The image of Waymo flambé on the streets of downtown Los Angeles on June 8 is symbolic.

That’s what we were told by a piece in the LA Times that delved into what prompted some participating in the mayhem, as opposed to protesting per se against ICE immigration raids, to torch Waymos.

The reporter interviewed those sympathetic to the idea of committing arson to release billowing clouds of toxic chemicals from lithium batteries into the otherwise pristine LA air.

They basically inferred burning Waymo taxis was pushing back at Big Brother.

The taxis, they correctly pointed out, are loaded with cameras. And as such, they are spying on us.

The reporter backed this up by citing instances where LA Police secured Waymo footage in bids to solve crimes and determine what happened in a major accident that did not involve one of the taxis.

Too bad the reporter never asked the obvious question: If burning Waymo taxis was a way of striking back at Big Brother and growing surveillance, then why were the self-perceived freedom fighters videoing their handiwork with smartphones?

Waymo cameras are a mere flea in comparison with the 900-pound gorilla that smartphones loaded with all kinds of apps are that can keep tabs on the users.

That means the Waymo burners are either morons, grasping at any excuse to legitimize a criminal act, or are old-fashioned fire bugs getting their jollies under the cloak of a massive protest.

Their action – and supporting words of justification – are as wacko as those of the powers that be elected to office in DC, Sacramento, and LA.

Damaging and looting businesses — many owned by immigrants — shutting down freeways while hurling chunks of concrete at CHP officers and their units, and tossing Molotov cocktails isn’t exercising constitutionally protected free speech. Nor is it a peaceful protest. It’s blatant criminal behavior.

And, if you take the word of LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell, the majority of those that stuck around to cause mayhem when the bulk of the ICE protest crowd dispersed each day where known agitators who jump at any opportunity to give them cover to engage in mayhem.

No one, however, in LA seemed to be willing to call them for what they are – anarchists.

It is what Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf did in 2020 when a small part of the Bay Area city’s downtown was repeatedly destroyed week after week in the aftermath of the George Floyd’s death.

Of course, LA Mayor Karen Bass didn’t dare use the “A” word — nor could Gov. Gavin Newsom for that made — as it would play into the hand President Trump was playing. Hyperbole comes as natural to Trump as does breathing.

Arguing that he kept LA from burning to the ground by sending in troops is even over the top for Newsom especially since it hadn’t even been six months since more than 12,000 structures — mostly homes – were destroyed in LA wildfires. There were only 600 National Guard troops that augmented local law enforcement to reduce the potential for looting and assist in other ways during the LA wildfires. That contrasts to some 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines deployed to LA for the ICE protests.

Do not misunderstand. The Marines securing federal buildings and providing backup protection for ICE agents doing their job is clearly something that LA could not be entrusted with for a variety of reasons.

The LA Police Department is 500 to 600 officers short staffed depending upon whose numbers you believe.

After what was allowed to happen to previous federal buildings that “protestors” have defaced, damaged, tried to occupy, and shut down in recent years in places like Seattle, Portland and Oakland is a serious concern.

There is also the little detail LA is a self-proclaimed “sanctuary city,” which means giving local authorities a heads up for any ICE operation can severely compromise it.

That said, LA was treated as if it was a modern-day battle for Iwo Jima.

OK, that’s hyperbole but so was the response.

The bottom line is this nation has a serious problem with “anarchists” or younger adults who are too jacked up on stupidity and perhaps sent to new highs of mayhem by extensive exposure to video gaming or wanting to score clicks on social media.

They’re not even agitators in the mid-19OOs sense of the word given they are not the ones organizing the ICE protests that are being led by basically law-abiding groups and individuals.

They latch on for the ride and go from there.

It is why California State Senator Scott Weiner of San Francisco can do everyone a favor and lead us out of this mess. Weiner recently introduced legislation dubbed the “No Secret Police Act” banning law enforcement officers in California from covering their faces while on duty except for SWAT teams, health reasons and other emergencies such as wildfires.

The big offender, of course, is ICE. Whether such a law can be applied constitutionally to federal officers is an open question.

Weiner should introduce another bill called the “No Career Anarchist Act” that allows stepped up minimum sentencing for repeat violent acts committed by documented anarchists. It would be similar to enhancements slapped on documented gang members who commute repeat acts of violence.

The LA Police indicate many of those engaging in violent acts during the recent protests are known to them due to previous activity.

Street gangs and anarchists per se can legally exist. But when they participate in organized criminal activity it changes everything.

Anarchists who seize every opportunity of cover to burn, loot, destroy and disrupt need to face enhanced penalties that put them in prison for a long time just like their counterparts in gangs with stepped up criminal activity.

We don’t need career criminals lighting the powder keg just like we don’t need rhetoric and actions on both sides of issues such as illegal immigration and, for want of a better term,  those who simply uttered the words “I’m seeking asylum” to gain entry into the USA  to do the same.

LA isn’t burning. Even so, it might not be smart for Elon Musk anytime soon to deploy driverless Tesla taxis on the streets of downtown Los Angeles.

—  This column is the opinion of Dennis Wyatt, and does not necessarily represent the opinions of The Courier or 209 Multimedia. He may be reached at dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com