NCJ Number
94363
Journal
National Centurion Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1984) Pages: 25-30,32
Date Published
1984
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In planning for the 1984 Summer Olympics, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has focused on the serious problems of keeping crowds orderly, moving traffic, and terrorists. No formal agreement, however, has been reached between the LAPD and the FBI on who will take charge if a terrorist attack occurs.
Abstract
Although law enforcement agencies have invested 5 years in planning security for the Olympics, the uncertain danger of native or international terrorism still presents a great risk. Moreover, failure to resolve jurisdiction over terrorist incidents by the FBI and LAPD could negatively affect response capabilities. Differences in the two agencies' viewpoints could also influence how they handle terrorists. The LAPD Chief has civil service status and thus is insulated from officials trying to influence his actions, whereas the FBI must respond to directives from the White House. While the FBI feels that any terrorist incident is its responsibility under Federal law, the LAPD Chief believes that his Special Weapons and Tactics Team knows Los Angeles better and is experienced in handling urban violence. Before and during the 16 days of competition, more than 2 dozen key law enforcement officials will be working in a windowless command complete with sophisticated communication links. Helicopters will monitor the Olympic areas using geiger counters and other sensitive electronic gear. Whether a terrorist incident occurs, policing the Games will be costly for city, State, and Federal governments. Additional security problems include heavily armed bodyguards of rich foreign businessmen, athletes who want to defect, and organized crime trying to sell counterfeit tickets and merchandise. Los Angeles law enforcement officials, however, see the Olympics as a chance to polish their departments' images, badly tarnished in recent years by scandal.