Merced police watchful amid social media threats to incite riot. Other cities targeted
Merced police say they are keeping close watch after a post appeared on social media in recent days, making threats about fomenting riots and looting in areas of the city — including the Merced Mall, marijuana dispensaries and phone stores.
The post is similar to another social media post this week, making threats about committing acts of violence and riots in Fresno.
Like in Fresno, law enforcement leaders and activists here have largely debunked such threats. Case in point, all of the protests thus far in the region — in Merced, Chowchilla, and Los Banos — have been peaceful.
Still, Merced police are not brushing it off and remain prepared. Interim Merced Police Chief Tom Cavallero said his agency became aware of the threatening post on May 31.
The message has continued to pop up on social media since. “There’s been no issues,” he said, but added, “We don’t want to discount anything, I think we have to be really judicious.”
Cavallero said police are prepared and take the matter seriously. Businesses have been made aware of the post as well.
The posts targeting Merced and Fresno were disseminated following nationwide protests over the recent police killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. Floyd, an unarmed black man, died after being pinned down by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
A majority of protests have been peaceful, but some have turned into riots with looting.
Allen Brooks, president of the NAACP’s Merced branch, said he saw the message and suspects any calls for local riots were not instigated by Merced residents. He said those responsible are likely a small group trying to incite chaos and take advantage of the current situation.
“We love our town, so to riot and loot, its not even in the personality of our people,” Brooks said. “This is definitely not condoned by us,” he added.
Cavallero applauded the recent protests in the Merced area, which have been peaceful. He said the tone and motivation of the riot post is clearly different from those calling for peaceful protests.
“Obviously, there is a huge difference between inviting members of the community to a peaceful protest. . . and encouraging people to steal from a store. Those are two completely different issues,” he said.
Cavallero said he has been in contact with local officials and other area law enforcement leaders about the recent protests. Brooks said communication and outreach from local leaders, including Mayor Mike Murphy and police, has been very positive.
A townhall is in the works for next Tuesday that the mayor and police chief will attend, Brooks said. The town hall is aimed at discussing real policy changes to better the relationship between police and the community, he said. More details about the event will be released by the NAACP soon.
Officer sensitivity training and at least a six-step system before resulting to force are among the changes Brooks said he’d like to see. A panel made up of community members, not police, would also be helpful in looking at police brutality cases. Police policing themselves is problematic, he said.
The NAACP is also holding a candlelight vigil 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Merced County Courthouse Museum.
“Being able to assemble and express yourself in a lawful and peaceful way is hugely powerful. When it happens like that, it makes you proud,” Cavallero said.
“A lot of times, these important messages get lost in the noise of something becoming unlawful, and it’s distracting. The message becomes something else entirely.”
Brooks said he is appreciative of the protests and supports them, but it is not enough to only show up to one or two marches. People must advocate for the same cause every day, he said. Similar energy should be diverted at City Council, during School Board meetings and while casting votes for elected officials that will support the issues at hand, Brooks said.
This story was originally published June 2, 2020 at 6:52 PM.
