LAPD Blog

ACTION vs. ACTIVISM

Hello again.  I am Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph.  As you know, I am the Liaison between the homeless community and LAPD Central Community Police Station.  As Safer Cities rolls along, I must say that I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far.

As our efforts spread throughout the skid row area, it appears that my desire of a crime free environment for the homeless, business, and service communities is becoming a reality.  As a police officer, there were many days when I felt that real change in this community would never come to pass. I never really felt that people outside of this station cared like I did about the people of skid row.  But now with the right leadership in place here, we are making what was once said to be impossible, possible. 

As I walk the streets of my area, it pleases me to see less homeless and mentally ill individuals wandering the streets with black eyes, and swollen cheeks.  Fewer individuals are running to my patrol vehicle pleading for assistance after being brutalized by gang members, and other criminals within the midst of the homeless community.

We have been allowed to police aggressively and with compassion which shows this skid row community that what we are doing does not come from a place of malice or as an agenda for development interests as our detractors tout.

As I mentioned in each of my prior blog entries, there are those that want us to fail.  One of them is a small activist group who claims to be “for the homeless.”  This group hides the truth from their willing listeners by feeding them perverted versions of the real reasons we are down here. 

When I first met this group I truly believed that their ultimate goal for the community was a positive one.  But when you have to lie, embellish or demonize your perceived enemies to do so, it leads me to question what they really stand for.  Are they really for the homeless, or just for their goals.

The real conflict between groups like these and the Police Department is a contrast in ideologies.  Most activists today believe that their agenda is far more important than the individual human being affected by the situation they claim to be trying to improve.  By this I mean that they do not care how many people get stabbed, overdose, or robbed on skid row.  It doesn’t matter how many officers’ good names they smear, or how long they stymie the system, as long as in the end they get what they what they want.  In their minds, the end justifies the means.

This is in direct conflict of our objective, which has nothing to do with any agenda; it is just our job.  And that job is to protect every single individual that lives, works, or provides a service in the skid row area to the best of our ability on a daily basis.

They use huge fancy words like “Criminalization” and “Gentrification” to vilify the image of our officers.  From the outside looking in, they sound pretty impressive.  While touting their rhetoric, they conveniently leave out the drug dealing, the gang violence, and prostitution that occurred right outside of their office on a daily basis before the inception of Safer Cities.  The truth is, we cannot “criminalize” anyone.  If you don’t break the law, you won’t get a ticket or go to jail.  For far too long, people in skid row were pretty much allowed to break any law they wanted.  Due to groups like the one I speak of and powerful attorneys who back them, the criminal element in the area saw their lawless behavior as a “Civil Right.”  Also due to a lack of resources at the time, there was very little we could do to curb it.   

In the latest edition of their newsletter, I was appalled by their support of light sentences for drug dealers, who have for years thrived from poisoning or assisting the poisoning of this community which I believe is designed to rehabilitate those in need on skid row.

As I stated, there are people who profit from keeping people broke, uneducated and high.  I truly believe that this group and groups like it do not want crime and lawlessness in skid row to stop because it does not benefit them.   The reason why is simple.  These groups are funded via private donations.  If there is no one on the street overdosing, defecating, or prostituting in tents, it becomes harder for them to go to their donors and beg for money using sob stories of how they need funding to stop homelessness.  They hide from their donors the fact that the driving force keeping people down and out on the row is narcotics and the crime it produces.  They also fail to disclose that no amount of housing or drug programs that may come to this area will do a bit of good unless we rid this community of the criminal element that drive people to the drug programs over and over again. 

To me, they get more of a kick from “sticking it” to the police department, than becoming a partner with us in protecting the homeless.  In their newsletter, it is not the gang members or drug dealers that are the brutes, though they unmercifully cause some of the most heinous atrocities in the Skid Row area.  But we are the brutes when we try to enforce laws that truly keep these atrocities from happening.

That is the reality of skid row.  If we let them tell it, we are helping no one.  But if you ask the service providers who happily report a jump in people seeking their services, street dwellers and business owners who feel safer, I’m sure you will get a different response.

