LAPD Blog

L.A. Mayor’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) Program is Recruiting Volunteers

Los Angeles:  The Mayor's Office would like to invite the community to become a "civilian" volunteer member of the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) Program. The Mayor’s CRT is composed of professionally trained "civilian" community volunteers who respond to traumatic incidents at the request of the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments. CRT volunteers provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention, attend to urgent victim comfort needs, act as a liaison between the victim and emergency personnel, and give referrals to victims and their families affected by a death, a serious injury, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents. These incidents include homicides, suicides, serious traffic accidents, natural deaths, and multi-casualty incidents. The CRT program is managed by the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety in collaboration with the City’s Fire and Police Departments. The seven-week training session begins October 15, till December 5, 2024 and will take place on each Monday and Wednesday evening at the Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters in downtown L.A. We are particularly in need of volunteers with bilingual capability in Spanish and Korean. Please fill out the CRT online application: here. For further information please contact Jeffrey Zimerman, Manager of the Crisis Response Team. Office of the Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Public Safety at:  LACRT@lacity.org

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Mission 26 - The Big Endeavour Flyover

UPDATE: Important updates to earlier News Release Note change of Los Angeles flyover time from 10:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Updated information on first African American Astronaut to fly in space was aboard the Endeavour More than 700 LAPD Cadets will be assisting LAPD Officers in securing the shuttle route   Los Angeles:  The Space Shuttle Endeavor will make its final historic flight over the City of Los Angeles and several local landmarks, prior to landing at Los Angeles International Airport on September 21st.  Endeavor will be attached to a NASA Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft as it conducts low flying maneuvers around the City of Los Angeles. On September 21, 2012, Endeavor will pass over key points of interest in Los Angeles. “Endeavour’s flight over Los Angeles’ most picturesque landmarks will be a sight to inspire Angelenos for generations,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.  “Witnessing the shuttle’s final voyage above the Griffith Observatory, the California Science Center and our historic City Hall will be a sight to behold. I am proud to welcome this world-class landmark to its new home in the City of Angels.” Around 10:30 a.m. or shortly after, the public is encouraged to watch for flyovers of Endeavor in the Los Angeles area.  The public will likely have an opportunity to see Endeavour passing regional landmarks such as, its future home at the California Science Center, Disneyland, the Getty Center, the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles City Hall, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Malibu Beach, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, the Queen Mary, Universal Studios, and Venice Beach among others. Those interested in viewing the shuttle are asked to plan ahead and find a safe viewing location during the intended fly over.  It is recommended that the public contact individual locations for viewing information.  Times for flyovers are flexible, pending weather conditions and operational constraints. California Science Center Foundation President Jeffrey Rudolph noted, “It’s great that the people of California will be able to see this remarkable site.  It has great potential to inspire the next generation of explores and innovators.  We encourage everyone to see it at the Science Center when it reaches its final destination here at the Samuel Oschin Space Shuttle Endeavour Display Pavilion.” This is an impressive sight that has the potential for distracting drivers and pedestrians.  We want to impress upon the public to remain focused while driving and follow the rules of the road.  Law enforcement and transportation officials want to remind motorists and visitors not to stop on the roads or highways in order to view or take photograph of the shuttle fly over.  These actions can contribute to traffic congestion and accidents.

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Hit and Run Traffic Collision Leaves two Students Injured

Los Angeles:  On Tuesday, September 17, 2012, around 7 p.m. LAPD Valley Traffic Division Officer’s received a traffic collision call at the intersection of Vanowen Street and Ranchito Avenue.  When they arrived they found two girls suffering from injuries.  Los Angeles Fire Department rescue personnel responded and transported the girls to a nearby hospital.

The officers’ investigation revealed that a truck traveling eastbound on Vanowen Street approaching Ranchito Avenue failed to stop for a red tri-light traffic signal and struck the two 14-year-old girls who were walking to school crossing within the marked intersection. The driver of the truck failed to identify himself or render aid.  The impact of the collision caused one of the girls to suffer life threatening injuries while the other girl suffered moderate injuries. 

The suspect’s truck was described as a late 80’s or early 90’s, 2-door, Chevrolet pick-up truck.  It was faded green with a broken windshield and equipped with an iron rack around its bed containing possible gardening tools.  The suspect is described as a 30-year-old male Hispanic with an oval face and facial hair.  He was also wearing a baseball cap.

