HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-20 Special Called Meeting Little Rock Board of Directors Special Meeting
June 3, 2020
4:30 PM
Little Rock Board of Directors Special Called Meeting
June 3, 2020
4:30 PM
The Board of Directors of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, met in a Special Called
Meeting with Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., presiding. City Clerk Susan Langley called the roll
with the following Directors present: Hendrix (via telephone); Richardson (enrolled at
4:33 PM via WebEx Teleconferencing); Webb (via WebEx Teleconferencing); Peck (via
WebEx Teleconferencing); Hines; Wright; Kumpuris; Fortson (via WebEx
Teleconferencing); Vice-Mayor Wyrick; and Mayor Scott.
1. Little Rock Public Safety Update.
Little Rock Police Department Chief Keith Humphrey stated that based on unrest and
protests that were occurring around the nation, along with intelligence that the Little
Rock Police Department (LRPD) had received, they started work on a response plan in
the event that protests began in Little Rock. Chief Humphrey stated that LRPD worked
with the Arkansas State Highway Patrol, North Little Rock Police Department, Sherwood
Police Department and the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office regarding the development of
the plan, which was implemented on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Chief Humphrey stated
that the Unified Command Post was established at the Arkansas State Police (ASP)
Headquarters. Chief Humphrey stated that the protest on Saturday night, which started
at the Arkansas State Capitol, began peaceful; however, at some point, the protestors
moved from the Capitol grounds down onto Interstate 630, temporarily blocking the east
and westbound lanes of traffic, before heading back to the Capitol. Chief Humphrey
stated that at some point, it is believed the outside influencers became involved and
disruptive, to the point that they blocked one of the streets leading up to the Capitol. As
a result, Chief Humphrey stated that the decision was made to deploy a Special
Response Team. Chief Humphrey stated that the protestors were given numerous
opportunities to disperse and at some point, individuals in the crowd began throwing
items at the Officers. As a result, in an attempt to disperse the crowd and to prevent
further damage, the decision was made to utilize less lethal resources, such as pepper
balls and tear gas. Upon deployment, the crowd began to disperse; however, there was
further destruction to other areas and buildings. Chief Humphrey stated that later that
night there were some other incidents that occurred throughout the City that LRPD
believes may have been as a result of the protesting. Chief Humphrey reported that an
individual drove their vehicle through the front door of the Midtown Target and LRPD had
received intelligence that the Outlets of Little Rock was going to be vandalized. In
addition, Chief Humphrey stated that they had received intelligence that protestors were
going to ascend on the 12th Street Station for possible activity.
Chief Humphrey stated that the protests on Sunday, May 31, 2020, started out peaceful
at the Capitol; however, similar to the previous evening, there were several disruptors
that caused vandalism and damage to some of the buildings in the area. Chief
Humphrey stated that again the decision was made to disperse the crowd utilizing the
same methods and resources that were utilized the previous evening. Chief Humphrey
stated that on Monday, the protests again started out at the Capitol and at the invitation
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Little Rock Board of Directors Special Meeting
June 3, 2020
4:30 PM
of the organizers, he and Mayor Scott met with them on site. Chief Humphrey stated
that once again, as night fell, a group of the protestors began to once again vandalize
buildings in the downtown area. Chief Humphrey stated that in several of the vandalized
buildings where the glass was broken, undetonated incendiary items, such as Molotov
Cocktails, were found. Chief Humphrey stated that the resources utilized on Tuesday
night (June 2, 2020) was as a result of Governor Asa Hutchinson's direction. Chief
Humphrey stated that there was still a Unified Command Post and he made it clear that
he, as the Chief of Police, was still responsible for the Police Operations within the City
of Little Rock. Chief Humphrey stated that there were 110 ASP Troopers and eighty (80)
LRPD Officers, along with Officers from several of the surrounding municipalities,
involved. Chief Humphrey stated that several groups separated from the larger group
and caused damage in the downtown area, and as a result, seventy-nine (79) individuals
were arrested. Of the arrests, forty-nine (49) arrests were made by ASP, fourteen (14)
arrests were made by LRPD and the remaining arrests were made by the additional
agencies involved. Chief Humphrey stated that the individuals arrested were
transported to the Pulaski County Detention Center where they were identified, finger-
printed and released. Chief Humphrey stated that the majority of the individuals that had
ascended into Little Rock to disrupt the protests were from out of the area, and based on
intelligence received, LRPD was aware of members of a known terrorist organization to
be involved.
