Additional Coverage:
- Before mob attack, UCLA police chief was ordered to create security plan but didn’t, sources say (newsbreak.com)
**Security Failures at UCLA Lead to Violent Attack on Student Encampment, Police Chief Under Fire**
In a turn of events that has shaken the University of California, Los Angeles community, Police Chief John Thomas is under intense scrutiny following a mob assault on a pro-Palestinian student encampment. Despite assurances from Thomas that appropriate security measures were attempted, critics argue that significant lapses in preparation and response contributed to the chaos.
The incident, which occurred during a demonstration that unexpectedly turned violent, has raised questions regarding the efficiency and readiness of the UCLA police force under Chief Thomas. According to reports, a critical miscalculation in the time needed to mobilize additional law enforcement support resulted in a substantial delay in quelling the disturbance. Officers arrived more than 90 minutes after the situation escalated due to a reported payment system issue that hindered the fast deployment of the LAPD and other external law enforcement bodies.
Prior to the attack, Chief Thomas was instructed to develop a comprehensive safety plan but allegedly failed to present this strategy to the university’s senior leadership. This lapse has stirred calls for his resignation as an independent review has been set in motion by UC President Michael V. Drake.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block described the violent outbreak as a “dark chapter” in the university’s history, emphasizing the need for a thorough review of campus security protocols. This sentiment was echoed by a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom, who expressed concerns over the apparent limited and delayed response by campus law enforcement.
Reports suggest that the campus police had anticipated the possibility of unrest and had requested additional officers days in advance of the attack. However, these mutual aid requests were canceled following an initial delay in the implementation of an encampment removal plan, leaving the campus with insufficient police presence when violence erupted. A union representing the officers has since pointed fingers at the campus leadership for the inadequate police response, highlighting that only a few officers were on duty at the time of the attack.
The attack itself was marked by assaults on campers, including the hurling of objects and firecrackers, leading to hours of clashes. In the aftermath, the UC Board of Regents convened a closed-door meeting to deliberate on the protests and the university’s response to such events.
As the UCLA community seeks to move forward from this incident, the broader conversation has shifted towards the importance of robust and efficient security measures on campuses nationwide. With an independent review underway, many are awaiting answers and actions that will prevent such a failure in response from happening again.