POST-RNC NYPD PRESS CONFERENCE

POST - RNC NYPD PRESS CONFERENCE
COMMISSIONER KELLY'S REMARKS
5 PENN PLAZA
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2004
PRESS RELEASE NO.

MOST OF THE SECURITY ASPECTS OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION PLAYED OUT THE WAY WE ANTICIPATED. AS WE SAID FOR WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE RNC, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PROTESTERS WERE PEACEFUL AND LAWFUL,

WHILE A DISTINCT MINORITY ENGAGED IN DISRUPTION AND UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY.

WE TOOK THE ORGANIZERS AT THEIR WORD THAT THEY WOULD ATTRACT AT LEAST 250,000 FOR SUNDAY’S LARGE MARCH. AND WHEN PRESSED, WE ESTIMATED THAT THE DISRUPTIVE ELEMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF CONVENTION WEEK WOULD NUMBER IN THE HUNDREDS OR PERHAPS AS MANY AS 1,500. AND THAT’S PRETTY MUCH HOW THINGS MATERIALIZED.

ARRESTS FOR CONVENTION-RELATED INCIDENTS TOTALED 1,827. APPROXIMATELY 65% OF THOSE ARRESTED WERE NOT RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK STATE, THEREBY MAKING THEM INELIGIBLE FOR DESK APPEARANCE TICKETS
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