ILWU International Vice President Ray Familathe along with Local 13 President Chris Viramontes, Local 63 President Mike Podue, Local 94 President Danny Miranda and IBU Regional Director John Skow spoke at the Los Angeles Port Commission meeting on May 16 to express their support for the Los Angeles Port police and the work they do to keep the harbor safe. Several Port Police officers who are members ILWU Local 65 were in attendance.
The ILWU officers expressed concern about the possibility of other law enforcement agencies encroaching on the jurisdiction of the Port Police. “We don’t want a duplication of efforts with other law enforcement agencies,” said Local 65 President and Port Police Officer Nathaniel Blair. “We have a good working relationship with other agencies but we are the primary law enforcement agency for the Port of Los Angeles.”
“The LA Port Police have been serving the Port for over 100 years,” said Vice President Familathe. “This is a unique community. The Port Police know the workers and the businesses here. Another agency can’t just drop-in and fill the same role as the Port Police.”