Park's Park Politics?

MASSIVE UPDATE: COUNCILMEMBER PARKS DENIES INVOLVEMENT AND CALLS FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER!!! (See story at LA Daily Blog.com.) But I am leaving the original allegations regarding Park's involvement because that is the talk that was being bantied about in the media and public opinion, and is the reason Parks is quick to be seen calling for this investigation. (I was told by his office they are aware of how his name is being associated with this event in the media.)

Inspector General Zuma Dogg has completed his initial investigation into the police encounter the Shaw family experienced this past Sunday at Leimert Park in Board of County Supervisor candidate (and current LA City Councilmember) Bernard Park's district.

Much has been said and speculated, so ZD got on the phone and started aksing some question, myself, to try and clarify some details.

DETAILS:

The police activity at Leimert Park this past Sunday was part of a task force, put together by the City Attorney's office, in response to complaints from community business owners and residents regarding "illegal vending" (although all criminal activity was part of the "task," too).

It was a County wide effort including both LAPD (who denied any "contact" with the Shaws); General Services Officers (a separate "police force" started by LA City in 2004 to patrol city property like City Hall, public buildings and the parks); plus other county agencies.

HOWEVER, no motorcycles or helicopters were part of the order from the City Attorney's office and those resources were not included in the briefing before the event.

Zuma Dogg was told by one of the involved agencies that there was a traffic accident later in the afternoon, and the LAPD motorcycle cops were responding to that and were not used in the "illegal vending" park sweep.

It was not confirmed whether the helicopter was there for the accident, but it was NOT there in conjunction with this task force. (And although ZD was not there as an eyewitness, conceptually I can believe this, because even if the REAL reason to do the sweep WAS to target the Shaws specifically for whatever reason -- I DON'T THINK THEY NEED OR WOULD CALL IN A HELICOPTER!)

Which brings me to the next point: WOW, did this backfire on the City! Cause now helicopters and motorcycle cops are all part of the public perception, and the City is claiming it was just a coincidence the Shaws were there when the task force swept in and that they wouldn't target the Shaws (claiming they did not know who they were when they approached the table).

So now what would have been a great PR event for cracking down on illegal vending turned into the City looking like they were targeting and harassing the Shaw gathering in the media and minds of the public.

But of course common belief is that this was not about a wave of complaints about illegal vendors taking over Leimert Park, causing Councilmember Parks to contact the City Attorney's office to take action; but because the Shaws are KNOWN to be there every Sunday.

Ron Kaye mentioned to Zuma Dogg (I called Ron to tell him what I heard and for his experienced take) and he said the same thing ZD's source actually told me; the request probably came from a community prosecutor or neighborhood level. (But as Althea Shaw has stated, she was told, any complaints...call Councilmember Parks, he knows about this.) So that would mean CM Parks' name may even be part of the City Attorney request (doubt it though). AND, I was told that the Shaws' name was not mentioned anywhere in the briefing.

But I'm sure your reaction will be the same as Ron Kaye's: "So the police didn't have to know who were pulling their strings." And based on what I was told by one of my sources during my investigation; it didn't come from as high up as the mayor's office. But from the "district level." (So maybe some readers may feel the mayor put Park up to it, or was in cahoots with Parks, but for the purpose of this investigation, based on my time and resources, this came from the Council District level.)

Zuma Dogg spoke with a police officer with knowledge of the event, and I aksed, "Well if it is a task force targeting illegal vending (and other violations/crime), why did you approach the Shaws and why didn't you move on, once Jamiel Shaw, Sr. informed you as to who they were and why they were there?"

Response: First of all, the source claims officers did not know who they were when they were approached for having their table blocking a walkway. (Again, I wasn't there; but blocking means obstructing others from passing. NOT just taking space where you preferred they did not.)

But for arguments sake, the table was BLOCKING the path. When told about it, the Shaws agreed to move, but the area they pointed to was no good either. (And maybe it wasn't. I know what they pull at Venice Beach -- and this all sounds like the same routine.)

But at Venice Beach, the cops will AKS you to move the table, first. THEN, if you say, "I kinda like it here, I'm not moving" -- THEN they will aks for your ID and issue a written warning. After that, if they come back and you are still there, you will be arrested.

So why no warning and straight to, "ID and Social Security number?" Warnings are at officers' discretion and since this was a "task force" no warnings were given, cause they were trying to get people's info for future encounters and lay down the line.

But why didn't they just move on when they found out it was only the Shaws doing signature gathering, if they simply moved their table? (Since I was told it was ONLY about the table, even though some water and food items [bagged chips)] may have been discussed, too?)

Zuma Dogg was told, then they get complaints from others that the police are not enforcing things equally and are only targeting some people. (Zuma Dogg would have told the people who complain that they were only gathering signatures, not illegal vending or any other illegal act the task force was targeting.)

So to put the best spin on this: Due to complaints from the community regarding illegal vending (and other possible illegal activity/nuisances to the community) taking place in Leimert Park during the weekend, the City Attorney responded to the district's request (probably Councilmember Parks) and sent a county wide task force into the park to sweep through and bust up the crime and inform violators to the laws and how they are being violated. (They do this at Venice Beach from time to time, too, regarding the vendors on the beach side.)

But I'm sure most readers feel the worst spin is that Councilmember Bernard Parks (who is running for Board of County Supervisors and Mayor Antonio is behind the campaign) contacted the City Attorney's office to send over a task force that did not include helicopters or motorcycles to try and swat the Shaw Family signature gathering out of the high profile park. And if you were to crack down on illegal vending, this isn't exactly very high up on the list of illegal vending spots in the city. BUT THIS, is the issue the City is rushing to the rescue to take care of with a county wide task force. Man, I'm just glad those helicopters werent' there for it!

ZumaTimes.com
ZumaDogg@Mayor09.com