[Fair Use For Educational/Reference Only]

California cops, National Guard prepare for millennium trouble

From Correspondent Rusty Dornin

November 14, 1999

SAN FRANCISCO (CNN) -- California is gearing up for turn-of-the-century celebrations that go over the top. Some 1,700 National Guard troops will be on duty from December 30 to January 2, ready for action in San Francisco -- or other cities in the state in case revelers get out of hand.

"Right now, the National Guard is preparing for Y2K in the eventuality we would have to backup law enforcement because of lights going out or a civil disturbance," said Capt. Joseph Horton of the California National Guard.

There is a history of citywide parties turning dangerous.

Thousands of San Franciscans took to the streets for VJ Day, when the fighting with Japan formally ended in 1945. Eleven people were killed during the celebration and thousands were injured in the three-day party.

To make sure millennium parties -- or any civil disturbances resulting from possible Y2K problems -- don't measure up to those statistics, San Francisco police have been practicing riot control measures, backed by stiff warnings.

"If you intend to come to San Francisco and conduct yourself in an unpeaceful manner ... you will be taken into custody immediately," cautioned San Francisco Police Chief Fred Lau.

The National Guard helped out Los Angeles police during the Rodney King riots.

Troops also have provided statewide disaster relief during earthquakes and floods. Spokesmen say the Guard would be ready for just about anything the New Year might bring -- including massive power outages.

"For the Y2K phenomena, we're ready with fuel. For example, generator crews, we have 50 of them, we have trucks, C130s, Blackhawks and Chinooks (helicopters) and people and shelters and armories and so on," said California National Guard Col. Terry Knight.

Crews at California's Office of Emergency Services will also be on duty round the clock through New Year's weekend.

"We are connected with all the counties by satellite with generators so even if there was a problem we would be able to communicate with one another to help protect public safety," said the agency's Tom Mullins.

---

...Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair...

...(hitting the)...

-- snooze button (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), November 16, 1999

Answers

"...we're ready with fuel. For example, generator crews, we have 50 of them, we have trucks, C130s, Blackhawks and Chinooks (helicopters) and people and shelters and armories and so on..."

Oh joy! (Got caves?)

Think I'll carry flowers... and sniff often... thanks.

*Big Sigh*

Diane

See also...

California: National Guard (Anecdotal Comments)

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id= 001eb6

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), November 16, 1999.

But... but... it's only gonna be a bump in the road, remember...?

-- no longer living (in@san.fran), November 16, 1999.

Oh, but it's not cause of Y2K, it's those crazy PEOPLE.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 16, 1999.

Don't forget, I'll be out in force too. The criminal element is no match for Batman and Robin....

-- Batman (batcave@gotham.city), November 16, 1999.

...people in motion...people in Motion...

Be sure to wear some Flowers in your hair...

Where is Scott MacKenzie when we need him??

-- K. Stevens (kstevens@ It's ALL going away in January.com), November 16, 1999.

Diane--

I realize this is a BIG New Years Celebration, but---- have they ever had the national guard present for the annual New Years celebration?

-- peacebaby (karlacalif@aol.com), November 16, 1999.

peacebaby,

I can remember several New Years in which they had to open, or have been on standby to open, the armories as shelters for the homeless when the temperatures dropped too low.

-- flora (***@__._), November 16, 1999.

All right you pollies. Re-read the original news article and pay close attention! CNN has reported that it ain't going to be the doomers who cause the problems come rollover: IT'S GOING TO BE THE NEW YEAR'S REVELERS! And if CNN reports it you know it's true.

And they're gonna need all kinds of stuff to handle those "New Year's revelers". Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters, C-130 transport aircraft, trucks, armories, shelters, people and so on. How long before "and so on" is defined as Apache and Cobra attack helicpters, AC-130 gunships, A-10 attack jets, tanks and "reveler detention centers"?

How long before Paul Milne and the like are re-defined from "ultimate doomers" to Ultimate Millenium Party Animals and Chief Revelers?

Do they sell those pointy New Year's party hats in tinfoil? And do New Yar's noisemakers include firearms?

WW

-- Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), November 16, 1999.