Great Wall of McKinley promised, along with more “uncomfortable” policing
Staff Report
Humboldt Sentinel
Arcata will not be a welcoming place to celebrate the birth of the year 2012.
This much was clear from a somewhat vague press release issued from City Hall this afternoon, where the Arcata Police Department will be encouraging a “safe and happy New Year” by cracking down on any display of excessive celebratory cheer in and around the Arcata Plaza.
Among the extraordinary measures, taken without any specific resolution of the City Council, is a gigantic cordon walling off the center of the Plaza, traditionally a point of public gathering, speechifying and protest for decades — especially pre-1990s when a dias of steps surrounded the statue of U.S. President William McKinley, now covered up by planter boxes installed for crowd control purposes. APD chief Tom Chapman promises that entry into the central area of the Plaza will be strictly prohibited and any who approach the statue of McKinley — a President widely condemned for launching an imperialist war which led to the deaths of over 200,000 Filipinos — will be subject to immediate arrest.
“The destruction that occurred on Halloween cannot be tolerated,” Chapman stated, referring to an unruly crowd of Humboldt State University students who vandalized the Plaza area two months ago — an event unlikely to occur when students are away on winter break.
APD promises to step up its presence on the Plaza, and call in other local law enforcement agencies — at great expense to the City — to perform additional patrols and interrogate local residents as to the contents of their bags, purses and backpacks to ensure that no alcohol, glass containers or fireworks are present.
“While some people may be uncomfortable with the increased police presence, the safety of the citizens and officers and the protection of property certainly will require more stringent enforcement,” Chapman stated.
Police promise to arrest anyone discharging fireworks, consuming alcohol or carrying glass containers, emphasizing that all laws will be strictly enforced.
