LAPD Blog

Caruso Family Foundation Commits $5 Million To a Path to College for Students in L.A.’s Watts Neighborhood

November 6, 2024 – Recognizing the needs of one of L.A.’s most vibrant yet challenged neighborhoods, and embracing the belief that education is the foundation for lifelong success, Rick and Tina Caruso of the Caruso Family Foundation today announced $5 million initiative to provide assistance to more than 200 at-risk youth in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. 

The announcement was made at Verbum Dei High School. Joining Rick J. Caruso (Caruso Family Foundation and Caruso Affiliated) was Chief Charlie Beck, Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, among others. Participating students will receive elementary, high school and college scholarship assistance together with after-school academic tutoring and weekend mentoring services.

The initiative will be coordinated through Operation Progress (www.OperationProgressLA.org), a nonprofit program established in 2000 by a group of Los Angeles Police Department officers in the Southeast Division who fight gang crime in South Los Angeles, specifically the community of Watts. Deeply moved by young students who worked hard to earn good grades and stay out of gangs, but who lacked financial opportunity, they sought to raise funds and assist these underprivileged youth. Since then Operation Progress has expanded to serve well-deserving inner-city youth across Los Angeles.

Operation Progress consists of an “ecosystem” of partners working in concert to provide a comprehensive support system for at-risk youth. Anchor schools include St. Lawrence of Brindisi, St. Mary’s Academy and Verbum Dei High School. After-school success programs include those administered by Operation Progress and Strive Los Angeles. In addition, Helping Young People Excel (HYPE) will provide gifted students with academic preparation, admissions, and financial aid assistance to attend one of L.A.’s elite private schools. Finally, all scholars will be eligible for the South Central Scholars (SCS) program that supports college-bound students with academic preparation, mentoring, and financial assistance through all four years of college. The Caruso Family Foundation is providing support to Operation Progress and each of the partner organizations.

The initiative’s goal is to support at least 200 students over the next decade, with partners working to guide scholars all the way through college graduation. Beyond academic success, the program’s “10 Pillars of Success” is aimed at developing well-rounded young men and women that will return to South Los Angeles, contribute to success of future scholars, and help strengthen our entire city.

Any Watts-area student may apply to become an Operation Progress scholar by visiting the website or by picking up an application at a participating school. Once accepted, students and parents sign a pledge to abide by the program’s standards. Depending on age and gender, students will be placed in a participating partner school, during which time they will also receive significant after-school and weekend mentoring and tutoring support from the partners. All scholars will be eligible for the South Central Scholars college program to ensure their academic and personal success in completing a four-year college education.

Chief Charlie Beck November Media Availability

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On Wednesday November 7, 2024 Chief of Police Charlie Beck held his monthly media availability to discuss several issues with members of the press. Chief Beck provided crime statistics, introduced a new public service announcement (PSA) created by the LAPD to educate citizens on appropriate use of the city’s 9-1-1 emergency call system, and provided updated information of the tragic incident at LAX which occurred on November 1, 2013.

During the news conference Chief Beck also recognized the hiring of Yen Lung the first Chinese-American by LAPD. Lung was not only the first Chinese- American hired in California but in the United States.

 

Chief of Police Spotlights New 9-1-1 Public Service Announcement

Los Angeles:  Chief of Police Charlie Beck today introduced a new public service announce-ment (PSA) created by the LAPD to educate citizens on appropriate use of the city’s 9-1-1 emergency call system.  During a news conference at the LAPD’s Olympic Area Station, the PSA, which features Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Chief Beck, was shown for the first time to reporters and other members of the media.

In 2012, the LAPD’s twin Dispatch Centers processed a total of 4 million calls for service.  Of this number, 2.3 million of incoming calls were received on 9-1-1 lines.  In interpreting the call data, the Department determined a full 70 percent of 9-1-1 calls – or 1.6 million calls for service – were actually non-emergency in nature.

The LAPD classifies as emergencies those calls relating to life-threatening circumstances: injury traffic accidents, serious medical calls, felony crimes in progress, and any other incidents that pose a credible threat to public safety.  Medical calls that don’t involve the commission of a crime are immediately transferred by 9-1-1 operators to the Los Angeles City Fire Department for handling.

