From this morning’s OPD bulletin:
We are investigating numerous reports and instances of vandalism this morning following last night’s weekly Occupy Oakland related “FTP” march.
Four broken windows and spray paint damage were found inside City Center (Starbuck’s, Patelco Credit Union, Scott’s Trade, Quizno’s, Savoy Bail Bonds), and nearby downtown businesses were spray painted along Broadway, including Well’s Fargo and the Clorox Building.
Persons wearing black clothing and backpacks were observed committing acts of vandalism and then retreating into the nearby, marching crowd. Officers were unable to make arrests. Although some wore masks to conceal their identity, others are identifiable. Several of these acts of vandalism and suspects were captured on video surveillance.
Past, recent marches have been largely peaceful with only a few isolated crimes and arrests. The Department had scaled back resources for these weekly events in light of the absence of associated criminal activity, and the need to provide public safety resources elsewhere in the City.
I know you’ll say these vandals are not part of Occupy, but unless you weed them out and refuse to allow them to march, this will continue. As you can see, they’ve attacked small businesses, as well as Wells and Clorox, two of Oakland’s biggest employers. Vandalism accomplishes nothing but trashing our city and costing the taxpayers money that should be going to schools, parks, libraries and so much more. We don’t want a large police presence deployed to downtown again. Please police these marches if you must continue to have them. There are better ways to spend your time doing useful things in Oakland and I’ll be happy to be specific, but if you must march, have zero tolerance for the vandals. It’s obvious who they are. Don’t protect vandals. It diminishes us all.
We don’t “weed out” people who damage property. Rather we shun those who collaborate with or contribute to the media smear campaign of our opponents.
It’s hard to tell where the OPD bulletin ends and your opinion begins. That should be the first sign that something is seriously wrong with your perspective.
It’s clear you want us to make the cops’ job easier.
It’s clear you haven’t read the guidelines for the FTP march because most of what is described above is within those guidelines.