Leimert Aftermath: Throw Bernie Under the Bus?

As we continue to dig deeper into the raid on Leimert Park Sunday and alleged harrassment of the Shaw Family by City officials, something kept coming up.  The desire to place responsibility for the raid on Council Member Bernard Parks.

According to Zuma Dogg, police officers told him that the City Attorney was directed by the Council office (Bernard Parks) to conduct the raid on the park.  However, Council District 8 officials told Zuma Dogg that the office had nothing to do with the raid and had no direct knowledge of it beforehand.  Councilmember Parks Chief of Staff, Bernie Parks, Jr., told me directly that his office had no involvement or prior knowledge; when the news reports hit Monday was the first he was aware of it.

However this in direct conflict with the previous statements of an LAPD officer and a City report obtained by a source to the Sister City that listed Council District 8 as one of the participating agencies in the task force.

So obviously someone is not telling the truth here. Now this is where I digress into speculation.  After talking with Bernard Parks, Jr. as well as a few other individuals I believe that Parks' office is telling the truth about their involvement.  If the Council office has involved I doubt they would lie about it.  On the other hand officials of the LAPD Southwest Division have already demonstrated inconsistencies in their comments on the matter.

It is well known that there is no love lost between Council Member Parks, a former LAPD Chief and current Chief William Bratton.  Chief Bratton as well is a strong advocate against Jamiel's Law and has been critical of the Shaws and their supporters.  What better way to kill two birds with one stone - rattle the Shaws and finger Bernie for the effort.

Of course there is no evidence yet that Chief Bratton was involved in the planning of the raid nor that the Council office is telling the truth.  But at time when Councilmember Parks needs every Black vote he can get, I don't see him planning a secret police action against the Shaws. 

After all, Chief Bratton has endorsed Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas, Parks' opponent for Supervisor.