Law enforcement agencies preparing for neo-Nazi rally

Starting Date: 08-24-2002
Starting Time: 1:00pm

Address

Topeka State Capital Bldg
Topeka, Kansas
United States

Description

Law enforcement agencies preparing for neo-Nazi rally
By J.R. Mendoza
The Capital-Journal
Local law enforcement agencies say they have been working diligently
preparing for Saturday's "White Unity Blvd Rally" outside the
Statehouse.

"We can't really quantify that," said Trooper Mark Engholm, of the
Kansas Highway Patrol, when asked how many hours have gone into the
planning.

The National Socialist Movement, a neo-Nazi group, will rally from 1
to 3 p.m. Law enforcement agencies have been working with the group,
as well as with groups that will have a counterprotest nearby.

Counterprotest groups will have an alternative rally from 1 to 3 p.m.
at the Charles Curtis State Office Building, S.W. 10th and Jackson.
It is sponsored by the NAACP and supported by the Topeka Center for
Peace and Justice and Concerned Citizens of Topeka.

The highway patrol, Capitol Police, Shawnee County Sheriff's Office
and Topeka Police Department are working together on security for the
rally. Engholm said there are meetings daily and commanders have
conducted weekly meetings for a month.

The agencies won't disclose how many officers they will have
providing security at the rally.

"We can't talk about the specific arrangements prior to the event,"
Engholm said. "We're working closely with other law enforcement
organizations and groups at the rally to make the rally safe."

Engholm didn't know how much the rally would cost the agencies, but
he said some officers might be working overtime.

"It depends on how the rally goes," Engholm said.

The cost depends on how many officers are at the rally and how long
it lasts, said sheriff's Sgt. Curtis Wagers.

He said the agencies had been working well together -- "to help each
other out" -- to prepare for the rally.

Topeka police Lt. John Sidwell said his department also had no idea
of the cost and wasn't keeping track. But he was certain overtime
costs would be incurred.

Sidwell said the agencies would be well-prepared.

"We've covered the possible scenarios that could come into play,"
Sidwell said. "We've prepared for them as best as we can."

The law enforcement agencies have enacted several security measures
for Saturday. All state buildings in the Capitol complex will be
closed to the public that day. Those attending the rally will pass
through metal detectors and are subject to search. Items such as
food, firearms and backpacks will be prohibited.

Those who don't want to enter the rally areas can watch from
surrounding sidewalks.

Sidwell agreed with Wagers that the agencies were working well with
each other.

"We have a strong relationship," Sidwell said. "There's no problem."

Rally plans

Law enforcement agencies are prohibiting the following items at the
Capitol complex:

? Firearms; knives; edged, pointed or impact weapons; chemical
irritants; packages, backpacks or coolers; cans or bottles (glass or
plastic); food; signs or flags mounted on poles.

The following streets will be closed starting at 7:30 a.m. until the
rally ends:

? S.W. 9th Street from Topeka Boulevard to S. Kansas Ave.

? S.W. 10th Street from Topeka Boulevard to S. Kansas Ave.

? S.W. Harrison Street from 8th to Huntoon

? S.W. Jackson Street from 8th to 11th streets

? No on-street parking will be allowed on closed streets from 5 p.m.
Friday until the streets reopen Saturday.

? Public parking available: State Parking Lot No. 1, located south
and west of the Kansas Judicial Center, 301 W. 10th St. The lot can
be accessed from Huntoon and Jackson streets.

Geographical Scope:

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