Police Chief Duffy Says Go Elsewhere

Transfered from old site <!--break--> Channel 8 ran a segment at 11pm today with Chief Duffy stating that Rochester Antiwar Protesters are taking vital resources from the city. He said the last three protests cost the city 90 officer shifts- $20,000 in manpower and resources. He asked us to go elsewhere and protest at another location to leave police resources for more important issues (4 murders this week in Rochester were noted by the News). Chief Duffy asked organizers to realize that every action (ie- a protest) has a reaction (ie- a use of resources). Organizer Pat Clark was quoted as saying that this war is costing Rochester millions of dollars that could otherwise be used by the city for things such as the police force. For Chief Duffy, I must say he was very civil, not at all like the chiefs you see in cities like DC and NYC speaking out against protests. I think it is important to make him and the public realize that we are on his side and want Rochester to have more resources across the board. But that should never be a reason to stop demonstrating, as it is precisley these things that we are demonstrating for. Furthermore, it is the police chief who is deciding to use so many resources. There has been no violence at any of these protests. Even interactions between anti and pro-war demonstrators have been relatively benign. Having a few officers to clear the streets and ensure the peace between anti and pro war demontrators is more than enough here in Rochester. Police Chief Duffy: Please don't waste city resources by having so many officers present at peaceful rallies. And please continue to show your concern for money by not arresting peaceful demonstrators. This wastes officer's time, department time, and legal resources. Nathan LaFratta

<p>Transfered from old site</p> <!--break--><p>Channel 8 ran a segment at 11pm today with Chief Duffy stating that Rochester Antiwar Protesters are taking vital resources from the city. He said the last three protests cost the city 90 officer shifts- $20,000 in manpower and resources. He asked us to go elsewhere and protest at another location to leave police resources for more important issues (4 murders this week in Rochester were noted by the News). Chief Duffy asked organizers to realize that every action (ie- a protest) has a reaction (ie- a use of resources). </p> <p>Organizer Pat Clark was quoted as saying that this war is costing Rochester millions of dollars that could otherwise be used by the city for things such as the police force.</p> <p>For Chief Duffy, I must say he was very civil, not at all like the chiefs you see in cities like DC and NYC speaking out against protests. I think it is important to make him and the public realize that we are on his side and want Rochester to have more resources across the board. But that should never be a reason to stop demonstrating, as it is precisley these things that we are demonstrating for. Furthermore, it is the police chief who is deciding to use so many resources. There has been no violence at any of these protests. Even interactions between anti and pro-war demonstrators have been relatively benign. </p> <p>Having a few officers to clear the streets and ensure the peace between anti and pro war demontrators is more than enough here in Rochester. Police Chief Duffy: Please don't waste city resources by having so many officers present at peaceful rallies. And please continue to show your concern for money by not arresting peaceful demonstrators. This wastes officer's time, department time, and legal resources.</p> <p>Nathan LaFratta</p>