This group claims to be the “voice of the homeless” community, but they are not.  They are the same handful of people in orange shirts who routinely stage protest and call us monsters for trying to stop the crime that has crippled this community for decades. At every chance they repeatedly disrupt meetings in order to confuse the community so they do not understand our true purpose.  I truly believe that if this group and groups like it would spend as much time and energy protesting the gang members and drug peddlers, we wouldn’t have the need for a safer cities initiative.

It baffles me as they target us when we enter hotels to rid them of violent criminals and sex offenders, yet they do nothing about elderly members of the community being extorted by gang members within these same hotels.  They do nothing about the narcotics packaging and sales that are rampant within these hotels.

I truly believe that our efforts will cause skid row to be a place where the homeless can really benefit from the services provided within the area that we are in full support of.  We will let them rant and chant. It’s their right to do so.  But we will continue our efforts to truly help the homeless, for I feel we have done more for the homeless then they will ever do. 

It was not this group that exposed hospitals dumping patients still in need of medical assistance, we did.  This group never challenges the crime syndicates that truly exploit the homeless.  Whether we had the resources or not, whether we had the support of other agencies or not, we confronted these individuals to the best of our abilities.  When juveniles targeted homeless and handicapped people with violent malicious assaults, it was the Officers of Central Division who put a stop to it.  While they beg and cry for more programs, we refer people to programs.  While they sang parodies of Christmas carols, we gave out care packages to homeless people.

These activist are quick to videotape us when we arrest someone.  They make up their own biased minds as to why, but when they observe us providing medical care and shelter for the homeless they turn the cameras away.  They only want the public to see what they want the public to see, but refuse to tell the truth. We do not hide from their cameras.  In fact, I welcome them for we have nothing to hide.  So let them have their activism.  We are about action, and changing the face of skid row from a place of lawlessness, to a place of true healing and rehabilitation for the homeless.

But don’t take my word for it.  I urge anyone willing to see the side that some news reporters won’t show you, and activist won’t tell you, to come on down to skid row for one of our community walks.  We can meet in person and I vow to be honest, open and candid.  Just E-mail me at 32511@lapd.lacity.org, and I will give you the next date.  Looking forward to it.

Yours truly,

Senior Lead Officer D. Joseph.

LAPD Hits Strength Milestone Graduation Tomorrow

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department broke the 9,500 mark for sworn officers on February 17, 2007. The department's sworn strength was officially 9,503, the highest since 1999 when the LAPD reached 9,590 sworn.

"This is a credit to Commander Ken Garner and his staff, as well as the Personnel Department for their recruitment efforts," said Chief William Bratton. "Equal credit goes to the mayor and the city council for their support of a 10,000-officer department."

The LAPD was under 9,000 in 2002 when Chief Bratton became chief of police. That year, sworn numbers dipped to the lowest since 1995, topping out at 8,247.

Los Angeles has one of the smallest officer-to-resident ratios of any major city in the nation, with one officer for every 436 residents, compared to New York City with one for every 228 residents.

First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell will preside over tomorrow's graduation of 39 men and 5 women from the Los Angeles Police Academy in Elysian Park. The officers have completed 1,035 hours of instruction and practical application, and they will spend the remaining ten months completing their training in the field at one of the nineteen police stations.

Among the graduates were 11 Caucasians, 23 Hispanics, 2 African Americans, 2 Filipinos, and one Korean. The class also graduated two officers for the Department of Generals Services, which provides security for city facilities.

Information for tomorrow's graduation:

Date:    March 2, 2025
Time:    9 AM
Place:    Police Academy, Elysian Park, Athletic Field
1880 N. Academy Drive
Los Angeles

NORTH HOLLYWOOD SHOOT-OUT ANNIVERSARY

North Hollywood Shoot-out 9-1-1 tapes (total time 43:46 minutes)

Mayor Villaraigosa, Chief Bratton, and state and local dignitaries observed the tenth anniversary of the infamous North Hollywood Shoot-Out at a press conference on February 28. Standing across the street from the Bank of America where the fateful incident took place, the events of those horrific 44 minutes were recounted to local media and community members.

