LAPD chief orders L.A.'s Ferguson protesters released in time for Thanksgiving dinner

[Live and Learn]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Prisoners who remained in Los Angeles jails Thursday after being arrested in connection with protests against the grand jury decision in Ferguson, Mo., will be released in time for Thanksgiving dinner, according to L.A. police.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck ordered that the approximately 90 people still jailed as of Thursday afternoon be released on their own recognizance.

“We have every legal right to keep them until they post bail," Cmdr. Andrew Smith told the Los Angeles Times, "but in light of the holiday … [Beck] called and said he wants everybody who is eligible for release to be released by dinner time."

Before being released from jails in downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and South L.A, prisoners will have to sign a promise to appear in court, but they will not have to post any bail money, Smith said. Any protesters with warrants out for their arrest will not be eligible, he added.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-ferguson-protests-thanksgiving-jail-20141127-story.html

[Turbineguy]

1. Smart play

[shenmue]

3. Yep

[JDPriestly]

2. I'm proud to be an Angeleno.

That was a smart decision.

Why should the city or county be serving Thanksgiving dinner to the demonstrators who are standing up for what LA stands for -- a fair chance for everybody. Let them go home to their families and enjoy their Thanksgiving with their loved ones.

This is a Blue state and a Blue city, and we are proud of that.

Today, I am thankful that I live in LA and that Beck is our police chief. Sounds weird and doesn't mean everything is perfect all the time. But this was a good decision.

[jaysunb]

9. +1 I totally agree

We're a long way from perfect, but living here among 15+ million people from every place on the planet in relatively peace and harmony is a testament to itself.

Happy Thanksgiving

[dballance]

4. He's a hell of a lot smarter than the Ferguson police chief. /nt

[Live and Learn]

5. Well, that is not saying much. lol nt

[Rincewind]

13. I have a tree stump

in my back yard that is a hell of a lot smarter than the Ferguson police chief.

[Louisiana1976]

6. That's good news.

[Live and Learn]

7. Yep, something to be thankful for today at least. nt

[grahamhgreen]

8. And THAT"S doing it properly:)

[Downwinder]

10. 90 people @ $200 per day saving $18,000

[SoapBox]

11. As the ACLU said, the "bulk" arrests were not legal, despite what the Chief said...

There are certainly multiple aspects to this release...and while I actually do NOT side with the protestors that are assholes, this is probably an OK move. The ones that blocked freeways and destroyed property get ZERO support from our household.

I also wonder how much money it would cost to hold them and how much overtime/holiday pay officers/guards would haul in.

[KingCharlemagne]

12. Yesterday evening, the LAPD was taunting Angelenos by saying the protesters

Last edited Thu Nov 27, 2014, 10:33 PM - Edit history (1)

would not get an initial appearance before Monday if they could not post bail. They were doing this when it was too late to contact City councilcritters by phone. But methinks someone high up in the power structure must have gotten through to them about their horrible optics and audio in their gloating.

[indepat]

14. Wonder if any of the 900 were arrested merely for exercising their 1st Amendment

rights, or is that now a crime?