Anyone who may have witnessed or have information regarding this collision contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Detectives at (818) 644-8000, or Detective III Bustos at (818) 644-8021 During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Notes from the September 18, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Andrea Ordin said she attended the Rampart community meeting regarding recent use of force incidence which Captain Steve Ruiz organized.  She said it was a great meeting and it was clear the division has had a great deal of communication with the community prior to that meeting.
• Police Commission Vice President John Mack attended community outreach meetings in Southeast area and 77th area regarding recent use of force incidents.  Vice President Mack said the meeting at Southeast went well and the dialog reflected the good relationship Captain Philip Tingirides developed in that community.  The meeting in the 77th area, Mr. Mack stated, was attended by the Inspector General, Mr. Alexander Bustamante, and Deputy Chief Bob Green, and featured a healthy exchange of concerns and questions. Vice President Mack completed his comments by saying he attended the retirement dinner for Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon with fellow Commissioners Andrea Ordin and Richard Drooyan.
• Police Commissioner Richard Drooyan said he attended the West Valley and Topanga area community meetings. He said he was impressed with how Captain John Egan handled the meetings.
• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said he attended the Hollywood community meeting and said Captain Bea Girmala did a terrific job.  He provided specific explanations of use of force policies including examples from Hollywood area were given and the overall meeting was a positive experience.
• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked the Commissioners and the Inspector General for attending the area community meetings.  He said the meetings promoted healthy discussions and added the Department should be judged by their response to the incident and not by the actions of the officers involved. Chief Beck also thanked the public, Commission and the Department for their sympathy after his recent fall and subsequent breaking of his collar bone.
• Inspector General Alexander Bustamante stated it appears the Department is taking the use of force investigations very seriously and are investigating the incidences very thoroughly.  He added the Department reports to him and keeps him abreast of investigations frequently.
• The Department’s verbal presentation and discussion regarding the After Action Assessment of the response to events that occurred on July 12, 2012, during the Art Walk in Central area was given by Commander John Sherman.  Commander Sherman informed the Board the growth of the Art Walk has posed a challenge to police but has generally been policed without problems.  During the days leading up to the July 12, 2024 Art Walk, Occupy LA members organized a “chalk walk” which would coincide with the Art Walk. The Department worked with the City Attorney leading up to that event in an effort to gage what options it had.  On the day of the Art Walk the Department mobilized foot-beats and ultimately issued a tactical alert, declared an unlawful assembly and gave a dispersal order to the crowd.  The incident resulted in 17 arrests made and 4 police officers sustaining injuries. Since the incidents of that day the Department has successfully policed two Art Walks without incident.  The Board of Police Commissioners requested a review of the Department’s report by the Inspector General and asked him to report back to the Board in 30 days.
• The Executive Directors report, dated September 11, 2012, relative to the waiver of vehicle release and gross receipts late penalty fees for the periods of 201203M and 201206M for Archer’s Vineland Service, Inc. account No. 5397730017, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 13, 2012, relative to the recommendation for Police Commission unit citation, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 10, 2012, relative to Marsy’s Rights notification inspection (IAID No. 12-073), was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 11, 2012, relative to the Detective Support and Vice Division Animal Cruelty Task Force inspection (IAID No. 12-041), was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 13, 2012, relative to the approval of request for proposals for the Evidence and Property Information Management System (EPIMS), was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 14, 2012, relative to the request for approval to negotiate an agreement with selected proposers, Donna Cline and Tony Kaklamanos, was approved.
• The Department’s report, dated September 13, 2012, relative to the supplemental police account second quarterly report (April through June 2012), was approved and transmitted to the City Council and City Controller.
• The Department’s report, dated September 14, 2012, relative to the request for authority to destroy obsolete records for Topanga Area, was approved and transmitted to the City Clerk, Records Management Officer.

405 FWY CLOSURE September 28 & 29

Avoid the 405, Eat, Play and Shop Local.  Be part of the success, and use alternate transportation

The LAPD would like to remind everyone to plan ahead and avoid the 405 Freeway the weekend of September 29th and 30th.  A 10-mile portion of the 405 Freeway will be closed between the 101 Freeway and the 10 Freeway in all directions during beginning Friday night at midnight and will remain closed until Monday morning at 5:00 a.m.  The closure is due to the demolition of the northern half of the Mulholland Bridge.

We are encouraging the public to make plans to stay local during the closure weekend and Eat, Play and Shop in your local area.  Make this the weekend to walk, bike and use public transportation to avoid the need to drive around the impacted area.

Last year’s closure success was due to the cooperation of the public who made the effort to avoid the closure area.  This year will also be a success if everyone does their part.

Thank you for being part of the solution.

LAPD

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Officer-Involved Shooting in 77th Division

September 17, 2024 Updated:  The Officers involved in this incident have been identified as Police Officer II Andrew Green and Police Officer II Brittany Borja. Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department 77th Street Area patrol officers were involved in an officer-involved shooting when they observed the suspect pointing a gun at the victim. On September 3, 2024 around 10:45 p.m., officers were in patrol in the area of Denver and Florence Avenues when they heard multiple shots in the area and a large group of people (approximately 300) running in every direction from the scene of the party.  The officers stopped their vehicle and observed a male suspect pointing a gun at an unknown person.  The officers believed that the suspect was going to execute the victim so they exited their patrol car and an officer involved shooting occurred.  The suspect ran eastbound Florence Avenue and northbound Denver Avenue. A perimeter was established and an extensive search was conducted.  The suspect was not found with-in the perimeter.  The suspect has not been identified.  A victim suffered a minor gunshot wound during the party prior to the officers’ arrival and was treated and released. LAPD’s Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.  The shooting that occurred during the party is being investigated by 77th Street Area Detectives.  It was also determined during the investigation that there was no crime committed against the officers. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

