Minor disturbance reported

Sally Ann Stewart;Jonathan T. Lovitt

07/11/1991

USA Today

FIRST CHASE

Page 03A

LOS ANGELES - Shock waves from a report card on the nation's second- largest

police force rippled across this city Wednesday.

A day after the Christopher Commission released its 228-page report criticizing

the LAPD, one disturbance was reported between police and bystanders after a

gang-related shooting in a predominantly black neighborhood.

``There was some resistance,'' said police Lt. Mark Ulis. ``People were

interfering.'' More than 40 officers arrived to quell the melee.

Andre Floyd, a neighborhood resident, said people got in pushing and shoving

matches with officers because they were distraught over the shooting of a

17-year-old.

``They (police) couldn't understand, these people were upset,'' Floyd said.

City residents also flooded radio talk shows with calls.

``I watched police arresting a guy outside our store,'' said optician Dallas

Hopkins. ``They saw me watching, too. And I think they held back.''

Seven of 14 City Council members said Chief Daryl Gates should retire.

Minority and civil-rights groups held press conferences to talk about the LAPD's

``siege mentality.'' The commission released an 83-page addendum with

hundreds of in-car computer messages sent by cops. Examples:

- ``Did you arrest the 85-yr old lady or just beat her up.''

- ``Nothing but wetbacks no speaky English and ugly.''

- ``My shooting policy is based on nationality and looks.''

``It used to be that you could ask a policeman directions,'' says church deacon

John Eugene, 59. ``Now, if you approach them, the first thing they do is reach

for their gun.''

Police union president George Aliano said he's been swamped with police calling

for copies of the report. Many were shaken by its contents.

``It hasn't made my job any easier,'' said Officer Suzy Regan. But like most

officers, she was standing by the chief. Detective Mike Brox applauded release

of the computer transcripts. ``Some of the things that I've seen over the

computers are appalling.''

Said Danny Goldberg, of the American Civil Liberties Union, ``As painful as

this is for L.A., I think that in the future, this will be seen as a historic turning

point. All of a sudden, this is no longer just minorities. This is a consensus.''

RESIDENT: John Eugene, 59, says once `you could ask a policeman directions.

Now, the first thing they do is reach for their gun.'

PHOTO;b/w,Bob Riha Jr.,Gamma Liaison