Chief Bratton called the response to one of the most violent acts in modern police history "LAPD’s finest hour." The shoot-out is regarded as an icon of police heroism under fire throughout law enforcement agencies worldwide, as our officers were outgunned but unfazed by this limitation. By the end of the shoot-out, the two perpetrators had fired over 1,100 rounds of ammunition, while LAPD officers fired about 750 rounds. Through sheer bravery, determination, superior training, communication, and cooperation, the situation was resolved with no police or civilian fatalities.

Many of the officers involved in the incident were present and commended yesterday, including Officer Anthony Cabunoc, Detective Thomas Culotta, Officer Richard Massa, Detective Vincent Bancroft and Sergeant James Zboravan. Captain William Sweet of the North Hollywood Area was awarded with a proclamation from the Mayor. Additionally, Dr. Jorge Montes, who treated several wounded officers in his dental office across the street from the bank, was acknowledged for his selfless acts.

Other dignitaries who spoke included State Assemblymember Richard Alarcon, Councilmember Wendy Greuel, Sheriff Lee Baca, and Deputy Chief Michel Moore.

The North Hollywood Shoot-Out is an example of the danger and challenges LAPD officers face in their profession. It lives on as a reminder to all that our officers, in the face of danger, run toward the sound of gunfire and never give in.

Dog-Nappers Caught on Tape

Los Angeles: Police are seeking the public's help in identifying two men who broke into a Korean family's home and stole four pure-bred terrier puppies as well as the family's pet terrier, Tan-ja, at gunpoint.

"The family had advertised the Yorkshire terriers in a newspaper," said Lieutenant Paul Vernon.  "It appears the suspects answered the ad, knowing the value of the puppies."

Just before 10 o'clock Friday night, two Black men posed as prospective buyers at the home in the 200 block of North Manhattan Place.  When a woman opened the door, one suspect pulled a gun and the robbers forced their way in.  They ordered the family to lie on the floor while one robber rounded up the puppies.  They placed the four puppies and the family dog in a black bag and left in a silver car.

The family's surveillance system captured the home invasion on tape, and they hope its release will result in the return of Tan-ja. Detectives are most eager to identify the suspects before they strike again.

No one was injured in the robbery, but the family is most concerned about the loss of Tan-ja, which they have had for over three years. The puppies were valued at $2,500 each.

The dog-nappers were described as Black, medium height, and in their mid-twenties.  One appeared about 150 pounds, while the second was slightly heavier.

"This robbery is a good lesson to residents that soliciting buyers to one's home can be a risky practice," Lieutenant Vernon added.  "When soliciting sales from home, it may be better to meet prospective buyers at a neutral place where there are lots of other people around."

Surveillance video of the robbery

Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire Division robbery detectives Webster Wong or Ron Kim at 213-922-8205.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

To Protect and to Serve

A new feature to the Blog is a "Commendation Section" highlighting an officer's actions in living up to the Department's motto, To Protect and To Serve. It will also serve to give you some insight into the activities of the men and women who patrol the City of Los Angeles whom they have taken an oath to faithfully protect. This first article describes the actions of two officers assigned to Hollenbeck Area.

In August 2006, at 1000 in the evening, three radio calls were generated on East Avenue 28. One was a "Screaming Female," a second "Ambulance ADW," and a third, "Possible 187 (Murder) just occurred. Officers Alfaro and Cruz, Hollenbeck Area responed to the call along with several other units.

When Alfaro and Cruz arrived, they observed a group of male gang members standing on the sidewalk in from of the address holding baseball bats.  One of them yelled, "He's upstairs, he just killed my sister!" Alfaro and Cruz observed a female adult unconscious lying on her back at the bottom of the stairs leading up to an apartment.  She appeared to have been stabbed multiple times and was bleeding profusely from the back of her neck. As Officer Alfaro was broadcasting information and requesting an ambulance a male yelled, "There are two babies up there with him!" Several others screamed, "He's going to kill the two babies!"