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Officer-Involved Shooting Occurs at the End of a Pursuit

Los Angeles:  On September 11, 2012, at around 6:30 p.m., Rampart Patrol Division officers were in pursuit of a stolen white two door 2003 Honda Civic.  The Honda had been taken in a carjacking earlier in the afternoon from the North Hollywood area, at around 5:30 p.m. Patrol officers remained in pursuit of the Honda in the Rampart Area.  Communications Division updated the involved units with the suspect’s description and that he was armed.  As the suspect was driving west on 7th Street crossing Bixel Street, he drove through a mid-phase red signal and collided with a white four door Nissan Altima being driven north on Bixel Street, disabling the Honda.  The suspect (later identified) Ian Schlesinger exited the Honda with a rifle and concealed himself behind the Honda and Nissan, as responding patrol units and K-9 units stopped their police vehicles east and south of the Honda and Nissan.  As the officers exited their vehicles, the suspect began shooting at the officers at which time an officer-involved shooting (OIS) occurred.  The suspect Schlesinger was wounded and subsequently taken into custody by officers. Los Angeles Fire Department personnel arrived and transported the suspect to a local hospital where he was treated for his injuries and listed in stable condition.  The suspects’ rifle and a pistol were recovered at the scene. LAPD’s Force Investigation Division (FID) responded and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting. The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and The Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable.  Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of the officer-involved shooting.

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Police, Fire and United States Military Join together for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony

Chief Beck speacks

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAPD and Military agencies gathered at Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center for a “9/11 Remembrance Ceremony” dedicated to those who perished on September 11, 2001.

Speakers included Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings, Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck, and General Manager of the Los    Angeles Emergency Management Department James Featherstone.

This location is especially noteworthy due to the presence of two memorials dedicated to the events of September 11, 2001.  The first memorial is dedicated to the World Trade Center and consists of a 23-ton, 22-foot tall steel column that was originally part of the lobby structure. This column is believed to be the largest remnant of the World Trade Center on the West Coast.

The second memorial is located in the lobby of the training center and is titled “Towering Memories.”  The “Towering Memories” memorial consists of two shapes similar to the silhouette of the Twin Towers that comprised the World Trade Center.  Included on the memorial is a list of names of those who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the Pennsylvania plane crash site.

85-year-old Man Missing from the North San Fernando Valley

Los Angeles:  The family of William Dane Fogle and the Los Angeles Police Department are asking for the public’s help to locate the 85-year-old man who suffers from early signs of dementia.     

Mr. Fogle was last seen on September 12, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., at his residence in the 14000 block of Fox Street in Mission Hills.  At the time he went missing, he was preparing to go to a medical appointment in the 5300 block of Balboa Boulevard in Encino.        

Mr. Fogle is described as an 85-year-old Caucasian man with gray hair and brown eyes.  He stands 5’ 6” tall, weighs 149 lbs., and has a small build.  He was last seen wearing a plaid white, green, blue, and red shirt, with green khaki pants.  He also has faded tattoos on both arms.  

Mr. Fogle may be driving a silver colored 2000 Toyota Avalon, 4-door sedan, License Plate 4LFW932.

Mr. Fogle’s family is very concerned about his unexplained disappearance and says that he is suffering from early signs of dementia.     

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of William Dane Fogle, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Notes from the September 11, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commission President Andrea Ordin welcomed new Police Commissioner Rafael Bernardino. She said today was a solemn day, a day of remembrance and she was honored to have joined the Fire and Police Department, members of the military and other law enforcement officials this morning at a beautiful ceremony. First responders and citizens who were so courageous and did extraordinary things during the 911 attacks were honored.  Also remembered were the hundreds of victims who tragically lost their lives during the attacks.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck thanked Commissioner Bernardino for his willingness to join the Police Commission. Chief Beck also addressed the recent high profile incidents involving videotapes of uses of force over the last several weeks. He indicated the Department has responded to those incidents with roll call training for all officers where they view and discuss the contents of the videotapes and make sure they understand the obligations in the use of force while making an arrest.  Twenty-one meetings in each of the areas have been scheduled which will be opened to the public to discuss use of force incidents in general. The Chief said he also made command changes in light of a specific incident where he felt the commanding officer was deficient in his response. He also said overall violent crime was down 8.2% for the year in the City.

• The Department’s report, dated September 6, 2012, relative to the Narcotics Analysis Laboratory Trust Fund Expenditure Plan No. 16, was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated August 31, 2012, relative to the Operations-South Bureau Gang Enforcement Detail Command Accountability Performance Audit (IAID No. 11-144), was approved. The Board requested the Department return in three months with a progress report.

• The Department’s report, dated September 6, 2012, relative to the Inmate Welfare Fund 2011Annual Expenditure Report was approved and transmitted to the City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated September 6, 2012, relative to the Transmittal of the Grant Application and Award for the 2012 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program Grant was approved and transmitted concurrently to the Mayor and City Council.