Council Is Urged to Remove Barriers Around Civic Center

Despite the latest FBI alert against terrorism, pressure is building at Los Angeles City Hall to remove barricades that have closed streets around city offices and the Parker Center police headquarters.

A City Council committee voted Wednesday to recommend that the full council open the streets after additional security measures are added. The council will take up the proposal next Wednesday, said committee Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas.

In addition, the committee agreed that planters should replace the unsightly concrete barriers now installed on the sidewalks around municipal buildings.

Security at City Hall, police headquarters and the Civic Center area in general has been costing about $80,000 a month, according to Jon Kirk Mukri, manager of the General Services Department.

City Controller Laura Chick and two council members, Tom LaBonge and Jack Weiss, have spoken out in the last two days in favor of lifting the barricades, contending they waste resources.

Before the committee met, a Police Department spokesman said Chief Bernard C. Parks opposes the step, at least until March 11, when the latest FBI security advisory is scheduled to end.

“The same concerns that we have had about terrorism still exist and, though it may inconvenience a couple of people, our underlying obligation is to protect the people of this community,” said Lt. Horace Frank.

But some contend that the expense and personnel devoted to monitoring traffic and staffing the barricades amount to lessening protection elsewhere in the city.

“While I think the threat of terrorism in the country remains real, I think maintaining the barricades around three city buildings in downtown Los Angeles is an inappropriate use of resources that could better be used protecting the public at large,” Weiss said.

LaBonge said he fears the barricades may discourage the public from entering city buildings. And “I don’t think the City Hall should be protected more than 123 Elm Street,” he added. “I think we should be consistent throughout the city.... I respect the interest and concern of law enforcement, but I think there’s a better way, and I have to feel that if someone wishes to hurt us, unfortunately, they’ll find a way.”

Chick agreed, contending that money spent on extra Civic Center security “could better be used in our neighborhoods and parks.”

Mayor James K. Hahn has voiced similar sentiments in the past, said Deputy Mayor Matt Middlebrook.

“It’s expensive to provide this security.... We do not want to see the present situation last, so we’re moving our way through the process, and opening the streets is being talked about internally,” Middlebrook said.

Late last year, Hahn pressed successfully for a lifting of some security barriers at Los Angeles International Airport, where some terminal evacuations have still continued intermittently when suspicious objects are seen. One lasted an hour at three terminals Wednesday morning.

Elsewhere in California, some streets remain blocked off near the footings of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. In Sacramento, the Legislature is debating some additional security precautions at the state Capitol.

Wednesday’s council committee vote, held in closed session, was unanimous, with Ridley-Thomas and Dennis Zine the only two members present. They also recommended that parking restrictions and security cameras be added in the Civic Center area.

Ridley-Thomas said, “I think this is the consensus position and the police chief will agree with it. It’s both security-conscious and constituent-friendly.”

Speaking for Parks, Lt. Frank said the chief will review the situation and may alter his position.