I see no reason why police cannot patrol through the encampment. I would think that would be welcome. Perhaps a team of police together. Public safety applies to everyone. If the protesters can respect police patrols without being threatened their rights aren't violated and they'll lose their protest site, I think police patrols would be a good idea.
I don't pretend to speak for anyone, but, I am confident #Occupy doesn't place itself above the law, so much seeks to exercise it. i am quite sure the residents of the protest site would welcome safety without intimidation if that is possible. I can't imagine why the two entities could not co-exist if safety is the true goal of the Mayor and his police department.
Occupy Boston encampment in downtown Boston is safe -- at least for now (click title of entry for video - thank you)
...Suffolk Superior Court Judge Frances A. McIntyre said today she would decide no later than Dec. 15 whether Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s administration will be permanently barred from forcibly shutting down the Dewey Square encampment without prior court approval.
After a lengthy hearing in which both the city and Occupy protesters battled over the conditions and meaning of the tent city, McIntyre extended the temporary restraining order she had issued against the city last month.
Two witnesses testified during the hearing, one for each side.
For the city, Boston Fire Marshal Bart Shea testified that the tents used by protesters have created a fire hazard that poses an immediate threat to the protesters and to the general public traveling through that neighborhood.
“I was appalled at what I saw, and to me it appears to be a chaotic scene,’’ he testified.
“A fire could rip right across the top of these tents before someone could get out.’’
Appearing for Occupy Boston, Kristopher Eric Martin testified that by setting up camp two months ago in Dewey Square, protesters were sending a message to workers in the Financial District office buildings that surround the encampment.
“We are providing an example to all those who come through here on how to have a better society,’’ he testified.
McIntyre quizzed witnesses about details of the camp -- whether it was handicapped-accessible, for example -- but did not inquire into the philosophical issues raised by the takeover of the public land by residents of a tent city....
