Official statement from attendees at Multi-Agency Summit on Mardi-Gras Violence

PREPARED SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2001

As we have gathered today, we have each shared our own experience in our own cities. The common elements and similarities in events around the country strike us. While we have found those similarities, we have not found a common answer. There is no simple solution to the problems we all faced.

In each of our cities, Austin, Fresno, Philadelphia, and Seattle, we planned ahead, developing tactics and strategies designed to protect public safety, and yet allow people to gather and celebrate. The planning was thorough. Regardless of planning and tactics, each of our cities experienced some type of serious problem, including property destruction and personal injury.

We all witnessed some new and disturbing behavior during the events. Some of the issues we had in common included:

• Large crowds of young people, many of whom were drinking alcohol in large amounts.

• Direct confrontation of police and other lawful authority during the events, ranging from taunting, refusal to follow orders and assaults on each other and on police officers.

• The crowds were not self-policing; attendees did not control each other's behavior; and in some cities the crowd encouraged violent behavior.

• These events were promoted by the media to youth, encouraging people to "come down and party."

• The media's coverage during events served as a magnet for young people and encouraged the crowd to action.

• Extremely violent behavior directed at each other and at police.

• Little or no fear of consequences for their actions by attendees at events

As we discussed what tactics we used, we found that each of us used a different combination, none of them totally successful. Some cities employed barricades to control crowds, or charged admission to events. Some cities had events where beer was not allowed to be sold in cans or bottles, or even sold at all. How officers were placed in the crowd, or on the perimeter, did not change what occurred. Regardless of what tactics were used, either to manage the events beforehand, to control the crowd during the event; or disperse the crowd; the results were the same. This is a complex problem, with many factors and no easy answers.

In the future, we all agree that planning for these events will have to take into account the increased potential for violence, and the refusal by people to behave lawfully. We can no longer assume when we plan for events that large numbers of people will gather peacefully; we must assume that we will face similar behaviors as shown during Mardi Gras.

We will continue to work with our cities and citizens to protect people's safety as well as their right to gather. That is our job and our calling. We are dedicated to protecting our communities. But we call on everyone to work with us to ensure that these events can be safe in the future, and that we address the issue of youth violence.

Participants:

Austin Police Department
• Assistant Chief Rick Coy
• Commander Howard Piatt
• Commander Robert Dahlstrom
  Fresno Police Department
• Captain Marty West
• Lieutenant Andy Hall
  Philadelphia Police Department
• Chief Inspector Frank Pryor
• Captain John Darby
  Portland Police Department
• Captain Larry Ratcliff
• Commander Larry Findling
• Lieutenant Mike Crebbs
• Lieutenant Jim Maciag
• Lieutenant Jay Drum
  Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
• Jim Burack
  Seattle Police Department
• Chief R. Gil Kerlikowske
• Assistant Chief Dan Bryant
• Assistant Chief Clark Kimerer
• Assistant Chief John Diaz
• Assistant Chief John Pirak
• Director Harry Bailey
• Captain Joe Kessler
• Captain Linda Pierce
• Captain Robin Clark
• Captain Bill Moffat
• Lieutenant Steve Paulsen
• Lieutenant Steve Wilske
• Sergeant John Hayes
• Sergeant Jim Scott
• Officer Sean O. Donnell
• Officer Pam McCammon

RELATED

Mardi Gras After Action Report

Multi Agency Mardi Gras Summit Meeting Summary

Map of Operational Area

Official Statement from Summit