Schell calls for pre-event reviews to avoid WTO-type chaos

Seattle Mayor Paul Schell today called for public review of all proposed major events to avoid the kind of chaos that reigned during protests of last fall's World Trade Organization meeting.

Schell's comments accompanied release of a report on the WTO meeting by a private crowd-control consultant hired by the mayor's office.

Schell also said steps should be taken to make sure Seattle is not left on the hook for costs associated with major events and that the city should engage in "worst case scenario" planning before such events.

In addition, he said, the city must put in place a review process that helps avoid the kinds of operational law-enforcement problems revealed in the report by consultant Ron McCarthy of R.M. McCarthy & Associates of San Clemente Calif.

"For example, that would ensure that the Police Department has adequate staffing to arrest wrongdoers and vandals immediately and process them into jail without delay," the mayor said in a news release.

Earlier reports by panels and consultants have been critical of the security planning that went in to the weeklong event. (See related story.)

Some 50,000 protesters converged on Seattle for the WTO meeting Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Overwhelmed police were not able to leave their posts to control the crowds, which forced the cancellation of opening ceremonies.

After some protesters vandalized downtown stores, causing more than $2.5 million in property damage, the National Guard was deployed and a curfew was imposed. More than 500 protesters were arrested, though charges against most were later dropped. No deaths or serious injuries were reported.

A June 30 report from a citizens panel convened by the City Council recommended that the council adopt a formal process to approve any events that could have major budget consequences in the future.

The panel's report contends private interests invited the conference here and then left the city to pay a $9 million bill that was mostly incurred to cover law-enforcement costs.

A May report by the chief and a top commander of the Washington State Patrol blamed Schell for what they said was a lack of preparedness for the event.

Earlier this week, the American Civil Liberties Union released a report based on citizen input that contends police lost control of WTO opening-day protests and then overreacted.

Reports are due from two more City Council panels this summer, and the National Lawyers Guild also is expected to issue a report on civil rights complaints.

Schell said he expected to begin working with the City Council to draft new rules once the council's other reports are complete.

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