 

The PSA instructs the public to direct non-emergency calls – for things such as loud parties, petty crimes, abandoned vehicles, non-violent neighbor disputes, property crimes, and other occurrences where lives are not in danger – to the Department’s toll-free non-emergency number, 877-ASK-LAPD (877-275-5273).

“The large number of non-emergency calls received on 9-1-1 highlights the need for education of our residents in this area,” commented Chief Beck.  “It’s the hope of Mayor Garcetti and myself that this PSA will help callers recognize when they should dial 9-1-1, and when they should instead use our non-emergency number, where non-emergency police operators are waiting to help them.  This will keep our 9-1-1 lines clear and available for true emergencies in the future.”

DVDs of the PSA are available in English and Spanish through the LAPD’s Media Relations Section at (213) 486-5910.

Notes from the November 5, 2024 Weekly Police Commission Meeting

• Police Commissioner President Steve Soboroff started the meeting with a moment of silence for slain TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez.  He also extended prayers to all those injured and their families.
 
• Police Chief Charlie Beck considered the incident a tragedy.   He commended the men and women of Los Angeles World Airport Police Department and Los Angeles Police Department for acting heroically and mitigating the situation as quickly as possible.  He completed his comments by stating this incident makes airport security the main topic and people must understand to stop an incident like this, people must be willing to tolerate a full car search.

• Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman spoke last Friday at the Recruit Officer Graduation Class of 5-13.  He said it was a great occasion and very upbeat.  He was concerned however, of being only two African-Americans and five women among 41 graduates.  He pointed out those numbers are significantly below our goal. 

• Police Commissioner Kathleen Kim attended the Law Enforcement Association of Asian Pacifics to celebrate the promotion of Asian-Pacific American Officers to Command Staff level.  She said it was very inspirational but learned out of 13,000 sworn and civilian, approximately 850 are of Asian descent.  She thought it was quite a disparate number for several reasons, primarily because of cultural values within the Asian community whom may not promote Asian-Pacific Americans into law enforcement.

• Police Chief Charlie Beck shared his concern with the Commissioners regarding the diversity of incoming recruits and is working with personnel department to ensure a diversified population.  For the month of October, the City of Los Angeles suffered 12 homicides.  This is the first month since 1964 the City of Los Angeles has had a month with 12 or less homicides.  Part I Crimes for 2013; there was a 12.9% reduction in homicide, rapes were down 27%, robberies were down 12.4%, aggravated assaults were down 9.5%, total violent crime reduction is 11.8%.  Property crime is also down in all four categories.  Total property crime reduction is 3.3%, which provides a total aggregate Part I Crime reduction of 4.1%.  The Department’s personnel remain at 9,916 sworn and 2,812 civilians. 

• The Department’s verbal report and discussion, relative to K9 Deployment of the Metropolitan Division, Gang and Narcotics Division, and Emergency Services Division.  Captain Patrick Smith, Commanding Officer of Metropolitan Division, informed the Board the K9 program has been in existence for 33 years.  Metropolitan Division deploys 19 patrol dogs, five gun detecting dogs, and two bloodhounds.  The policy of the K9 program is find-and-bark not find-and-bite.  The average cost per dog is $10,000 and on average, the department purchases two dogs a year.  The service life for each dog is approximately 8 to 10 years.  The primary source of funding for new dogs comes from the Angeles Police K9 Fund.  Captain John Incontro, Commanding Officer of Emergency Services Division, said both the Department and Los Angeles World Airport Police staff the K9 program and is the largest program in the United States.  The Los Angeles World Airport Police manages the program at Los Angeles Airport and is responsible for reporting to TSA for regular compliance.  TSA provides the K9s and the Los Angeles Airport pays for care and maintenance of the dogs.  The Department has an agreement with TSA to work at the Los Angeles Airport 80% of the time and 20% of the time the Department is allowed to work at other city venues.  Armando Moriel representing Gangs and Narcotics Division, indicated Gangs and Narcotics Division currently deploys nine dogs.  Eight dogs are trained in narcotics and one dog is trained in clean-currency.  The clean-currency dog detects money not tainted by narcotics.  It is common for the dog handler to adopt the K9 once the dog retires.