After assessing the situation, Officer Alfaro realized that they did not have time to wait until the additional units arrived.  Fearing for the safety of the two defenseless babies, Officer Alfaro informed Communications Division that the suspect remained in the apartment with the two babies, and that he and Officer Cruz were going to enter the apartment.  Alfaro debriefed the situation with Officer Cruz, a probationary officer with three weeks on the job, developed a tactical plan and agreed to enter the apartment.

After climbing over the deceased, Alfaro and Cruz ascended the stairs where they encoutered a large German Shepard.  Fortunately for the officers, the German Shepard obeyed Alfaro's commands and retreated.  At the entrance to the apartment, the officers found two locked doors.  Officer Alfaro was able to quickly unlock one and forcibly open the other.  Upon entering the apartment, Alfaro and Cruz could see two babies in a crib that was up against a far wall.  There appeared to be blood smeared on the bars of the crib.  One of the babies was lying face down in an unnatural position. 

Suddenly, the suspect appeared in the doorway holding a large knife, but quickly retreated from the officer's view.  With tactical precision using available cover, Officers Alvaro and Cruz worked their way to the kitchen where they encountered the suspect lying on the floor.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.  Officer Alfaro returned to the crib, picked up the infants and noted that both were unharmed.

Due to the rapidly unfolding events, Alfaro and Cruz were unaware that another call had been received by Communications Division with the caller reporting that the suspect inside the apartment had just killed his wife and stepson. The preliminary investigation would disclose the discovery of the 15-year-old stepson lying in the courtyard stabbed numerous times.  Both he and his mother died as a result of their stab wounds.

Officer Alvaro was commended for his tactical expertise and ability to make a split-second decision that undoubtedly saved the lives of two infants.  Alfaro recognized that Immediate Action Rapid Deployment tactics were warranted in this incident, as they did not have the luxury of wating for their fellow officers.  Officer Cruz was commended for maintaining his composure and using sound tactics. Both officers are commended for their bravery.  From your fellow officers thank you for a job well done. 

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics February 24, 2007

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

   

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

   

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                 48               67             -28%
Rape                                       97              127             -24%
Robbery                                2054            2178              -6%
Agg Assaults **                        1816            1981            -8%
Total Violent Crimes             4,015          4,353           -8%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                               2,965               3,040            -2%
Auto Theft                           3,715               3,684             1%
BTFV                                   4,955               4,617              7%
Personal/Other Theft            3,743               4,178         -10%
Total Property Crimes         15,378            15,519         -1%
Total Part I Crimes              19,393            19,872         -2%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Suspicious Vehicle Fire Investigation

Los Angeles: LAPD Robbery-Homicide Detectives and LAFD Arson investigators are conducting a joint investigation into an early morning vehicle fire that claimed the life of a woman and injured a man.

On February 28, 2007, at about 1:00 AM, California Highway Patrol officers, along with Los Angeles City firefighters and Los Angles police officers, responded to a report of a vehicle engulfed in flames on the shoulder of the northbound Golden State Freeway, north of the Glendale Freeway.  First responders discovered a green 4-door Honda Accord ablaze.  A man near the Honda had been burned.  He was taken to a local area hospital.  Due to the extent of his injuries, he could not be interviewed by authorities.

After the blaze was extinguished, police discovered the badly burned body of a woman in the front seat of the Honda.  Due to the extent of her burns, she could not be identified and an autopsy by the Coroner's Office will attempt to identify her through dental records.

Authorities listed the cause and the type of the fire as suspicious and are treating the investigation as an arson-related murder.  A medical examination by the Coroner's Office  will determine if fire was the cause of death, or if the woman had been killed by some other means prior to the fire.

The man was identified as Noel Allen Tuazon, 39, a resident of Los Angeles.   

