LAPD Bans TV News Vans From Sixth Street Following Westlake Unrest
Los Angeles police on Friday announced that television news vans would not be allowed to park on West Sixth Street near South Union Avenue -- an area where clashes between protesters and police erupted following the shooting there of a man who allegedly had a knife. 
Dennis Romero A shrine on Sixth Street Thursday.
Police spokeswoman Rosario Herrera told LA Weekly the restrictions for Friday and Saturday were implemented to quell the crowds that have congregated around the half-dozen or so news vans that lined up along Sixth Street to facilitate live reports from the scene for 10 and 11 p.m. broadcasts.
The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday clashes in the Westlake neighborhood seemed to break out between 9:30 p.m. and 11: p.m. -- coincidentally or not, the about the same time that bright lights from news crews illuminated crowds there and focused on a nearby shrine to the victim of the officer-involved shooting, 37-year-old Guatemalan Manuel Jamines.
Protesters were angered over the shooting: Police said a drunk Jamines had a knife and threatened officers and onlookers; many demonstrators contend he could have been subdued with less-than-lethal force.
"We're just trying to prevent crowds gathering on those streets," Herrera said. "We don't want the crowds to gather and create a tactical alert situation. This is being done so we have access to all the streets also."
The restriction, including no parking signs, applies to about a five-block stretch of Sixth between South Bonnie Brae Street and Loma Drive.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
