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Long Beach Police Prepare For A Bash Mob Today
Photo by carl ballou via Shutterstock
Long Beach police are warning residents that there might be a bash mob today, in which a group of people get together with the sole intention of committing crimes like theft, assault and property damage, reports City News Service.
A similar event took place on July 9, in the Pike and City Place area of downtown Long Beach. While investigating that event, cops found out that another one was planned for today at 2:00 p.m.
CBS2 reports that during the July 9 event, one person was arrested and a number of businesses reported property damage.
A similar event also took place in Hollywood earlier this week, when over 40 young people took to the streets and robbed pedestrians as well as businesses. Authorities initially thought that the mob was in response to George Zimmerman's not guilty verdict in the case of Trayvon Martin.
Long Beach Police Department Sgt. Aaron Eaton told City News Service that officers are not taking the threat of another mob today lightly.
"The Long Beach Police Department takes this issue very seriously and will be prepared to arrest anyone whose intent is to commit criminal acts,'' he said. "We will continue to support everyone's right to free speech and assembly. However, the police must also protect the safety of those victims targeted by these 'bash mobs.'''
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