LAPD Blog

Click It or Ticket Campaign Aims for Safe Thanksgiving

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, in an effort to help bring everyone home safe for the holidays, will be aggressively enforcing the State’s seat belt and child safety seat laws during a Click It or Ticket  mobilization, taking place November 17-30, 2008.  The campaign relies on heavy enforcement and public education as a means to help reduce deaths and injuries on California’s roadways.  California currently has a seat belt use rate at 95.7 percent.

“The Click It or Ticket campaign has shown that Californians have gotten the message that seat belts work,” said Police Sergeant Bob Rieboldt.  “However, drivers and passengers are still dying every year because they did not buckle up. Our officers will not accept excuses or give warnings.  It really is Click It or Ticket.”  

California has a primary seat belt law which requires that every passenger in the car, including the driver, is required to wear a seat belt at all times.  If stopped and found to be in violation, law enforcement will issue citations without warning.

“While we are very happy with actually surpassing 95 percent usage, that still means that more than a million people are in real danger in the event of a crash,” said Christopher J. Murphy, Director of the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).  “It takes just two seconds to reduce your chances of dying in a crash by half.”

Teens and nighttime car occupants lag behind others as far as buckling up is concerned.  Officers will be concentrating to ensure they are properly restrained.  More than 280 law enforcement agencies statewide will be participating in this year’s Click It or Ticket mobilization.

Funding for officer overtime to support California’s Click It or Ticket campaign was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Any questions regarding this matter, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic Coordination Section, Emergency Operations Division, at 213-847-1630.

SoCal Shakeout Drill

November 13, 2024 - Over 5.2 million Southern Californians dropped, covered and held on during the massive SoCal Shakeout Drill held across the Golden State this morning.  The exercise, which simulated a 7.8 magnitude earthquake along the San Andreas Fault in Southern California, tested the response and communication systems of over 5000 first responders from more than 100 federal, state, and local agencies.

Participants throughout the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Imperial, San Bernardino, and their cities, took part in safety and evacuation drills, including simulated fire/rescue scenarios.  Students at Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills reenacted a major collapse of the high school, resulting in more than 400 victims and several fatalities.  The Los Angeles Fire Department and Holy Cross Hospital deployed personnel in a mock rescue demonstration and set up several practice medical triages.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger attended the drill and was very impressed with the response. “We have some of the best emergency responders in the world,” he said.  Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa echoed his sediments. “This collaboration represents government at its best.”

U.S. Geological Survey Chief Scientist Lucy Jones reminded everyone we are all in this together and urged residents from across the state to “take at least one more step this weekend to be a little more prepared.”

In the event of a real-life disaster, residents may call the Information Center Phone Lines: L.A. County 323-881-2413 and L.A. City 800-439-2909 for more information.  For more tips on how to prepare your family for a major earthquake, please visit The Great Southern California ShakeOut website at shakeout.org. 

LAPD Hollenbeck Division Appreciation Luncheon

Los Angeles:  On Wednesday November 5, 2008, in a show of appreciation, the Community Action Team from  the Hollenbeck area hosted a luncheon for the Senior Lead Officers, Vice Officers and Narcotic Officers who serve that community.  Held at the Carioca Restaurant in East Los Angeles, the officers were treated to traditional Mexican cuisine as various speakers acknowledged their hard work and professionalism.  Speakers included Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz, Police Commissioner Alan Skobin, and Los Angeles Police Protective League President Tim Sands.

“We want to thank you for all that you do for us and our community” said Community Action Team member Monica Harmon.  “Your work goes a long way in safeguarding our residents and we wanted to show you our appreciation.”

 The Community Action Team is a group of community volunteers and residents who organize positive events that are informative, fun and partner kids, cops and community.  The members belong to various organizations throughout Boyle Heights and speak out on public safety issues by attending Police Commission and City Council meetings in support of LAPD officers.

Man Arrested for Shooting and Wounding a Police Officer

Los Angeles: On November 7, 2008, Los Angeles police arrested a 28-year-old man, who shot an officer in the chest and the wrist after he entered a home in South Los Angeles.  The officer survived because he was wearing his bullet-proof vest.

After a five hour stand-off with police, Samuel Jackson was arrested and charged with attempt murder on a police officer.  He is being held on a $1 million bail.  

The incident occurred just before 2:15 a.m., when officers were called out to check on a group of people who reported a gunman was holding them hostage inside of a residence in the 10900 block of Croesus Avenue.  When the police arrived, an unidentified person met with them outside the residence and told them that the gunman had left the residence.  Concerned for the individuals’ safety, the officers entered the home and Jackson opened fired on them.  During the exchange of gunfire, Police Officer Owen Berger was wounded.

After the officers and the occupants exited the residence, Jackson had barricaded himself.  Los Angeles police Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) responded to the scene and found Jackson hiding underneath a sheet.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.  A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene.

The three officers that were involved in the shooting are Sergeant Dan Garner, 30 ½ years on the Department, Officer Berger, 4 years on Department and Officer Thorsten Timmermans, 3 years and 8 months on the Department.

The injured officer was taken to UCLA Medical Center where he was treated and released.  No other officers or the suspect were hurt.  

Force Investigation Division will handle the shooting investigation.

Accidental Friendship, a Movie Debut of the Friendship Between an LAPD Officer and Skidrow Woman

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is pleased to announce the world premiere and screening of the Hallmark Channel’s Original Movie, “Accidental Friendship”.

On Thursday, November 13, 2008, the Hallmark Channel is hosting a private reception and world premiere of its original movie, depicting the unlikely friendship between a hardworking and compassionate Los Angeles Police Officer, and one of the many homeless women who live on the streets in the heart of LA’s Skidrow District.  The event will take place at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills.