Chief Humphrey stated that the previous day (June 2, 2020) at approximately 12:30 PM,
a group of thirty (30) to fifty (50) protestors blocked the intersection of Broadway Street
and 3rd Street. Chief Humphrey stated that several of the protestors were laying in the
street, surrounded by a human chain of other protestors. Chief Humphrey stated that he
made several attempts to talk to the protestors, but that there were several of them
intent on being arrested. Chief Humphrey stated that after three (3) hours, Special
Response Team was brought in to remove the protestors. Chief Humphrey stated that
twenty-eight (28) protestors were arrested without incident and were transported to the
Pulaski County Detention Center where they were identified, finger-printed and released.
Chief Humphrey stated that LRPD anticipated additional protests in the coming days;
however, they as a Department were ready.
Vice-Mayor Wyrick asked what involvement the Chief had during the decision making
process regarding the use of the less than lethal resources. Chief Humphrey stated that
he had been informed of everything and at one point when the Special Response Team
was set to be deployed, he had called them back due to the fact that the crowd was
dispersing. However, the crowd did return and he was aware that the Team was going
to be deployed. Vice-Mayor Wyrick stated that the only briefing that she had received
was what she had seen on television and asked who authorized the deployment of the
tear gas on Saturday night. Chief Humphrey stated that on Saturday night, ASP
authorized the deployment of tear gas and LRPD deployed the pepper balls; however,
on Sunday night both ASP and LRPD deployed tear gas and pepper balls. Vice-Mayor
Wyrick asked if the Chief Humphrey authorized the deployment on Sunday. Chief
Humphrey stated that he was aware of the possibility and had agreed with the
deployment. Vice-Mayor Wyrick asked if the protestors had applied for any permits.
Chief Humphrey stated that he did not know if they had a permit. Mayor Scott stated
that a peaceful protest was not a permit situation and that a permit was only needed to
be obtained if it was an organized event. Vice-Mayor Wyrick stated that during the news
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Little Rock Board of Directors Special Meeting
June 3, 2020
4:30 PM
telecast from the Sunday night protest, she saw individuals firing Roman Candles at the
Officers and asked why they weren't arrested. Chief Humphrey stated that from what he
gathered, the fact that at that point the crowd had grown in size, the Special Response
Team needed to be activated and the decision was made not to rush into anything.
Director Hines asked why LRPD was not able to block the protestors from moving onto
to Interstate 630. Chief Humphrey stated that LRPD knew that the protestors were
going to march from the Capitol to the River Market and back; however, when they
realized that they were moving towards Interstate 630, they contacted ASP. Director
Hines asked if the Officers were told to `stand down' to allow the protestors to move onto
the interstate. Chief Humphrey stated that Officers were told that as long as the
protestors kept moving, they were okay; however, if they would have laid down and
blocked the interstate, it would have been a different situation. Director Hines stated
that there was a requirement of a permit for anyone that wanted to have a protest or a
march, and it was disturbing that the process wasn't followed. Mayor Scott stated that in
this situation and with what was occurring in the Country, it was not the City's place to
tell people how to share and express their protest.
In regards to the Unified Command Post, Director Kumpuris asked if it was by general
consensus that decisions were made, or was there one individual that made the ultimate
decision. Chief Humphrey stated that in the case of the Unified Command, once
everyone involved was informed of everything going on, there was one (1) individual that
would make the decision regarding how to proceed. Director Kumpuris asked who was
currently making the final decisions. Chief Humphrey stated that ASP was in charge of
the Incident Command and making the decisions; however, LRPD had representatives
in the room.
City Manager Bruce Moore wished Director Hendrix a Happy 90th Birthday.
Mayor Scott adjourned the Special Called Meeting.
APPROVED:
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us • ey, City Clerk Frank ScIft, Jr., M
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