Task force to review melee

It also directed Chief Jerry Hoover to provide an analysis of all 208 arrests made during the weekend.

Minority leaders and the American Civil Liberties Union had wanted a permanent police review board, but said they would accept the independent review as long as they were included on the task force.

"Hispanics, Latinos and Mexicans: We were portrayed as the main cause of the riots," Rosa Molina told the Reno Gazette-Journal. She said some police told Hispanics not to come back to Reno.

Hoover says his officers did not overreact despite allegations that they did. He says only four internal affairs complaints have been filed so far.

"I am proud of these officers," he told the Tuesday night meeting. "If there is criticism to be given, please put it on me."

He showed television footage of officers conducting sweeps of the city streets.

"What you do not see is overreaction by police," he said.

Councilwoman Candice Pearce criticized the restrictions Hoover put on liquor store sales, while casino bars remained open. The chief said the limits on liquor sales worked on three of the four nights of the event and he would meet with casino representatives to urge better control of sales.

The Council responded by approving an ordinance giving the chief the authority to "alter the normally established business hours" of any firm during a special event.

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