LAPD Blog

Olympic Stands Proud for Its First Formal Uniform Inspection

The badges of Olympic Area’s finest shined brightly this morning as it held its first ever Formal Uniform Inspection.  Joined by Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Herb Wesson, Jr., Police Commissioner Andrea Ordin and Command Staff, Chief William J. Bratton proudly walked the rank and file and congratulated the troops, both sworn and civilian, on a great inspection.  Thanking the officers and civilian personnel for their commitment, Chief Bratton stated, “You have made history in terms of a community that has seen a dream fulfilled.  This community has desperately wanted you and this facility in this location for so long. You have now made history by becoming a part of this community.”
 
Also inspired by the successful inspection, Council President Eric Garcetti praised the staff, “The spirit of Olympic Division is neither in the beauty of the station nor in the incredible construction that was put here.  It is in each one of you and the pride in which you put your uniforms together today, the pride with which you serve with your fellow officers and the leadership of this Department.”

In March 2002, the voters in Los Angeles passed a $600 million dollar public safety measure to improve, renovate and expand public safety facilities.  Olympic Station is the newest LAPD station and on Saturday, January 17, 2009, the community is invited to meet the men and women assigned to the LAPD's 20th police station and celebrate Olympic Division's Grand Opening.  The Grand Opening will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, local entertainment, static and active displays from the Department's specialized units, station tours and more.  

Burglars Target the West Valley

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a crew of burglary suspects targeting homes and condominiums in the Sherman Oaks, Encino and Tarzana areas.

The burglary suspects, dubbed by detectives as the ‘Knock- Knock Burglars’, are believed to be responsible for burglarizing more than forty homes in the West Valley area since the summer of 2008.  

This burglary crew is believed to use luxury rental vehicles to drive to their crime locations during daylight hours.  The suspects, dress fashionably, are generally men in their twenties and thirties.  They will most often knock and ring the doorbell of a home for as long as five minutes. If someone answers the door, they act like they are lost and ask for directions, then leave. If no one answers, the suspects go to the rear of the residence and break windows and then enter the home. They go straight to the bedrooms and closets and remove jewelry and expensive watches. They have been known to use pepper spray on guard dogs.

A surveillance video captured three of the suspects at one location, although detectives believe a much larger group of men may-be involved in these crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Valley Detectives at 818-374-7769.  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, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Notes for the January 6, 2025 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco opened the meeting with a promise for the New Year to continue working closely with City leadership and a commitment to maintaining public safety in these hard economic times. 

• Police Chief William Bratton announced that Total Part I crime fell for the seventh straight year and he anticipates the downward trend to continue in 2009.  He stressed the lower numbers are not just happening.  They are a combination of the hard work of the men and women of the Department and the community’s willingness to work with the police.  The Chief also informed the Board of the opening of the new Topanga and Olympic Community Police Stations, stating it was the first time in the Department’s history two stations opened up on the same weekend.

• The Department’s report, dated December 1, 2008, and December 18, 2008, relative to the Quarterly Status Report, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/09 were received and filed and approved respectively.

• The Department’s report, dated November 26, 2008, relative to the Secret Service Funds Audit (AD No. 08-027) was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 5, 2008, in response to City Council Motion (CF#08-2797), Relative to Emergency Supplies Protocol for Police Department Personnel as presented by Emergency Operations Division Captain Todd Chamberlain was approved and transmitted to the City Council. Captain Chamberlain informed the Commission the Department is in the process of building up resources such as generators, in case of emergency should the City’s infrastructure go down.  He also stated ten designated command staff officers have Department issued credit cards to purchase supplies should an emergency arise. 

