A few highlights from the highly critical report (see below) about what led to the disastrous events in Charlottesville of August 11-12 include: “The Charlottesville Police Department Did Not Seek Input From Law Enforcement Personnel Experienced in Handling Similar Events” or “Provide Adequate Training or Information to Officers in Advance of the Event”; The Cville Police also “Implemented a Flawed Operational Plan That Failed to Protect Public Safety”; the City of Cville “Waited Too Long to Request the Specialized Assistance of the Virginia Department of Emergency Management” and “Did Not Provide Adequate Information to the Public About Plans For the Event”; The Cville City Council “Unduly Interfered With Operational Planning By Directing That the Event Be Moved to McIntire Park Just Days in Advance”; The Cville Police Department and Virginia State Police “Failed to Operate Under a Unified Command, Resulting In Delayed And Ineffective Responses to Critical Events.” Also check out the video, below, of independent review head Tim Heaphy’s press conference by Lauren Berg of the Daily Progress.
Heaphy: Items that could have been used as weapons, such as sticks and flagpoles, could have been banned. pic.twitter.com/AjfEVPQJEl
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: There was a failure of communication ahead of the Aug. 12, particularly when the City attempted to move the rally at the last minute pic.twitter.com/fdyE8BRkOS
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
It took too long to declare unlawful assembly. Police allow people to fight to “make it easier to declare an unlawful assembly.” pic.twitter.com/10wzVPGRRt
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: “We did not find evidence of misconduct.” Police wanted to do their jobs pic.twitter.com/slNG6umKHl
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
UVa refused to accept CPD help on Aug. 11 when white supremacists gathered on Grounds. It wasn’t until violence broke out the CPD was allowed to assist. pic.twitter.com/uA8KUP4Bbx
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: Tear gas should not have been necessary in the first place, but found no evidence that police used it wrongfully pic.twitter.com/uE0sH0Tw67
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: Police need more regular training for how to deal with these large scale events of unrest pic.twitter.com/cXlJcmQ18L
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Presser open to comments/questions now: pic.twitter.com/b04tqKHcLH
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: Don’t think any police disobeyed orders. Don’t think Maj. Pleasants disobeyed orders because “he thought he had the ability to order tear gas.” pic.twitter.com/ypNOG2fLLW
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy’s response: pic.twitter.com/V6fSYTQTHW
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
Heaphy: No one ever followed up on putting a more substantial barrier at 4th Street — where Heather Heyer was killed — but it’s not clear why pic.twitter.com/XzHB4m76Lw
— Lauren Berg (@laurenbergk) December 1, 2017
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