This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Despite the unruly celebratory behavior witnessed, the crowd control Sunday night after the Lakers win was considered a success by the LAPD, reported the LA Times. A new tactic was to "remove the rabble-rousers, push larger crowds into marginal areas and chase smaller groups until they disperse" in order to limit injuries and property damage all while not reviving the horrid use of force images from the May Day Melee in 2007.
When revelers were chaotic after the 2000 Lakers win, the police were criticized for not responding with force, which led to scenes such as May Day and the Democratic Convention.
We like the non-escalation, more peaceful tactic--we just hope that the department analyzes what happened and how to improve their reaction for next time so even less damage is done.