LAKE VIEW TERRACE : Merchants Urged to Map Readiness Plan

Police have urged merchants in the northeast San Fernando Valley to map out a plan to protect their businesses and employees if rioting erupts in coming weeks, but not take up arms.

“We are not telling you to board up your businesses. We are not telling you to arm yourselves,” Capt. James McBride, the Foothill Division’s commanding officer, said during a meeting of merchants in Lake View Terrace on Wednesday. “We are trying to create an aura of preparedness.”

The meeting was scheduled to let businesses know how they can help themselves in case civil unrest follows the present trial of four Los Angeles Police Department officers accused of violating motorist Rodney G. King’s civil rights. The Foothill Division covers about 10,000 businesses in Pacoima, Sunland, Tujunga, Lake View Terrace, Arleta, Mission Hills and Sylmar.

Some of the 130 business owners who attended peppered the officers with questions on the size of the police contingent, how the National Guard could respond, and whether to take a stand and protect their property.

“You have the right to stay and protect your businesses,” McBride told them, but “we are not encouraging the use of weapons.”

Instead, McBride and other officers encouraged the merchants to set up meetings and share information with neighboring businesses and meet with employees to draft an evacuation plan.

While optimistic that the Foothill Division can quickly control any rioting, McBride warned that officers could be spread thin if the unrest becomes widespread.

“If we do get into an unrest situation, there won’t be enough officers to respond,” McBride said. “We want you to be prepared.”

At least one business owner liked what he heard.

Chuck Weber, owner of CDW Merchandising in Sylmar, said he feels better about the Police Department’s state of readiness this time around.

But if trouble comes, he plans to arm himself and protect his business in the Sylmar Plaza on Foothill Boulevard.

“The response last time was really poor. You have to start thinking about yourself,” Weber said.