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Student protests, 1972-1973

1972-05-17 Iowa City Press-Citizen Article: ""Highway Patrol Learns Lesson in 'Prevention'"" Page 1

P-C 5/17/72

Miller Assesses Handling of Disturbances - 

Highway Patrol Learns Lesson in 'Prevention'
By CHARLES ROBERTS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa HIghway Patrol had learned that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," says Patrol Chief Col. Howard Miller. 
Miller, who headed the combine law enforcement effort to control the demonstrations in Iowa City last week said "The 'ounce of prevention' was moving in sooner than we had in earlier demonstrations before the trouble really got started. 
Although the several days of demonstrations in Iowa CIty were termed by some law enforcement officers at the worst in the university community's history, there generally was praise for the way the situation was handled by officers. 
As officers carried out a previously decided policy of preventing formation of large groups of youthful demonstrators, one University of Iowa professor was heard to remark, "It seems the patrol has learned a thing or two about crowd control since the last demonstrations" in the spring of 1971.
Miller said Tuesday the patrol, on too many occasions has arrived at the scene of civil disorder when damage had already been done. 
"We couldn't care less if they want to demonstrate," he said "as long as it's in a peaceful manner."
Equating the April, 1971,disorders with those last week,  the Highway Patrol leader said, "Selfishly, the demonstrations this year weren't so bad. The tax upon officers was less. We didn't have the rock throwing" that characterized confrontations one year ago. 
He recalled that 42 state troopers were injured by flying rocks and bricks in 1971 and only three were hurt this year. 
He said it appeared that the "eight or ten hardcore leaders" in last week's Iowa City disorders "had no defined objectives" and found it difficult to keep demonstrators interested in demonstrating. 
"It was evident to me," he said "that persons in the crowd who sympathized with the reasons for the demonstration went away when the rough stuff started."
He said it appeared that most people in the group of 300 or so demonstrators "agreed in principle, but not methodology"
Miller - who said he deeply respects today's youth- recalled he mingled with the demonstrators, "I was in full uniform, but I never feared for my personal safety. They've
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P-C 5/17/72 Miller Assesses Handling of Disturbances - Highway Patrol Learns Lesson in 'Prevention' By CHARLES ROBERTS DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa HIghway Patrol had learned that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," says Patrol Chief Col. Howard Miller. Miller, who headed the combine law enforcement effort to control the demonstrations in Iowa City last week said "The 'ounce of prevention' was moving in sooner than we had in earlier demonstrations before the trouble really got started. Although the several days of demonstrations in Iowa CIty were termed by some law enforcement officers at the worst in the university community's history, there generally was praise for the way the situation was handled by officers. As officers carried out a previously decided policy of preventing formation of large groups of youthful demonstrators, one University of Iowa professor was heard to remark, "It seems the patrol has learned a thing or two about crowd control since the last demonstrations" in the spring of 1971. Miller said Tuesday the patrol, on too many occasions has arrived at the scene of civil disorder when damage had already been done. "We couldn't care less if they want to demonstrate," he said "as long as it's in a peaceful manner." Equating the April, 1971,disorders with those last week, the Highway Patrol leader said, "Selfishly, the demonstrations this year weren't so bad. The tax upon officers was less. We didn't have the rock throwing" that characterized confrontations one year ago. He recalled that 42 state troopers were injured by flying rocks and bricks in 1971 and only three were hurt this year. He said it appeared that the "eight or ten hardcore leaders" in last week's Iowa City disorders "had no defined objectives" and found it difficult to keep demonstrators interested in demonstrating. "It was evident to me," he said "that persons in the crowd who sympathized with the reasons for the demonstration went away when the rough stuff started." He said it appeared that most people in the group of 300 or so demonstrators "agreed in principle, but not methodology" Miller - who said he deeply respects today's youth- recalled he mingled with the demonstrators, "I was in full uniform, but I never feared for my personal safety. They've PATROL Turn to Page 2A