Toledo defends choice to guard rock that was gift from China

Associated Press

TOLEDO

Ohio’s fourth-largest city is defending a decision to have police stand guard over a large rock painted with Chinese characters that was a gift to Toledo.

The Blade newspaper reports an officer watched over the rock last Friday night and early Saturday, before it was unveiled during a ceremony officially turning over part of the city’s Marina District to Chinese buyers.

The officer also guarded a tent and stage set up for the event.

A spokeswoman for Toledo Mayor Mike Bell says the city was concerned about possible vandalism though there were no specific threats. She says the city could have hired a private security firm but feared the police union might have objected.

The Chinese said the rock was meant as a symbol of the investors’ commitment to Toledo.