By Dave Hirschman, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Looking a bit like a Roman legion suddenly transported to modern Savannah, the phalanx inched forward across a bucolic field of live oaks.
“Move! Move! Move!” the 50 chanted as they stepped in unison toward an imaginary enemy. “Move! Move! Move!”
Four months before the Group of Eight summit of world leaders comes to Sea Island - presumably attracting thousands of anti-globalization activists, political protesters and anarchists - police in this normally laid-back city are organizing their own sort of welcome.
Wearing Kevlar helmets and body armor, and carrying shields and metal batons, police more accustomed to rounding up tipsy St. Patrick’s Day revelers showed off new riot-suppression skills last week. Moving as one in close formation, they quickly shifted direction.
“They look like the [Radio City] Rockettes,” an observer from the Savannah Fire Department noted.
Law enforcement agencies from across the state are beginning to put their security plans into action. This week, police will begin specialized training in Forsyth County, but they won’t say exactly what that training entails.
“Right now, there’s a massive coordinating effort between the Secret Service, FBI, Homeland Security and state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Loretta Lepore, spokeswoman for Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Savannah’s riot control dress rehearsal at the city’s police stable was witnessed by local media and a couple of curious horses.Police hope to assure nervous coastal residents that they’re prepared for anything. In a city known for historic preservation and graciousness, they say they also want to be good hosts.
“Our focus is to make sure legitimate protesters are allowed to get their points across,” said Lt. George Walker, a veteran of 32 Savannah St. Patrick’s Days. “That’s our right as Americans. They’re welcome to make any statements they want to make.”
Capt. Gerry Long, a 22-year veteran in charge of G-8 police planning, went to an international trade summit in Miami three months ago to witness the types of protests Savannah police might face in June - and the kinds of tactics that work. Many observers and protesters faulted the Miami police for what they say was unnecessary use of force.
Long and other Savannah officers also have studied previous annual G-8 summits, where there have been more than 100,000 protesters. Clashes between protesters and police have resulted in millions of dollars in property damage, arrests, injuries and a death in Genoa, Italy, in 2001.
Uncertain what to expect, Georgia officials are preparing for the worst.
Sgt. Kenneth Patton, 44, a burly former Marine who normally patrols Savannah in an air-conditioned cruiser, is doing aerobic workouts to prepare for the G-8 front lines. He has been through lots of rowdy crowds during 17 years here, but regards obnoxious drunks as benign compared to sober anarchists.
“People come here for St. Patrick’s Day to have a good time,” he said. “This time, at least some of the people are coming here to do destruction.”
Savannah protest organizers say their demonstrations will be peaceful.
Officials won’t say how many of the 600-member Savannah-Chatham County Metropolitan Police Department will be on riot control duty during the summit. As many as 10,000 county, state and federal law enforcement officials could be activated.
“If you’re qualified to be a police officer, you’re qualified to work this duty,” said Bucky Burnsed, a Savannah police spokesman. “We’ve got to be ready for anything.”