Anyone who may have witnessed the early morning fire is asked to contact Robbery-Homicide detectives at 213-485-2129.  On weekends or during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Addition to Most Wanted List Announced

Los Angeles:  With the capture of LAPD's first Top-10 Most Wanted gang member on February 21, Police Chief William Bratton and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today the name of the next local gang member to be added to the list.

Fernando Araujo, 19, is a member of the Canoga Park Alabama (CPA) criminal street gang in the San Fernando Valley.  An arrest warrant for attempted murder was issued for him after he was implicated in the August 26, 2006, drive-by shooting of an 18-year-old college football player, who was standing outside a youth center near Deering Avenue and Gault Street.  Araujo is also implicated in a second drive-by shooting from August, and is wanted as a material witness in a third shooting.

Detectives believe Araujo was one of several gang members in the car that sped by and fired.  Detectives believe the gang targeted the football player because he is Black.  Witnesses reported hearing a racial slur uttered as the shooting took place.  The CPA gang has garnered a reputation for targeting its victims based on race. Ten shootings in the last six months have been attributed to the CPA gang; all ten victims were Black.  Six arrests have been made in four of the shootings.

The cars used in the August 26 drive-by shooting were a 1990s, white Mazda and a tan Ford Explorer.

Araujo is short and thin, with black hair and brown eyes.  The bail on the warrant was set at $3,050,000.

Members of the community are encouraged to call their local police station or the LAPD's toll-free number with information about local gang activity.  The City Council has authorized up to $50,000 as a reward for information that leads to the capture of any of the Top-10 Most Wanted Gang Members.  The LAPD's toll-free number is 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Persons with information about Fernando Araujo may contact the West Valley Area gang unit at 818-374-7870.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Top-10 Gangster Arrested in Guatemala

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department announced the capture of its first Top-10 wanted gang member, 22-year-old Angel Zevallos.  He was arrested in Guatemala on February 21, and flown to Houston, Texas, the next day. Zevallos has waived an extradition hearing in Houston, and detectives from the Hollywood Police Station will pick up Zevallos on Thursday and fly him back to Los Angeles.

"This capture was truly a team effort," said Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton.  "It was impressive to see how quickly this all came together.  Interpol inspectors, deputy US marshals in the US embassy in Guatemala, and LAPD detectives worked as if they were across the room, rather than across a continent."

Chief Inspector Wilfredo Ramos, the Director of Interpol in Guatemala, was tipped off to Zevallos' presence during an unrelated kidnapping investigation.  A local resident mentioned a suspicious, tattooed man who had moved into the neighborhood in Guatemala City and was bragging about a murder in Los Angeles.  The informant discreetly supplied Zevallos' name and two photographs taken with a cell phone.

Inspector Ramos verified the suspicious man was Zevallos, a Peruvian national, who was in Guatemala illegally since December 2006. Interopol contacted LAPD's Foreign Prosecution Liaison Unit (FPLU) and discovered Zevallos was wanted for shooting a security guard at the Buddha Bar in Hollywood on February 9, 2006.  The guard had survived, but has never fully recovered from the rifle shot.

Los Angeles detectives coordinated Zevallos' capture with Interpol and the Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the US Embassy in Guatemala City on February 19.  The RSO is a deputy US Marshal who maintains close contacts with LAPD. 

Deputy US marshals escorted Zevallos on a flight from Guatemala to Houston, Texas, on February 21, 2007.  Special Agents from the US State Department's Diplomatic Security Service also helped in Zevallos' transfer from Guatemala to the USA.

Detectives believe Zevallos escaped to Guatemala by way of Las Vegas, Nevada, after the Hollywood shooting.  Detectives traced Zevallos to Las Vegas and the local FBI office assisted in looking for him, but the trail went cold until the call came from Interpol last week.

The replacement on the Top-10 Most Wanted gang member list will be announced on a separate news release.

Gang Member Shot Aiming Handgun at Police

Los Angeles:  A known gang member running from police was shot and killed as he aimed a loaded handgun at officers Saturday evening.