The movie tells the inspiring story of the life of Yvonne Caldwell (played by actress Chandra Wilson), who gradually found her comfortable life transformed as she went from joblessness to homelessness to a life of total destitution.  Yvonne was befriended by LAPD Officer Tami Baumann (played by actress Kathleen Munroe), who was affected by the way Yvonne cared for her three pet dogs, Bebe, Mimi and Peewee.  Yvonne could hardly care for her own well being, yet she made sure her dogs were well cared for.  Yvonne and Officer Buamann found common ground in their mutual love of animals and their friendship blossomed from there.  With Officer Baumann’s help, Yvonne was ultimately able to regain the comfort of her former life and the hope of a brighter future.

This heartwarming story poignantly reveals the positive impact one person can have in the life of another by sampling reaching out a helping hand.

Ben Vereen also has a starring role in this film. He and the other actors, including cast members from “Greys Anatomy,” Yvonne herself, and Officer Baumann will all be in attendance.  

This true story will air on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at 9:00 p.m.

For more information please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

LAPD Detective and Counter Terrorism Bureau Honored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and Parade Magazine

San Diego, Ca: The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and Parade Magazine announced today the LAPD's Counter Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau and Detective Lillie Franklin are among 10 recipients to receive honorable mention awards at a luncheon to be held at this year's IACP Conference on Tuesday, November 11, 2008, in San Diego, California. 

 The Counter Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau is being recognized for creating the model for the first ever National Counter-Terrorism Academy.  The National Counter-Terrorism academy, which will be located in Los Angeles, will consist of four components: a bricks-and-mortar location, a virtual university, a roving academy, and a digital library.  It will complement and serve as a focal point for various federal, state and local government efforts to develop, train and equip local and state police as first preventers in the war on terror.

Detective Lillie Franklin of the LAPD's Commercial Crimes Division, is the lead detective of the Elder Persons Estate Unit.  This unit is responsible for being proactive in protecting the financial security of the elderly and successfully prosecuting the perpetrators.  In her time in the unit, Detective Franklin has forged alliances with several local agencies and community groups which has served the elderly community well.

To read more on these accomplishments, please visit PARADE Magazine's website at www.parade.com.

Asian Gang Unit Arrests Suspect

Los Angeles: Detectives from the Asian Gang Unit announced the arrest of a murder suspect.

On June 12, 2008, Victim Min-Woo Cho, a 24-year-old male Korean National, was reported missing by his family members in Wilshire Area.

In the beginning, this case appeared to be a typical missing person investigation.  There was no evidence of wrongdoing or foul play noted.  The victim had simply vanished.  About a month after Cho's disappearance, an unidentified deceased body was discovered in Northeast Division.  Based on the limited circumstances known to the Los Angeles Coroner's Office, the cause of death of the decedent remained undetermined.  The detectives diligently and thoroughly investigated the two cases.  Using DNA evidence, the detectives were able to connect the cases and positively identified the decedent as Min-Woo Cho.  Over the course of the investigation, the detectives were able to gather additional evidence, which was used to implicate the suspect in the murder of Min-Woo Cho. 

On October 15, 2008, in the City of Gardena, the suspect, Steven Hyun Kwon, 24, was arrested and booked for the murder of Mr. Cho.  

As a result of the detective's dedication and diligence, a sense of closure could be brought to the victim's family.

Kwon's bail has been set at two million dollars.

The motive for the murder remains unclear.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detectives Ken Yeung and Alan Solomon, Gang & Operations Support Division at 213-847-1620. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org. All tips may remain anonymous.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics November 01, 2024

VIOLENT CRIMES                2008**             2007**          % Chg

Homicide                             312*               347              -7.5%
Rape                                    697                799             -12.8%
Robbery                             11259            11531              -2.4%
Agg Assaults **                  10411             11265             -7.6%
Total Violent Crimes      22,688           23,942            -5.2%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                             16270              16925           -3.9%
BTFV                                  25300              26055          -2.9%
Personal/Other Theft         23140              23524          -1.6%
Auto Theft                        19009              20111           -5.5%
Total Property Crimes    83,719           86,615           -3.3%
Total Part I Crimes        106,407         110,557          -3.8%

* Numbers reflects a change in reclassification for Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) guidelines and numbers are adjusted accordingly.

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

Man Dies after being Hit by Car

Los Angeles:  Detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit and run driver who struck and fatally injured a 55-year-old man.

On November 10, 2008, at around 5:40 a.m., a midsized car traveling eastbound on Oxnard Street, west of Donna Avenue, hit Charles Ernest Lawson of Northridge, as he was crossing the street in a southeast direction.  Lawson died at scene.

Witnesses told officers that the suspect stopped momentarily before driving away.  The suspect did not offer help to the victim, nor did he provide any information as is required by law.  He was described as a man of Middle Eastern descent, approximately 5 ft. 9 in. tall, 200 lbs., with brown hair, balding on top, with a mustache, wearing glasses and a brown/khaki flannel jacket.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Valley Traffic Division Detectives, Officer Scott DeWitt at 818-644-8027.   After-hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “CRIMES” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web Tips.  When using a cell phone, messages should always begin with “LAPD.” All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Accidental Discharge with a Firearm

Los Angeles: While off-duty, a Los Angeles Police Recruit Officer accidentally discharged a firearm.  

On November 8, 2008, at around 8:45 p.m., Recruit Officer Jasmine Gomez, 3 months with the Department was at a residence in the City of Palmdale.  Gomez was handling her Department issued Glock pistol when an accidental discharge occurred. The round struck Gomez in the lower left leg.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the scene.  Gomez was transported to a local hospital where she was treated for the injury.

Force Investigation Division is handling the investigation.