It could be a busy Saturday in Oakland, as marches and demonstrations are planned in the downtown area for May Day.
The city is advising businesses to double check their security cameras and bring in anything that can be used to break windows. That's in case things go awry, which is not the point of these marches and car caravans.
So, for those groups who want a safe path for demonstration, officials are hoping organizers will reach out to police negotiators ahead of time to just touch base.
Police Spokesperson Johnna Watson said the idea is to ferret out the troublemakers who may attempt to assault community members and officers, or cause damage to businesses.
"Again, these are small groups that will come in and try to attach themselves to a larger group who has a different intention," she told KCBS Radio. "So, we have cancelled all days off. All available staff at the Oakland Police Department will be available."
The staffers will also be ready for stepped up sideshow enforcement later in the evening. The reckless driving displays have spread to previously unblemished intersections.
So far, police report 42 shootings at sideshows this year.
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