Southern California

Police Prepare for Next Possible Wave of Rowdy Soccer Fans

Wary law enforcement officials say they plan on beefing up their staffs Sunday when Mexico takes on the Netherlands in the World Cup, a match that could send another wave of rowdy soccer fans into the streets.

Several people were taken into custody Monday during raucous street celebrations in Huntington Park and the San Fernando Valley after Mexico advanced to the second round of the international soccer competition.

Five people were arrested in Huntington Park, police said, including two for public intoxication and one for throwing a bottle at officers. In the Pacoima area, seven people were detained, all of whom were allegedly drunk in public.

"I think (it was) a combination of people being really happy and maybe a little bit over-beveraged," said Los Angeles Police Cmdr. Andy Smith.

In Huntington Park, a small city with a history of "large scale civil unrest" during World Cup competitions, officials said there will be extra police on hand Sunday, and they'll be backed by officers from the nearby cities of Bell and Bell Gardens if needed.

The Los Angeles Police Department, which typically has hundreds of officers on duty Sundays, also said it will be ready to deal with any large disturbances.

"We're look at the possibility of what may happen, and we're getting ready to re-deploy officers and move them around as we need them," Smith said.

Los Angeles City Councilman Felipe Fuentes, whose district includes Pacoima, said his office received no complaints about Monday night's police response, which he called "appropriate." His office has been in meetings with police over what to do during the next game.

"I don't know that (police) can predict any one place of the city of Los Angeles sort of over-celebrating, but you can rest assured that they'll be prepared," Fuentes said.

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