Police Try to Stem Outbreak of Violence in Westwood

Los Angeles police officers in riot gear swarmed the Westwood theater and restaurant district Friday, responding to an outbreak of street vandalism during the opening-night showing of the movie “New Jack City,” police and witnesses said.

Witnesses said a rowdy crowd broke windows in several retail stores. Police from the West Los Angeles division declared a “tactical alert,” summoning officers from other divisions as they worked to restore order shortly before midnight.

The disturbance occurred as lines formed at the Mann Westwood Fourplex Theater, which was showing the movie, a tough drama about cocaine deals in Harlem.

Witnesses said about 200 youths shouted “black power” and “this is a black thing” as they broke into a bicycle shop, a clothing store and several other businesses along Gayley Avenue.

Sgt. Scott Slinkard said police had declared an unlawful assembly as a phalanx of officers prepared to clear the streets of unruly youths. Police closed several streets in the area to traffic.

One witness reported seeing a man, a motorcyclist, being beaten by several youths. The witness said many of the youths seemed angered by the heavy police presence, which included at least 20 patrol cars. Several people were injured and Fire Department paramedics were summoned to treat them.