• The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the Status of DNA Grants and DNA Processing Backlog was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 11, 2008, relative to Supervisor and Field Training Officer Training Audit (AD No. 08-018), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 4, 2008, relative to Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records for Foothill Area, Hollywood Area, Information Technology Division, Mission Area, North Hollywood Area, Rampart Area, Southeast Area and West Valley Area, was approved and transmitted to the Office of the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

• The Department’s report, dated December 10, 2008, in response to Board query, relative to the Backlog of Processing Forensic Evidence Other Than DNA, as presented by Deputy Chief Charlie Beck and Police Administrator Yvette Sanchez-Owens was received and filed.  Ms. Sanchez-Owens explained although the backlog is normally defined by the number of cases in process that have been requested by detectives, the Department counts all cases, including the ones in cold storage.  She stated there are approximately 6,669 cases.  The three areas of backlog include latent prints, serology, and fire arms. Deputy Chief Beck added his detectives have spent 2,500 hours going through cold storage to determine the exact number of backlogged cases, where they are in the process, and determining priority as it pertains to statute of limitations.

• The Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated December 23, 2008, relative to the Annual Categorical Use of Force Report for the Calendar Year 2007, as presented by Inspector General André Birotte was approved.  Inspector General Birotte informed the Board the report contains all the findings, minus officers’ names, of the Categorical Use of Force incidents for the year 2007.  The report also offers a summary of all incidents.

• The Department’s report, dated December 19, 2008, relative to the Office of the Inspector General’s Quarterly Discipline Report, Second Quarter 2005, was received and filed.

•  The Department’s report, dated September 30, 2008, and Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated December 24, 2008, relative to the Arrest, Booking, and Charging Reports Audit, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated September 29, 2008, and Office of the Inspector General’s report, dated December 29, 2008, relative to the Gang Enforcement Detail Work Product Assessment Summary, Fiscal Year 2008/2009, pursuant to the Annual Audit Plan, was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated December 26, 2008, relative to Complaint Form 1.28 Investigations, Phase I Audit (AD No. 08-009), was received.  The Commission also directed the Office of the Inspector General to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.

• The Executive Director’s report, dated December 18, 2008, in response to City Council Motion (CF#08-1829), relative to the False Alarm Billing and Collection Status Report to Public Safety Committee, was approved and transmitted to the City Council Public Safety Committee.

• The Department’s report, dated December 30, 2008, relative to Warrant Applications and Supporting Affidavits Audit, Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2008/09, (AD No. C08-002), was received.  In addition, the Commission directed the Office of the Inspector General to submit an analysis of this report along with any appropriate recommendations to the Board.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics January 03, 2009

VIOLENT CRIMES                2009**             2008**          % Chg

Homicide                                 2*                  2                0.0%
Rape                                       5                  10             -50.0%
Robbery                               101                110              -8.2%
Agg Assaults **                     109                101               7.9%
Total Violent Crimes           217               223              -2.7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                 74                 139          -46.8%
BTFV                                    211                 235          -10.2%
Personal/Other Theft            105                 223          -52.9%
Auto Theft                           135                 157          -14.0%
Total Property Crimes         525                754         -30.4%
Total Part I Crimes              742                977         -24.1%

* 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

Traffic Safety Tips Near Schools; Motorists Reminded Schools Are Back in Session

Los Angeles: Each year, many City of Los Angeles school children are severely injured while being picked up or dropped off at neighborhood schools.  Motorists are reminded to drive more responsibly now that schools are back in session after holiday breaks.

To reduce traffic collisions, Los Angeles Police Department traffic officers recommend the following tips to motorists:

• ALLOW EXTRA TIME.  Parents who arrive at school with their children late or at the last minute sometimes make poor driving choices that compromise safety.  Parents should prepare in advance, even the night before, if necessary, to ensure greater safety and less rushing when transporting students to school.
• REDUCE SPEED NEAR SCHOOLS.  Drivers should be mindful that that the maximum speed limit near schools is 25 mph and may be even less when children are present.  Excessive speed is the most common cause of collisions near schools.
• OBEY STOP SIGNS.  Though stop signs should always be heeded, doing so near schools is especially important.  Drivers should come to a full stop at all stop signs to check for small children. Drivers of larger vehicles such as vans and sport utility vehicles should be especially observant.  Early morning sun can add to the already existing condition of blind spots. Driving slower at intersections and crosswalks, with or without stop signs, can reduce collisions.
• AVOID DOUBLE PARKING.  Drivers should not allow children to exit vehicles that are double parked.  Double parking hinders other traffic, causes congestion and creates hazards for children crossing streets.
• AVOID U-TURNS.  U-turns are unsafe within school zones.  Near schools, U-turns should only be made at intersections when it is safe to do so, providing there are no signs that prohibit them.
• It is also important to understand a child’s limited understanding of traffic laws and to recognize they are children making serious decisions.  In general, children do not easily judge a car’s speed or distance and often assume that if they can see an approaching car, the driver must also be able to see them.

