Should City Taxpayers Foot Bill for Occupy LA Damage?

[righteousdude2]

The estimates are still coming in, but at this time the amount to repair the damage to city property and pay the overtime for staff to supervise and oversee the Occupy LA camps may top two million dollars.

SEE:http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...t-23-million/2011/12/23/gIQAo68SEP_story.html

Should the city and its taxpayers be responsible for this huge bill, or should the city "sue" those who were arrested and their organization?

SEE:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/occupy-la-lawsuit-financial-damages.html

 

[matt wade]

The City can only assess damages against people charged with specific crimes that resulted in specific damages. To do otherwise would undermine the processes and freedoms of this country.

 

[Oldtimer]

Voted for occupiers to pay to clean up their own mess.

However, in reality, this is no different than all the other things happening today. Taxpayers footing the tab for all the "entitled" takers and destroyers around us.

I didn't follow the links. Didn't have to. Local news reports of occupied buildings filled with the reek of human waste is enough to know basically what happened.

Satan is busy taking from "widows and orphans" (taxes) to achieve his goals. Can't envision this county's founding fathers expecting freedom to include the wanton distruction of property of others. Yet, if we want to keep a few of the tattered shreds of the Consitition, tax payers will end up paying satan's bill, yet again.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

If any U.S. city had any real guts they would file charges against the occupests as a criminal enterprise, due to the refusal to pay for permits, refusal to secure sanitation, conspiracy to block criminal investigations, intimidating businesses, vanalism and arson to public and private property, assaults on public workers, etc...take them to court, fine them, or put them in jail.

 

[matt wade]

If any U.S. city had any real guts they would file charges against the occupests as a criminal enterprise, due to the refusal to pay for permits, refusal to secure sanitation, conspiracy to block criminal investigations, intimidating businesses, vanalism and arson to public and private property, assaults on public workers, etc...take them to court, fine them, or put them in jail.

It's real simple. Most of the things you list are crimes committed by individuals. Simply arrest those individuals and deal with them as our current law permits. There's not need to attack the entire premise of a demonstration in order to deal justice to those in the wrong. For all the criminal acts that take place, there are 95% (or greater) of people that are simply peacefully demonstrating.

We don't need government to intrude upon our right to demonstrate.

 

[plain_n_simple]

Should City Taxpayers Foot Bill for Occupy LA Damage?

Yes

 

[Salty]

Looking at the poll - why should the Wall St bankers have to pay?

and the national Occupy movement - there is no such organization....

 

[billwald]

Taxpayers should pay because their police departments initiated most of the violence.

 

[righteousdude2]

Additional Info on OWS Organizational Involvements?

I was thinking along the lines of the Accorn Group since they were rumored to be part of the movement. It seems to me, that while any organizational ties are somewhat loose and vague, there are subtle ties to consider in law suits.

Accorn:http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/10/26/exclusive-acorn-playing-behind-scenes-role-in-occupy-movement/

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/0...orkers-and-shredding-documents-after-exposed/

Occupy Organization - "The New York City General Assembly (NYCGA), held every evening at seven, is the main OWS decision-making body and provides much of the leadership and executive function for the protesters. At its meetings the various OWS committees discuss their thoughts and needs, and the meetings are open to the public for both attendance and speaking. The meetings are without formal leadership, although certain members routinely act as moderators. Meeting participants comment upon committee proposals using a process called a "stack", which is a queue of speakers that anyone can join." From:Wikipedia (Organization and group process) and (Funding) "A few weeks ago, the Alliance for Global Justice, a Washington-based nonprofit, agreed to sponsor Occupy Wall Street and lend it its tax-exempt status, so donors could write off contributions. That means the Alliance for Global Justice's board has final say on spending, though it says it's not involved in decisions and will only step in if the protesters want to spend money on something that might violate their tax-exempt status." SEE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street

 

[matt wade]

I was thinking along the lines of the Accorn Group since they were rumored to be part of the movement. It seems to me, that while any organizational ties are somewhat loose and vague, there are subtle ties to consider in law suits.

Why are you hunting for someone to loosely tie to this and bring about frivolous lawsuits?

Again, it's simply. If someone committed a crime, hit them for damages.

You can't go around suing groups for the acts of individuals that may or may not be involved with those groups.

Spin the situation around. A groups of people are protesting gay marriage (or abortion, or any other Christian hot button issue) and a small minority of the protestors cause damage. Should we then try and come up with some Christian organizations to sue?

 

[righteousdude2]

You Always Have a Good Point...

