One Police Officer's Experiences
by
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From Chapter 25, 1970, Disneyland: The Yippies Come to Disneyland
A National Yippie Day to be held at Disneyland. This was the disturbing rumor being received by both the park and by the Anaheim police in early July of 1970. Rumors like this were not only received from local people and people statewide, but also from many in other states all the way to the East Coast. New York police, for example, mailed us a circular that had been taken from a yippie arrested there. It read, 'Anaheim, California, Orange County, Aug. 6, National Yippie Day, Disneyland U.S.A.' The circular showed Mickey Mouse in a tuxedo, holding his dress hat in one hand and a machine gun in the other.
Even a rumor of a possible disturbance at Disneyland could be of major consequence to park operations and to the peace of our community. Anaheim's Chief of Police, therefore, ordered the department's intelligence bureau to investigate the rumors. Their investigation confirmed the rumor that a major demon-stration at the park might become a reality.
Who were the yippies? Even today, more than three decades later, there is a wide variety of opinions as to who they were and who they represented. Yippies were not a formal organization but a loosely-linked group that existed throughout the United States, mainly in the larger cities. The movement was one of those things which has spread quickly by imitation, much the same as the beatniks and zoot-suiters of earlier generations and today's non-conformists. When yippies in one locale were asked what they stood for and believed in, the answers would be vastly different from those in another locale. But still there were large numbers of yippies, and they presented problems to communities and institutions of higher education. Disrespect for law and order and for school operation was common, and there were frequent yippie riots. People saying they were yippies generally dressed so they could be so identified: men with long hair, beards, or unshaven, and women with outlandish dresses. Their colorful clothing was usually ragged and unclean. Headbands, sometimes with messages printed on them were frequently worn. With some of them, baths seemed to be unheard of. Yes, yippies were easily identified, and they could be considered by most people to be oddities who were demonstrating their constitutional right to be different, unless they caused problems that were in violation of the law.
The Anaheim Police Department's intelligence bureau was able to gather information as to what this particular yippie group represented and why they would want to go to Disneyland. The circulars being distributed showed a picture of a marijuana leaf on the front, and on the back outlined their reasons for picking the park to make their statement. First, there was a war on, the circular noted, and yippies were against both the war in Vietnam and the draft. Second, 1970 was also the twenty-fifth anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II. Third, Disneyland was world-famous and a much-loved place. What better place could the yippies gather to show their discontent? On August 6th at Disneyland, they would proclaim free love, free dope and free fun. Many nationally known yippies such as Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, had been invited to attend, although our intelligence sources could not confirm that they had been invited or would be there.
Another reason for picking Disneyland was the yippie contention that many big corporations used it as a showcase, building exhibits to advertise themselves. For example, The Bank of America, which sponsored the Small World exhibit was named, though the yippies gave no explanation as to why this sponsorship was offensive.
Finally, Disneyland was a fantasy kingdom, and the yippies compared it with the fantasy most people live in every day and which allows them to ignore the miseries of the world.
'Wake up!' There's a war going on' the circulars cried out.
An in-depth investigation throughout the United States convinced authorities both at Disneyland and in the City of Anaheim that August 6, 1970, the self-proclaimed yippie day at Disneyland, could indeed become a reality. There was no way to calculate how many would attend, but we knew that many malcontents must be headed toward Anaheim.
(415 pages)
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About the Book
Harold Bastrup, tells about one police officer's experiences over a 34-year period, from his start as an inexperienced deputy in Kenosha, Wisconsin to the time of his retirement as Chief in Anaheim, California years later. Unusual, dramatic, and often bizarre recollections in both departments, as well as many humorous events are given in 59 chapters in the 415 page book including the chief's work with Walt Disney and Disneyland in its early years.
Each chapter is a story in itself, including an incident with an embarrassed deputy who had to cut a young ladies brassiere strap when giving first aid, how police officers deal with death situations, policing of rock concerts, and pranks officers play to relieve tension. Chapter titles include: Child Neglect and a Father's Death, Murder at the Disneyland Hotel, Cops Have Feelings, The Motorcycle Gangs, The Stripper, and Protecting VIPS (including Presidents).
Disney chapters include: Walt Disney Recollections, Emperor Comes to Disneyland, The Hippie Invasion, The Clown and His Balloons, Police Problems at Disneyland, The All Night Graduation Parties, and Walt Disney Has Words the King Never Hears.
- Harold Bastrup
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About the Author
Harold Bastrup is a retired police officer who served as a Police Officer for more than 30 years. He dedicates his book to his wife, Elsie, and his children, who all shared in his experiences, and to all law enforcement officers, both present and past, all of whom have their own stories to tell about their experiences in a fulfilling and honorable profession.