Oakland 'Riders' Verdict - potential civil unrest

Verdict for 'Riders' expected
City officials worry about civil unrest
Chip Johnson Monday, September 15, 2003

A jury that has deliberated since the end of May and sent 58 notes to the judge is enough to make any prosecutor sweat.

Now the heat is really on.

In what could be the final week of the corruption trial of three former Oakland police officers accused of beating suspects, planting evidence and covering up their crimes, city officials are hoping for the best -- but preparing for the worst.

"In the event of an acquittal, my gut feeling tells me, 'No, there won't be any trouble,' but it's something I'm concerned about," Police Chief Richard Word said Friday.

Word has met with leaders of Oakland's religious community to secure their help in the event of street mayhem, and he says that police response to any reports of trouble will be carefully measured.

"The last thing we want to do is ignite or inflame an incident," he said.

That's good policy, because the department's back-up plan includes calling for mutual aid, if needed, from the California Highway Patrol, the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and nearby cities.