Chief Luis Velez told the City Council on Monday that the 70 police officers who responded to the Feb. 15 rally protesting possible military involvement in Iraq were not enough for the 3,000 demonstrators.

The crowd planned to line sidewalks on both sides of Academy Boulevard, a major thoroughfare, but a group of protesters broke with organizers' instructions and blocked traffic.

Velez said police need to increase their "overt videotaping" so protesters intent on breaking the law realize they aren't anonymous.

Police also must become more active in issuing rally permits, which shouldn't be granted so close to a busy street, he said.

Another issue revealed by an internal review was that some firefighters dressed in uniform were mistaken for police SWAT team members, and "all that did was heighten a level of anxiety in the crowd," Velez said.

Mayor Mary Lou Makepeace said she is satisfied with the police response.

But City Councilman Richard Skorman said the situation created a "fear factor" for law-abiding citizens who might avoid peace rallies in the future.