Counter-protester praises Chino Police response to Oct. church protest; resident raises worship-safety concerns

A public speaker who identified himself as FT, appearing on behalf of the Los Angeles chapter of the Proud Boys (speaking as a counter-protester), told the Chino City Council on Nov. 4 that he observed professional policing during an October protest near Pipeline and Eucalyptus and urged the city to continue protecting residents' First Amendment rights.

"Officers maintained clear separation between groups, protected church property, and responded rapidly whenever tensions arose," FT said, adding that the police's rapid response "prevented what could have been a serious escalation." He recounted that during one incident "an elderly man carrying a sign was suddenly attacked. A member of our group stepped in to protect him until officers arrived." FT criticized what he described as misinformation that painted defenders as aggressors and thanked the Chino Police Department for "fairness, restraint, [and] dedication to public safety."

Separately during public comment, resident Lehi Alstorff told council he had raised concerns at a "coffee with a cop" event about safety at houses of worship and that he had followed up by email twice with an officer but received no reply. Alstorff said his remarks were "not against the Chino Police Department" but expressed disappointment that his safety suggestions had not received a response at the administrative level.

The council did not take formal action on either public comment during the meeting. Staff and council members acknowledged public concern about safety and the department's role; no new directives were announced during the evening's public-comment period.

Quotes in this article are taken from remarks made during the Nov. 4 meeting.