Gras?

Charlie Chong: First: plan for contingency situations and bring the plans to me for review. Second: get the equipment needed for those plans. Third: conduct simulations or exercises to test and to train. I will personally observe some of these training exercises. Fourth: the guiding rules are that each police officer, or supervising officer is expected to use best judgment as to what is the right thing to do or not do, but decisions are subject to review and possible correction afterwards. The plans will call for relief and support services for on-duty officers. Be firm and fast in dealing with law-breakers, including those blocking emergency vehicle routes, but use courtesy and compassion as if they were family. Don't let taunting get you down, laugh at them.

Max Englerius: I believe that police were remiss in not apprehending the rowdies breaking windows etc quickly enough during WTO. I would instruct that only lawbreakers or dangerous troublemakers would be accosted in any way in a peaceful and lawful assembly, and that the primary focus of police would be to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles to get through.
As far as Mardi Gras, I would instruct more uniformed and undercover officers walking the beat in the area. I would also look into an ordinance prohibiting convicted muggers, drug dealers, pickpockets or other bunco artists from frequenting the area.

Bob Hegamin: I will not micromanage the police or any other city department. As Mayor, I will be restructuring government by requesting the resignation of all department heads, who will be given the opportunity to apply for their vacated job.
It is my contention that City Hall is responsible for handling the observance of the two events. Normal procedures dealing with such anniversary events will be followed. I do not expect the City to deal with the WTO or Mardi Gras anniversaries any differently.
The police have established guidelines to deal with "anniversary" events. On taking over the job of Mayor, I will review such police guidelines to assure myself that all procedures are constitutional, and I expect the chief of police to observe the "rule of law" to protect the general population.

Richard Lee: The mayor needs to be “out front” that he will take full responsibility for these sorts of events, and not pretend that the safety issues are somehow out of his range of concern, or just too hard for his brain to process. My opinion is that both events, the WTO riots and Mardi Gras riots, were deliberate creations of the Seattle Police Department, which seems to see horrific acts of violence as its stock-in-trade. This needs to change, with a more responsible Mayor, City Council, and a citizen’s review board giving thorough oversight to the SPD. The Seattle Police Guild, the labor union, should not be the dominant player in these issues, as is the case now.

Greg Nickels: I have always supported further training for police officers to handle any crisis and I will insure tat our police force is always prepared.

Paul Schell: Peaceful, law-abiding freedom of expression [is] welcome on the streets of Seattle. Law-breaking and infringing on the rights and safety of others is not. I have instructed our Police Chief that when and if such behavior arises it should be met with a swift and certain response.

Mark Sidran: The WTO anniversary and Mardi Gras are two different kinds of problems. WTO is a demonstration or protest that should be accommodated under the First Amendment by issuing a permit for a particular place during a particular time. I will instruct the police to be prepared and to use their judgment so that unpermited activities (blocking streets not covered by the permit, vandalism, etc.) are not allowed. Mardi Gras has been a for-profit event sponsored by liquor-licensed clubs. If there is another Mardi Gras, I will require the sponsors to have a security plan to protect their patrons and the public using both private security and the police, and to pay for it. In the absence of such an agreement with the City, I will work with State Liquor Control Board and the police to make sure the laws are enforced—including occupancy limits, no public drinking, no underage drinking, and no blocking public rights of way. No permits will be issued for public spaces without reasonable security requirements being met.

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