Jenna Bordelon
BURBANK -- As the Democratic National Convention nears, Burbank law
enforcement officials are engaging in drills and classes designed to
prepare personnel for whatever may come their next week.
Though the details of the preparations are being kept confidential,
officials were quick to point out the unlikelihood of trouble in the city
during the Aug. 14 through 17 convention.
"We have to preserve the standard situation in Burbank," Emergency
Services Coordinator Rich Baenen said. "Even if we have a demonstration.
"In the unlikely event that there were some disruption to city
services or city traffic," he said, "one thing we would do is advise
citizens of the current situation."
If spillover from the convention is a factor in Burbank, residents can
tune to 1620 AM on their radio or check with Charter Cable Channel 6 for
information, he said.
Police officers have taken refresher courses on crowd control in
recent weeks and may increase staffing levels.
"For the citizens of Burbank, we want them to know that should any
event or anything come to our city, we would be prepared to respond,"
said Capt. Larry Koch.
Koch said it was unlikely that convention protesters will storm the
streets of Burbank. It's more probable, he said, that the police
department will be called out to aid the Los Angeles Police Department.
More than 40 other cities in Los Angeles County have pledged mutual
police aid if needed, Koch said.
"Generally, it's expected that the Staples Center will be the focus of
the demonstrations," he said.
If called upon, the Burbank Police Department would provide squads of
men consisting of one supervisor and 10 officers, Lt. Robert Giles said.
"They'd be fully equipped with riot equipment -- helmets shields and
batons," he said.
At Burbank Airport, preparations for the convention are being made on
a smaller scale. While airport officials would not release the number of
security personnel working the week of the convention, they did say the
airport would be decked out for incoming conventioneers.
"We have ordered and will place some banners in the two sections of
the terminal," airport spokesman Victor Gill said.
Red, white and blue bunting will adorn the old control tower.
"I think (Los Angeles) is ready and anticipating various things and
we're in accord with that," he said.
