NCJ Number
129029
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 38 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 92-97
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes procedures used by the police in rural Allegany County, N.Y., to control protests against the siting of a low-level radioactive waste dump in the county.
Abstract
Protests by large crowds when members of the siting commission appeared at the various sites under consideration presented problems for a sheriffs' department understaffed for such an occurrence. The State police advised the sheriff that his office would be responsible for handling all of the on-site inspections and dealing with the protesters. If mass arrests were necessary, however, the State police would make those. The sheriff met with leaders of the protest groups to ensure that there was a clear understanding that violence and other law breaking would be met with firm law enforcement action. The sheriff refused to enter into any discussions about the issues being protested. It has been necessary for the sheriff to provide means of transporting arrested handicapped persons in wheelchairs and to handle with stretchers persons who go limp when arrested. A system of identifying arrestees who refuse to give their names has also been devised. The sheriff's office videotapes the demonstrations in case there are legal challenges to police behavior.