By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
The Tucson Police Department is reviewing police actions in the April 2 riot on Fourth Avenue.
The mission is to provide a comprehensive review of the police response. In other words, did police go too far in using non-lethal weapons to disperse individuals remaining within eyesight of officers in the area?
The answer is no.
The scene escalated that night to the point where rioting fans forced officers into action.
After rioters smashed windows and overturned vehicles along the avenue, police used microphones to order the crowd of about 1,500 people to leave the area immediately.
Police then marched up the avenue in unison, taking small steps to allow ample time for individuals to find a way out of the scene. Most people did, and they went home unharmed.
Police fired rubber bullets, sting-ball grenades and other "non-lethal" weapons at the few that remained.
By this point, a Winnebago and another vehicle were engulfed in fire, and a nearby business was threatened by the growing flames.
At least two dozen people were hit, including journalists, bystanders and a UA student whose left eye was surgically removed after he was struck in the face by a police beanbag.
The police are often asked to do difficult jobs. Citizens expect police to keep their streets safe and to maintain order. That means the use of non-lethal weapons is appropriate.
Unfortunately, police waited too long to use them.
Throughout the evening, police had multiple opportunities to remove troublemakers from the scene. Instead, they chose to wait until vehicles were set on fire and businesses were damaged.
Shortly after the NCAA championship's conclusion, fans filled Fourth Avenue, waiting for something to happen. They were not disappointed.
Women flashing the crowd and brutal mosh pits were only the beginning. Street signs were pulled down, banners were ripped off street poles and fireworks were set off.
The police watched the chaos like spectators, letting the scene degenerate into a full-scale riot complete with fire and looting.
Several Fourth Avenue business owners have complained that police could have prevented much of the destruction if they had acted sooner.
Should the police have used non-lethal weapons? Yes.
But, more importantly, Tucson should be asking the police if stepping in sooner would have prevented thousands of dollars of damage and one student's eye.
The answer would undoubtedly be a resounding yes.
