University and Los Angeles police, as well as local businesses, are trying to be prepared for any situation in Westwood and on campus this Saturday following the football game against University of Southern California.
Nancy Greenstein, the director of police community services for UCPD, said officers do not expect a repeat of last year’s events.
Last year, university police estimated that up to 2,000 people celebrated in the streets of Westwood after the win over USC.
Following the game, there were couch fires on Landfair Avenue and police using batons and firing guns with what witnesses believed to be rubber bullets, according to Daily Bruin archives.
Claudia Sevilla, a UCLA alumna, said she was one of the people injured by the LAPD after last year’s game.
While struggling to keep up with the crowd on crutches, Sevilla said she was struck by a rubber bullet fired by an officer.
“I slowed down a little to catch my breath, and I felt my ass get hit and I had to collapse on a car,” Sevilla said.
She said she was disappointed by the police response to the crowds.
“If (they) felt it was going to get that out of control, they should have been better prepared. They didn’t handle it well at all,” Sevilla said.
Officials said that on Saturday, Westwood and the North Village neighborhood will have more officers than usual patrolling the area, and there will be increased security at bars and restaurants where students can go to watch the game.
“We have a full staff on that day. That’s a no-brainer,” said John Stetson, owner of O’Hara’s, a popular Westwood bar.
Stetson added that such preparations are the standard procedure “every time UCLA plays in the big rivalry game.”
Ana Aguirre, a public information officer with the LAPD, said the department is following the general format for football games.
“Any game that they have there on any weekend is going to have additional security. There’s kind of a special detail that’s assigned to work every game … officers in and around the stadium, that type of thing.” Aguirre said.
She added that more officers from West Los Angeles would probably be sent to Westwood.
“What they usually do is deploy additional units to their patrol contingency to ensure they have enough personnel in case something does happen,” Aguirre said.
Greenstein said they will also be increasing police coverage in the area, but that students probably will not notice any difference.
“For the game, we’ll have extra officers available,” Greenstein said. “I just think (students should) consider it like any other busy, busy evening in Westwood.”
Greenstein added that students should remember to be safe during the festivities.
“Take precautions, be watchful for personal possessions, (and) you should always be careful if you’re over 21 and drinking,” she said.
Greenstein also said police officers will be watching for underage drinking.
Greenstein said she did not expect a repeat of last year’s events, and added that she hopes this year’s events “will be celebratory” and that officers will be working hard to keep it fun and safe for everyone.
“Hopefully it’ll be a nice evening,” she said.