City Council may restrict LAPD's less-lethal weapons

Proposed ordinance would ban their use against nonviolent protesters, journalists.

- CHRISTOPHER BUCHANAN

COUNCILMEMBER Hugo Soto-Martínez is pushing for the proposal.

(GARY CORONADO For The Times)

The Los Angeles City Council will consider an ordinance that would prevent the LAPD from using crowd-control weapons against peaceful protesters and journalists.

Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents District 13, is pushing for regulations that would prohibit the Los Angeles Police Department from using “kinetic energy projectiles” or “chemical agents” unless officers are threatened with physical violence.

The Public Safety Committee unanimously approved the proposal and forwarded a vote with all council members on Wednesday. The items would be considered by the council in November or December, said Nick Barnes-Batista, a communications director for District 13.

The ordinance would also require officers to give clear, audible warnings about safe exit routes during “kettling,” when crowds are pushed into designated areas by police.