With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
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.
SaMo Police Spent $3K on Critical Mass Operations
()
Photo by Alex Thompson via Flickr
For over a year, Critical Mass and the Santa Monica Police Department have been at odds and last month at their monthly ride, an unusual amount of officers monitored the ride of approximately 150 cyclists. A total of 16 officers were assigned to the ride costing the city $3,067.88, according to documents obtained by LAist in a public records request. Nine citations were written for various violations such as not having a headlight.
"This unauthorized event creates a public safety concern due to the fact the group fails to adhere to traffic laws, believing that it is their right to take over the roadways with little or no regard for vehicles or pedestrians," wrote Lt. Keane in an interdepartmental communication to Sgt. Horne, who was in charge of the operation.
Support for LAist comes from
"Citations will be issued whenever practical and arrests made if appropriate," Keane continued. "You should expect to be video taped and tape recorded by members of the group. All contacts should be brief with an explanation of charges."
Reports on blogs, including LAist, told of cyclists who said they were cited for violations like no having no headlight per the state vehicle code or passing a car as it made a left turn, which Damien Newton at Streetsblog LA argues is "completely legal."
"Our perspective is as long as they obey the rules of the road, then we're okay," explained Lt. Keane in a follow up phone call about her August written communication. "But when they are running the stop signs and lights, then we have to step in. We don't have a problem with Critical Mass and we don't have a problem in what they are doing in regards to promoting bicycle riding--we are not opposed to that. Our problem is when they are in such massive numbers, they tend to take over the roadway which makes it dangers for everyone on the road."
As for tonight, she said there will probably be some police presence out there, but was not sure to what extent. In her August letter, she wrote that "the important thing for each member of the Santa Monica Police Department to remember is to treat everyone with respect and as you would have your family treated by police."
Critical Mass meets tonight at 6:30p.m. near the cannon at the top of the Santa Monica Pier at the intersection of Colorado & Ocean.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
Best of LAist