A police officer on a bike watches over protesters Sunday.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Philadelphia police and other law enforcement agencies said they don’t want to make arrests during the Democratic National Convention but they will be prepared.
At an event for reporter earlier this month, Lt. John Stanford and Captain Francis Healy, the special legal advisor to Philadelphia police, said there are plans in place to get arrestees processed and back on the streets.
With many protests planned and permitted throughout the city and around the convention, law enforcement plans to be on hand – both on the ground and hovering overhead in helicopters. For those who get out of hand and break the law, police have plans in place.
Healy explained that the city has three lanes for protesters who get arrested this week.
- Minor offenses and disorderly conduct citations – those arrested for the most minor of violations will be arrested, transported to a processing area and released as soon as possible. “If you provide identification, it’s kind of like the Ez-Pass lane. We’re not looking to hold you up. We’re looking to get you in and out.”
- No identification for minor offenses – those arrested for minor offenses but who do not identify themselves will be processed in an event similar to the “Ez-Pass lane.” The difference will be that those arrested will be fingerprinted and their photo will be taken in an effort to find their true identity. Once they are processed, they will be released from custody.
- Misdemeanor and felony offenses – those arrested for more serious crimes that will require an arraignment will be sent to a processing center and go through the system of a typical arrest.
“That’s our overall plan for the processing,” Healy said.
Mickey Osterreicher, general counsel for National Press Photographers Association, suggested that media and protestors write important phone numbers in permanent marker on their arms.
Stanford and Healy both explained that Philadelphia police have been trained to let protesters voice their opinions within the bounds of the law. Officers have undergone special training and the First Amendment will be broadcast of police radio throughout the week.
On Sunday, anti-fracking and pro-Bernie Sanders supporters took to the streets of Center City, Philadelphia and the lawn outside Independence Hall for peaceful protests. The events were overseen by the watchful eye of city police, SEPTA police and federal law enforcement.
Police said they hope peaceful protests continue throughout the week.
