Police chief in Las Cruces discusses law enforcement strategies during weekend demonstrations
FIREARMS AND FUROR IN LAS CRUCES:
The heated clash over police presence at peaceful demonstrations
LAS CRUCES - At a Las Cruces City Council meeting this week, Dylan Davis aired his grievances, "For three hours, children were at this event with guns pointed at them. What happened Friday night was nothing more than a terrifying show of force, sending a clear message that there was no intention to protect us."
Residents lashed out at the police presence during a Friday evening protest that preceded the "No Kings" demonstration over the weekend.
Hailed as peaceful protests, held just a day apart at Albert Johnson Park, the stark contrast in police presence couldn't be more evident. The location, a prominent intersection near the state district court, City Hall, the public library's main branch, and numerous businesses, saw a significant shift in law enforcement tactics.
On Saturday, the "No Kings" demonstration, which attracted over 2,000 protesters against the Trump administration, saw limited police presence. Bicycle officers roamed the park, interacting with participants, even assisting one fallen participant. A few officers remained close to City Hall, but the majority maintained a discreet presence.
However, on Friday evening, roughly 200 gathered to denounce mass deportation and the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency. In the absence of uniformed officers in the park, demonstrators observed SWAT sharpshooters stationed on the roofs of nearby locations – a fire station, the Las Cruces Police Department headquarters, and the Branigan Memorial Library. The presence of long guns, pointed in the direction of the demonstrators, sparked unease and anger among participants.
Lucas Herndon, one of the protesters, shared his thoughts with the Journal, "Friday's actions were a peaceful celebration of community, yet the armed, uniformed agents of the state created exactly the terror we aim to denounce. LCPD proved our point."
When approached, one sharpshooter reportedly swore at the demonstrators and told them to disperse. Some speakers felt threatened, leaving the demonstration. Others questioned the lack of communication from the police, especially given the proximity of police headquarters.
LCPD Chief Jeremy Story justified the armed presence on Friday, citing potential threats communicated through social media regarding the weekend demonstrations. He implied that the police had been dispatched to safeguard their safety.
When asked about communication, Story admitted that while a permit wasn't required for peaceful demonstrations, the organizers of Saturday's demonstration had established a point of contact for the police.
City councilor Johana Bencomo, who criticized the Friday night sharpshooter deployment as crossing a line, proposed a new protocol for safeguarding protests.
In the aftermath of the Young Park mass shooting last March, Story acknowledged the public backlash regarding the police's handling of the tragedy and the visibility of the rifles' contribution to the demonstrators' unease. He emphasized the role of the police in preventing violence to ensure the exercise of First Amendment rights.
The controversy surrounding the police presence at the peaceful demonstrations in Las Cruces is rooted in broad concerns regarding the militarization of law enforcement responses to otherwise peaceful events, fueling ongoing discussions about community trust and appropriate law enforcement tactics during protests.
- The escalating tension between residents and the Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) over the perceived excessive use of force during protests, such as the displayed firearms during the 'No Kings' demonstration, has sparked discussions about the militarization of general-news and political events, causing concern for the public's trust in law enforcement.
- As the business community in Las Cruces grapples with dip status and broader concerns about public safety, the news of the heated clash between police and demonstrators during the 'No Kings' protest has brought the issue of police tactics during news events to the forefront, potentially impacting local businesses and the overall community sentiment.
