Letter to the Editor, Berkeley Daily Planet, 14 Sept 1999:
PACIFICA OWES DEBT TO CITY
This is my 10th year as Police Chief, and I have never found it necessary to write a letter to the editor until now.
Pacifica Foundation's Executive Director Lynn Chadwick has accused the men and women of the Berkeley Police Department as being responsible for the high costs associated with the civil dispute with its employees between May and August of this year.
As Police Chief, I resent this ultimate spin doctoring of the facts. Instead, the Pacifica Foundation owes the men and women of the Berkeley Police Department heartfelt thanks for giving up days off, vacations and other commitments in order to assist in providing for peaceful dissent following Pacifica Foundation management decisions - some of which sparked large, emotionally charged demonstrations that brought people from all over the Bay Area to Berkeley.
If anything, the Pacifica Foundation should be offering to reimburse the City of Berkeley for overconsumption of City services and apologizing for draining the City budget.
Many labor disputes have taken place in the City of Berkeley during the past 25 years, and many companies have hired private security to assist in maintaining the peace and providing additional security for their property. Each and every time, the Berkeley Police Department has maintained a neutral position.
However, the Pacifica Foundation's decision to turn a labor dispute into a mass arrest situation was a first.
This occurred in spite of our advice to their management. How ironic that after ignoring the advice and deciding to make so many arrests, they have NOW decided that they do not wish to follow through with the prosecution of those arrested.
In summary, the Pacifica Foundation owes the men and women of the Berkeley Police Department an apology for trying to blame us for the costs of their labor dispute. Lynn Chadwick and the rest of Pacifica Foundation should pull out an appropriate sized mirror and take a good look at the real culprits - those who made their decisions during the dispute.
D. E. Butler
Chief of Police, Berkeley Police Department
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