On February 24, 2007, at approximately 7:35 p.m., police assigned to Metropolitan Division were working a crime suppression detail in Newton Area.  The officers were driving an unmarked police vehicle.  At approximately 7:35 p.m., Police Officer III Mark Blizzard and his partner conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle near 36th Street and Broadway.  As soon as the vehicle stopped, one of its three occupants, Marcellus Wright, 25, jumped out and ran east.  The other two occupants sped away.  Officer Blizzard and his partner remained in the police car and followed Wright as he ran west on 36th Place, until he stopped and ran back in the officers' direction. 

Wright pulled a handgun from his waistband and aimed at police.  Officer Blizzard discharged his weapon leading to Wright's demise.  No officers were injured in the incident.  Wright's loaded .30-caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene.

Officer Blizzard is 42 years old and has been with the department for 16 years.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

Barricaded Gang Member Arrested After Aiming Firearm at Police Officers

Los Angeles: A paroled gang member with a history of committing violent crimes was arrested Sunday night after refusing to comply with police instructions, brandishing a handgun at officers and attempting to elude arrest by hiding in a residential attic.  He ultimately surrendered to SWAT officers after a 12-hour stand off.

On February 25, 2007, at approximately 11:25 a.m., police from Van Nuys Area station were dispatched to a man with a gun call at a residence in the 7500 block of North Sepulveda Boulevard.  Officers had been summoned to the same location earlier in the morning for an assault with a deadly weapon call, but the suspect was gone when they arrived. When officers returned a second time, they saw the suspect, Gonzalo Escoto, 34, in a vehicle.  Officers followed Escoto as he parked near his residence and fled on foot.  Police then saw Escoto remove a handgun from his waistband and point it in the officers' direction. Police Officer III Paul Williams, 40, 17 years with the department, fired his weapon.  The suspect was not struck.

Escoto ran into the house and barricaded himself, refusing to come out.  Police officers learned that Escoto was still armed.  LAPD SWAT was summoned.  During the course of the day, Escoto repeatedly refused to surrender despite the deployment by police of over 100 canisters of tear gas into the house.  SWAT officers eventually entered the residence and located Escoto in the attic.  He was taken into custody without further incident.  The suspect's weapon was not recovered.

Escoto is a confirmed gang member and parolee.  He was previously deported for violent crimes and returned to the United States illegally.  When taken into custody, he was under the influence of narcotics and alcohol.  Subsequent to his arrest, he was transported to Valley Presbyterian Hospital as a precaution and later released to police custody.

Escoto was charged for assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

Force Investigation Division personnel responded to the scene and are investigating both the officer-involved shooting and the assault with a deadly weapon on the officers.

Questions may be directed to Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

Man Dies in Drive-By

Los Angeles: :  Los Angeles police detectives are asking for the public’s help for information in the shooting death of a Spurgeon McClendon, 19, in the area of 28th Street and Vermont Avenue in Exposition Park, early Sunday Morning.

On February 25, 2007, at about 1:55 AM, McClendon was a passenger in the front seat of the vehicle being driven by his friend.  The two men were in the area of 28th Street and Vermont Avenue when four suspects in a four-door vehicle began following them. A suspect inside that car fired multiple gunshots at the pair, striking McClendon.

He was taken to a local hospital by LAFD Paramedics, but later died from his injuries.

Southwest Homicide Detectives Robert Lait and Stacey Szymkowiak are assigned to the investigation.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Southwest Homicide Detectives at 213-485-2418.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Shot and Killed While Talking to Friends

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives are asking for the public's help in finding any witnesses who may have seen the shooting death of a man in the 14400 block of Kittridge Street in Van Nuys on Sunday evening.

On February 25, 2007, at about 1130 p.m., Mario Garcia Chirinos, a 20-year-old resident of Los Angeles was shot and killed while talking to some friends.  Mario was approached by several male Hispanics who asked him where he was from.  One of the suspects, armed with a handgun, fired several shots at Mario striking him on the chest. Mario's friends drove him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead from his wounds.

The motive for the shooting appears to be gang-related.

Anyone with information is asked to call Van Nuys Detectives at 818-374-0040.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).