National Guard Stages Show of Riot Readiness

Jolted by biting criticism of its admittedly slow and chaotic response during last spring’s civil unrest, the National Guard came to town Wednesday to mount a simulated riot mobilization exercise timed to coincide with the volatile federal trial of the four police officers accused of violating Rodney G. King’s civil rights.

But rather than conduct its drills in secret, the Guard invited the world to watch and got an unprecedented response from members of the local and national media eager to document the citizen-soldiers being equipped and deployed as if violence was again overtaking the city.

Allowing the media such access was part of a calculated strategy with extremely high stakes. State and local officials have concluded that by exposing the full force that law enforcement is prepared to use, they are in a far better position to prevent disorder.

It is not just the National Guard. The Los Angeles Police Department has given reporters almost unlimited access to its training drills at Dodger Stadium, and state emergency officials have granted access to the main operations center in Sacramento and provided detailed descriptions of their riot preparations.

In what is amounting to a massive public relations campaign, law enforcement officials say they want to send two messages: that law-abiding citizens should be reassured that there will be no repeat of last spring’s performance by law enforcement and that anyone thinking of rioting should fear the consequences.

“Those who would follow the path of violence must recognize very clearly that the city fathers, the Police Department, Fire Department and all other agencies that are responsible for maintaining peace in the city are committed to that end,” said Deputy Chief Bayan Lewis of the Los Angeles Police Department. “That is why very little of our preparations are being done in secret.”

But some experts and activists believe that this show of muscle has the potential to inflame tensions that already are running high in certain neighborhoods, particularly where police relations remain strained.

“It’s not necessarily an act of provocation, but it certainly fuels the growing mood of confrontation that permeates the city,” said Joe Hicks, executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. “Among some people in the community, a macho posturing will take place and they will see (the police strategy) as a direct challenge and respond to it.”

Hicks added that publicity surrounding drills will not necessarily be persuasive to inner-city residents outraged about their living conditions. “I think there needs to be on the part of the LAPD and National Guard and sheriff a de-escalation of some of this public display because it could be counterproductive,” he said.

“It’s not without that possibility,” said California National Guard spokesman Col. Roger Goodrich. “But there isn’t anything we can do about . . . those people who might cause trouble. . . . What we can control is our response.”

Despite the drawbacks, many students of the criminal justice system view the approach as a shrewd tactical move and a reflection of a more sophisticated use of the media by law enforcement.

In advance of Wednesday’s National Guard call-up, for example, reporters were provided with detailed information about what to expect to maximize coverage opportunities as about 600 troops descended on armories in Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale, Arcadia and Inglewood and at the Los Alamitos Armed Forces Reserve Center.

At the Burbank Armory, many National Guardsmen expressed concern that there could be renewed violence. “I’m sure it’s in the back of everyone’s mind,” said Sgt. John Dominguez, 26, a North Hollywood security guard in civilian life.

Most seemed to accept the media attention as a necessary part of the job. “The media doesn’t bother me,” said Specialist Joe Caico, 20, of Hacienda Heights, a health club manager. “It’s good people know what we’re doing so that they can feel more secure.”

Caico and the other soldiers were decked out in full gear: M-16 rifles, camouflage uniforms, flak jackets, bayonets, batons, helmet shields and ammunition.

Following the plan, a small number of soldiers at each armory, as if ready to hit the streets, were to climb onto trucks, with a Los Angeles County sheriff’s escort at the ready.

“It’s good TV, it’s purposeful. . . . It’s an example of the trend in law enforcement media relations,” said Steve Ward, a law enforcement issues instructor at USC’s School of Public Administration. “A significant part of the whole idea of getting closer to the community is in understanding marketing rather than sales.”

The LAPD’s open-door policy was agreed on ahead of time by the mayor’s office, the City Council, Chief Willie L. Williams and other city leaders, said Deputy Chief Lewis.

Like other citizens last spring, police and city officials watched endless television news reports showing businesses being looted and set afire. They are convinced that the televised mayhem enticed opportunists.

“What we learned as an organization is that we have to respond to the media like the opportunists did,” Lewis said. “Now, we have to convince those opportunists ahead of time to stay at home and watch TV.”

In particular, city officials seem intent on erasing criticism that police backed away from trouble. “There was a shying away and reluctance to move in, and it might have hurt us that much more,” said Councilman Joel Wachs, an early adherent of providing full media coverage of police riot preparations.

National Guard officials also are sensitive to criticism that their response was tentative and timid. This time, they want to show that they are prepared and, simultaneously, head off accusations that they are hiding their intentions, Guard spokesman Goodrich said.

But some experts worry that law enforcement officials may do more harm than good if, in their eagerness to demonstrate preparedness, tactical details are revealed.

“In terms of strategy and tactics, once everything is in place I think you will see questions (about them) very carefully deflected,” said Ward, who also directs security forces and emergency operations at USC. “That’s where you get face to face between law enforcement and whoever is going to start problems.”

Deputy Police Chief Lewis confirmed that the department does “have some new strategies,” but he declined to reveal them.

He did reveal that the LAPD’s main plan is relatively straightforward: Officers will be deployed in full force following the verdicts in both the King trial and in the equally volatile trial, scheduled to start next month, of three young men charged with the attempted murder of trucker Reginald O. Denny.

“We are not going to respond based on how we feel the trial progressed or the testimony came out, but will be out and following our plan no matter how it goes,” Lewis said.