• The Department’s verbal report and discussion, relative to the Complaint Investigation Audit.  Internal Audits and Inspections Division conducted an annual audit on personal complaints.  17 objectives were audited.  16 objectives met a 95% or higher compliance standard.  The lowest percentage overall was a 93% for the availability of audio and video tape recordings.  Three tapes were not accounted for.  Overall the Department did outstanding.  

• The Department’s report, dated October 25, 2013, relative to the Request for Approval of Extension and Budget Modification of the 2010 Solving Cold Cases with DNA Program (BPC N. 13-0380), was approved and transmitted to the Mayor and City Council.

• The Department’s report, dated October 25, 2013, relative to the Status of Recommendations made by the Office of the Inspector General in the review of Non-Categorical Use of Force Investigations (BPC N. 13-0374), was approved.

• The Department’s report, dated October 29, 2013, relative to the Destruction of Obsolete Duplicate Records for Wilshire Area (BPC N. 13-0373), was approved.

Officer-Involved Shooting in Hollenbeck

Los Angeles:  On Sunday November 3, 2024 around 9:45 p.m., Hollenbeck Officers were patrolling in the area of 4th Street and Soto Avenue when they observed an individual they recognized as a known gang member later identified as Ricardo Pallazhco.. As the officers approached the individual they observed him reach for his waistband as he ran from the officers. The officers chased the suspect and during the foot pursuit the suspect pointed a handgun at the officers and an officer involved shooting occurred. The suspect was struck during the incident and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. The officers were not injured during the incident.

A loaded handgun was recovered at the scene.

Los Angeles Police Department Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the incident and will be handling the investigation of the officer-involved shooting.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, 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.

Anyone with information is asked to call Force Investigation Division at 213-486-5230. 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.

Motorcyclist Struck by Vehicle in North Hollywood

***UPDATE*** Today, the suspect involved in a road rage, hit and run incident was arrested for felony hit and run. The suspect was identified as 39-year-old Mauricio Lopez, a resident of Sun Valley. The bail amount was set at $50,000.00. The motorcyclist remains in stable condition at a local hospital. Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department, Valley Traffic Division detectives are currently investigating a hit-and-run that left a 44-year old person injured.   On November 3, 2013, around 3:25 pm, a vehicle described as a white 2001 GMC Sonoma pick-up truck was traveling northbound on Vineland Avenue approaching Morrison Street when a motorcycle also traveling northbound Vineland Avenue, abruptly conducted a lane change in front of the pick-up truck. The pick-up then collided with the rear of the motorcycle. The driver of the pick-up truck failed to stop, render aid and identify himself.  The motorcyclist a 44-year-old male, resident of North Hollywood sustained severe injuries and was transported to the local hospital where he remains in stable condition. The driver of the pick-up truck was followed by a witness. The driver left the pick-up abandoned and fled on foot. The hit and run driver of the pick-up is described as a male Hispanic, in his 30’s to 40’s and still remains outstanding. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Officer Martinez at (818) 644-8032. During weekends and off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAPD24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 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.

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Missing Elderly Woman in Need of Medical Care

Los Angeles: The family of Bernice Branch and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help in locating her. On October 10, 2013, around 12:00 p.m., Branch was last seen in the 2400 block of Virginia Road in the City of Los Angeles.  Branch suffers from a medical condition, and is in need of ongoing medical care. Branch is described as a 76-year-old African American female with brown hair and brown eyes.  She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs approximately 115 pounds.  She was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue pants and open toe shoes. Anyone with information on Bernice Branch’s whereabouts is asked to contact the LAPD 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.

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LAPD Class 05-13 Recruit Graduation

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November 1, 2013- The newest Los Angeles Police Academy graduates proudly stood at attention on the athletic fields of the as they received the diplomas. The newest members of the Department were addressed by Chief Charlie Beck, he reminded the recruits they now carry a great responsibility, not a gift, but an authority which has been granted by the people of Los Angeles. “You have been given a sacred trust by this community, to maintain order and enforce the law. You are the ones to enforce state authority, to take life, property and liberty, and now you can make the difference.”

The Forty-one individuals underwent six months of intense training which culminated with today’s ceremony in front of Department command staff, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, dignitaries and their family and friends. For more information on how you can become a Los Angeles Police officer, please visit www.joinlapd.com.