The City of Los Angeles is on Tactical Alert

by Alison Powell

This is our daughter’s first step. This is a preliminary step. This is her on her feet. This is proactive. This is freedom. This is working to tackle the issues. This is transitional. This is a special force. This is our daughter standing unaided. This is a team trained to handle situations beyond the capabilities of ordinary law enforcement. This is pivotal. This is a high level of violence. This is crucial. This is the controlled redistribution of on-duty personnel. This is finding balance. This is an obstacle in the way. This is a glance for confirmation that yes, she has found her vertical. This is a response to a major incident. This is me grabbing your wrist and urging you to: Look! This is city wide. This is you locked into your screen. This is a result of low-staffing. This is our daughter smiling. This is due to disruption. This is you not responding. This is in response to a protest. This is in response to her unaided standing. This is a response to anticipated looting. This raised voice is my response to your lack of response. This is a heightened level of response. This is your glance in the wrong direction. This is a response where officers can be kept on past their shift end time. This is inattention to what is important. This is a force being moved around between divisions. This is your daughter falling. This is a precursor to a mobilization. This is you missing the moment. This is intervening in high-risk situations. This is our daughter crying. This is a stun grenade. This is violence. This is tear gas. This is too much. This is suspicion of assault. This is a protest. This is a protest. This is all of us on tactical alert.