After a roving mob of more than 100 people caused damage to city businesses earlier this month, police are bracing for a possible repeat today at a rally for Trayvon Martin.
On July 9, the large group of mostly teenagers from outside Long Beach vandalized and stole merchandise from various businesses in the Pike and City Place area of downtown.
On July 9, the large group of mostly teenagers from outside Long Beach vandalized and stole merchandise from various businesses in the Pike and City Place area of downtown.
"The same group is planning another 'bash mob,'" said Sgt. Aaron Eaton, spokesman for the Long Beach Police Department.
"This is just groups of individuals, mostly teens, that are getting together through social media that decide to commit these crimes."
Police learned through an investigation that the group planned to be back in Long Beach at 2 p.m. today at the rally organized by P.E.A.C.E. --Protecting Everyone America Created Equality -- in front of the Long Beach Superior Court on Ocean Boulevard.
The July 9 incident "was before the (George Zimmerman) verdict was read," Eaton said. "So it's not tied to Trayvon Martin at all. They may take the opportunity to do it during the protest."
Officials met Wednesday with business leaders warning them about the possibility of a repeat of the events from earlier this month.
The main intention of such a mob is theft, assaults as well as damaging property, Eaton said.
They are "flooding areas and businesses and attacking innocent people," he said.
The mob usually gathers initial interest on social media outlets, such as Facebook.
This may have been the case last weekend in Los Angeles when about 150 people broke away from the peaceful protest honoring Martin to commit vandalism and assault on Crenshaw Boulevard.
"We support anyone who wants to protest peacefully and (support) everyone's right to free speech and assembly," Eaton said. These mobs "don't want to protest peacefully. Their intent is criminal in nature."
Protesters have rallied across the country since a jury of six women acquitted Zimmerman of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in the Feb. 26, 2012 shooting death of Martin, an unarmed black teenager, during a fight in Sanford, Fla.
Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, claimed he shot the 17-year-old Martin in self-defense after Martin attacked and pummelled him.
Police said anyone who has information on criminal activity in Long Beach should call 9-1-1 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
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