Why are you hunting for someone to loosely tie to this and bring about frivolous lawsuits?

However, here is another members point of view on this subject. "If any U.S. city had any real guts they would file charges against the occupests as a criminal enterprise, due to the refusal to pay for permits, refusal to secure sanitation, conspiracy to block criminal investigations, intimidating businesses, vanalism and arson to public and private property, assaults on public workers, etc...take them to court, fine them, or put them in jail." BroCurtis

The city of LA brought up the idea of filing a law suit, NOT ME. I only brought up the questions! However, if individuals and their supporting organizations were made financially responsible (sued, if need be) for the millions of dollars of damage across the nation; they'd be more civil the next time they protest.

I have never heard of an anti-abortion group defecating on, and destroying public property. Sure there have been some radicals who have blown up buildings and even killed abortion doctors, etc., but for the most part, I have not heard of anti-abortion groups camping out on public property and doing the vile, immoral things these OWS people did. IMHO, The OWS people acted more like criminals and animals than peaceful protestors.

Of course, the above is my opinions, but I do not believe I stand alone on this, just as you do not stand alone in opposition to frivolous law suits.

Try not to get yourself worked up with my views. They are simply that: Views. And I think I can still share my views without the fear of being subjected to judgment or reprisal by others. So, again, thanks for playing "devil's advocate." I think you have a good point! Maybe someone in the city offices will see your concerns and drop their pursuit of suing for damages. :thumbs:

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Sure there have been some radicals who have blown up buildings and even killed abortion doctors, etc., but for the most part, I have not heard of anti-abortion groups camping out on public property and doing the vile, immoral things these OWS people did. :

Huh? How many did the occupiers murder? Camping out on public property is somehow worse than blowing it up?

 

[righteousdude2]

I'd rather sit this one out (the dance)

Huh? How many did the occupiers murder? Check it out: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...est-camps-face-crackdown-3-deaths-2-days.html

http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/201...-was-indeed-an-occupyoakland-protester-video/


Camping out on public property is somehow worse than blowing it up?

Only if you want it to be? Why not tell me if it's comparable. You seem to have the answer hidden (somewhere) in your surreptitious query!

Huh (back at ya!) Sometimes, your questions are laughable C4K. :BangHead: You're defintiely trying to read between the lines, AGAIN! You want to draw me into another debate, and I will simply take this time to wish you and your family a Happy New Year (in other words, there will be no more responses coming from the dude on this). You'll have to either go on with unanswered questions, or be rejected, because I am sitting out this dance! :wavey:

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I missed where those deaths were murders. They look to be the result of their own stupidity.

To say that the occupiers are more dangerous that those who killed abortion doctors or blow up buildings in quite a stretch.

 

[billwald]

Vile, immoral things like smoking pot?

 

[freeatlast]

I stand strongly against prisons as all they do is cost the tax payer with little results. I am in favor of holding people to the same standards as the bible laid down when they violate the law. So any people involved in the occupy should be held accountable for their part in any costs.

 

[righteousdude2]

Go to Google Bill...and find what I found!

Vile, immoral things like smoking pot?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/0...-violent-crime-breaks-out-at-occupy-protests/

http://communities.washingtontimes....1/nov/6/seven-deadly-sins-occupy-wall-street/

http://washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/2011/11/occupy-wall-street-has-vindicated-tea-party

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2812763/posts

Hardly a glowing endorsement of the OWS movement. How do you like your "crow" fixed, rare, or medium well??? :smilewinkgrin:

 

[marke]

The estimates are still coming in, but at this time the amount to repair the damage to city property and pay the overtime for staff to supervise and oversee the Occupy LA camps may top two million dollars.

SEE:http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...t-23-million/2011/12/23/gIQAo68SEP_story.html

Should the city and its taxpayers be responsible for this huge bill, or should the city "sue" those who were arrested and their organization?

SEE:http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/occupy-la-lawsuit-financial-damages.html

The city should ban all such protests for many reasons, cleanup costs being one, and then ticket with fines those who violate the ban. There is no reason a civilized society should countenance such uncivilized behavior for any stupid interpretation of supposed 'rights' of the protestors.

 

[matt wade]

The city should ban all such protests for many reasons, cleanup costs being one, and then ticket with fines those who violate the ban. There is no reason a civilized society should countenance such uncivilized behavior for any stupid interpretation of supposed 'rights' of the protestors.

Government should ban protests? Do us all a favor...don't even vote any more.

 

[Salty]

Government should ban protests? Do us all a favor...don't even vote any more.

Thats right - let the KKK burn crosses as they see fit