Compstat - End of the Year in Review for 2008

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LAPD's Chief Bratton is 2008 Homo Hero of the Year

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Man Stabbed and Killed by Acquaintance

Los Angeles: A verbal dispute early Sunday morning turned to murder when a man was stabbed to death by an acquaintance.

On January 4, 2009, at around 1:20 a.m., two men who had been socializing earlier in the evening with other friends became involved in a verbal dispute at an apartment complex in the 9100 block of National Boulevard.  The verbal dispute quickly escalated to a physical fight during which the victim, 33-year-old San Diego resident Jorge Rosendo, was stabbed multiple times.  

Rosendo was transported to a local hospital by ambulance, but failed to respond to treatment and was pronounced dead a short time later.

Edwin Molina, also 33 years of age, was arrested and booked for the murder.  He is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call West Los Angeles Area Homicide Detective M. Pelletier at 310-444-1520.  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, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Northridge Area Resident Dies in Solo Vehicle Traffic Collision

Los Angeles: A man in Porter Ranch runs off the roadway and detectives are searching for witnesses.

On January 3, 2009, at around 5:40 in the morning, a solo vehicle traffic collision occurred on Tampa Avenue near Pine Valley Road in Porter Ranch.  

The 2004, two-door, white Toyota Solara, was being driven by a male when the car ran off the roadway, collided with a street light, and several trees before coming to a stop.  

The driver and only occupant, a resident of Northridge, California, died as a result of his injuries. Identification of the deceased is being withheld pending notification to his family.

Valley Traffic Division Detectives are conducting the investigation and are searching for additional witnesses who may have information about the collision.  

For additional information, or to provide information to the investigating detectives, please contact Police Officer D. Larkin, Valley Traffic Division Detectives, at 818-644-8036, or 818-644-8020.  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, all messages should begin with “LAPD.”  All calls and contacts are anonymous.

Search for Armed Man Ends in Officer Involved Shooting

Los Angeles:   A 911 call alerted police officers in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Foothill Division to a man threatening his family with a gun and firing shots into the air. 

On January 1, 2009, at about 20 minutes after midnight, emergency operators received a report of a man threatening his family with a gun and firing shots into the air at a residence in the 14100 block of Terra Bella Street.  Responding officers surrounded the property, which is described as a single family residence with a detached and converted garage.  Several occupants were safely evacuated from both the primary residence and the detached living space.  When searching the detached structure, officers encountered the armed suspect in the attic crawl space, and an officer involved shooting occurred.  A handgun has been recovered from the scene.           

Paramedics pronounced the suspect dead at the scene.  He has been identified as 41-year-old Saul Soriano.  Based on preliminary information, it is believed that the suspect is the estranged former spouse of a tenant in the primary residence.   During the subsequent search warrant service, Force Investigation Division detectives discovered an improvised, homemade explosive device inside the suspect’s vehicle along with several additional firearms.  Personnel from the bomb squad responded and detonated the device.  Detectives from the LAPD Criminal Conspiracy Section responded and are handling the investigation related to the destructive device.

The involved officers are Sergeant II Robert Gasior, 16 years, 3 months with the Department; Police Officer II Jose Mendoza, 6 years, 9 months with the Department; and Police Officer II Genaro Estupinan, 3 years, 5 months with the Department.

LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is responsible for conducting the investigation into the officer involved shooting.

Persons with information related to this incident are requested to call the 24 hour tip line at 1-877 LAPD 24-7  (1-877-527-3247).   Those wishing to remain anonymous may use their cellular phones and text to “CRIMES” or by logging on to www.lapdonline.org and clicking on “webtips.”  When using a cell phone always begin the text portion of the message with the letters LAPD.  Texting or internet tips provided in this manner are anonymous.