Chief Skinner talks Eugene riots

After a series of protests over the weekend turned into destructive riots, a press conference was held Monday morning with Mayor Lucy Vinis and Police Chief Chris Skinner.

Today eugene police spoke out on what their strategy was over the weekend and the point where actions by protesters crossed the line.

We have team coverage... kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy is live where the protest started peacefully -- to show us what police learned the last time rioters showed up.

Kennedy?

Today chief skinner shared that when this all began in late may, one thing was made very clear: that the eugene police department does*not have a lot of experience with dealing with crowds like the ones we saw over the weekend.

But he says thats not a bad thing.

And lessons were learned in the early stages, beneficial to both sides.

But now, after another riot formed this past weekend, he said that he is pleased with the amount of restraint theye shown... hovering drones over the scene.

Not enforcing a curfew.

And knowing when the appropriate time to use tear gas is.

Keeping the safety of officers was a focus, as rocks were thrown at police cars during the riot.

He says progress has been made.

"there wasn't a better day for us when we were able to take the boards and the fencing down at epd.

That was a milestone event for us and more than anything it was a statement to this community about our trust in the protesters with respective to them being able to continue being heard without engaging in violence especially at the pd."

And skinner says he has no plans of putting those boards and fences back up.

Today he shared that epd recognizes they made?huge mistake?

At the end of may that they dont want to repeat -- after riots got so out of hand, leading to a eugene that many say they didn even recognize.

Eugene police are asking anyone if photos or videos from any criminal activity over the weekend, in relation to the riots...to send them in to their detective.

Live in eugene kennedy dendy kezi 9 news.