LAPD Blog

ARE THEY REALLY FOR YOU?

A Letter to Skid Row
By Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph

I have maintained my silence on this issue for a long time.  But I just cannot take it any longer.  There are groups in the Skid Row area that claim to be for the homeless, but they are truly for exploiting them.

Since I became a Senior Lead Officer (SLO), this group and other alike groups have fought us tooth and nail over crime prevention in Skid Row.  They have been allowed to tell lies, and use racial and homophobic language against officers and myself who patrol the Skid Row area.  Moreover, when the police officers respond to them, even in a respectful manner, they run down to Central Station, and encourage others to follow suit in filing false complaints.

I am for residents filing righteous complaints against officers who treat them poorly.  If you do not believe me, then just ask the staff members of the Volunteers of America (VOA).  The VOA called me when an officer and a sergeant responded to their location when they (VOA) needed assistance and were treated in a disrespectful manner by the officer, who neglected to do his duty.  When I discovered this, I was very upset and personally initiated a complaint on those officers.  But the activist group will not tell you about that.

I do not consider enforcing laws, whether it is for jaywalking or murder, as harassment.  If you ask honest members of the Skid Row community, it is long overdue.   Yet, if an officer while conducting his or her enforcement is righteously disrespectful or cruel to any member of the community, it should be dealt with.

Now I am the first to admit that police officers are not perfect people. At Central Division thre are 400 officers doing the best job they can to police 45,000 human beings living in a 4.5-square mile radius, and the hundreds of thousands who come to visit, work and shop in the downtown area.  In doing so, one must realize that our job is as unpredictable as humanity is, and that no two situations are the same in this Division.

At no time in my tenure of policing Skid Row did I ever feel that I was above the people I serve, because I am no better than you are.  I just have a greater responsibility.  Yet, I shall never apologize for being tough on crime in Skid Row because for years, I have observed my people in this area destroy one another, via drug addiction, alcohol abuse, gang crimes, drug sales, and violence.  I truly want to see this change, because I do believe in the good in all of you, and desperately want to bring that out in this community before I leave.

It concerns me that this group truly wants Skid Row to go right back to where it was before, with people overdosing and slowly dying on the sidewalks, so they can continue to paint pictures of your pain to their donors, without seeing one bit of improvement in your lives.

I honestly could care less about the ramifications of writing this letter to you.  I am fed up with the lies of this group who has witnessed me testify to keep the Single Room Occupancy programs functioning in Skid Row.  They were aware of my speaking on behalf of the Union Rescue Mission’s (URM) efforts to place women and children in a better place where they can truly benefit from the URM’s services.

Their tactics are solely designed to keep the lines of communications and understanding between Central police officers and the Skid Row community closed, so that chaos will continue to reign in Skid Row.  Why, because that is how they get their funding.  If we make the streets safe here, they will not be able to profit from people’s pain.  Poverty is a business to groups like the ones that I speak of.

On top of exploiting poverty for funding, their hypocrisies remain boundless.  I have observed members of these groups selling knives to homeless people and pornography on the sidewalks where women and children walk.  Community members have also advised me of one of their members selling single cans of beer to drunk men in the area.  They preach against racism and sexism, but I had a very interesting conversation with one of their members who used homophobic slurs against a man he believed “snitched” on him.  I have the proof.

As I stated many times before, I do not care what anyone thinks of me, but I do care about every one on Skid Row.  So, love me or hate me, I am going to continue to try and make it safe for you because it is my job.  I refuse to let activism or politics hinder me from doing that job.  Whether Safer Cities Initiative stays forever or leaves tomorrow, I will still continue doing what I feel is right within the law, regardless of the tactics of activist groups, and the powerful law firms that back them.

Look at what is occurring in Skid Row, today.  Skid row is safer now, and the activist groups had nothing to do with it.  When juveniles were coming into the area and brutalizing the elderly and handicapped right in front of their office, they sat back and watched, and said nothing about it. 
I asked for their assistance in talking to these kids and referring them to programs because I did not want to “criminalize” these kids as they say, and because this group appeared to be bold enough to do so.

For the record, I must state that not all of the members of this group are of the same caliber as their leadership.  Few of them are very caring people with whom I have met and prayed with. 
If those members' influence was stronger than the majority of this group, just imagine what we could do for people on Skid Row.

With these truths, one must truly ask if this group is really for you or not.  As for Central Division, whether you think we care or not.  Whether you think we are here for gentrification or not, we have a duty to stop the lawlessness that has ravaged the quality of life in this area for decades, and will continue to do so.

If I have to verbally battle with this group at every meeting, I do not mind, because, it is worth fighting over to create a positive relationship between the people of Skid Row and Los Angeles Police Department Central Division.

Now who is this group I speak of?  It is kind of hard to say.  There are several groups that operate down here.  But they will probably be the group running down to make a complaint about this letter of truth.  Somehow they forget that police officers are not excluded from
the 1st Amendment Right to the Constitution privileges, and I will take full advantages of that right whenever they try to slander the leadership and the frontline of this Department, that is truly making a difference.

Sincerely,

From your SLO Deon Joseph, Serial No. 32511

A Walk in the Park (Taking Down a Skid Row Stronghold)

Hello again.  I am Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph.  I am the liaison between the LAPD, Central and the Skid Row area it serves.  The Safer Cities Initiative is moving forward. And we have learned a lot since the Initiative began.  This knowledge has assisted us in our efforts to eliminate crime in this neglected area.

As I have stated numerous times, the people that live, work and frequent this area deserve the same protection and quality of life as anywhere else in this great City.  Whether they live in a Single Residence Occupancy, work in the Missions, or dwell in the street, it is our job to ensure that each member of this community is safe and observes the laws of our City. 

Within this community, as in any other community, there are schools, parks, and playgrounds.  The difference is the concentration of the criminal element that has historically poisoned the true potential of this area of the City.  My desire is that our efforts continue to turn the tide on this disturbing trend.  A long-standing stronghold of the criminal element in Skid Row is also one of the potential bright spots, San Julian Park.  Located in the heart of the narcotics trade on 5th and San Julian Streets, the marijuana trades flourished directly under the radar of the police station.  Until recently, officers were unable to tackle the problem due to lack of resources and support.

Since the park’s inception drug dealers saw this area as prime real estate due to the high volume of customers and lack of consequence for their actions.  Additionally, during the last three years, I observed a disturbing trend in the area.  There is an influx of women with small children who are residents in the surrounding shelters.  As with any child, these youngsters would sometimes find themselves playing in this park, while drug dealers sold their product unfazed by their potential negative influence upon these children and the community as a whole.

Under blanket covered tables within this park, illegal contraband and money changed hands as men and women played cards and dominoes.  At times, I received complaints from individuals who were “ordered” to leave the park by the dealers.  This left them no other choice but to sit on the curb as the drug dealers talked street politics and strategized the ins and outs of their trade.

Frustrated, fellow officers and I we would make arrest after arrest within the park, only to see the same dealers released early.  The arrests actually allowed them to strengthen their operations aided by the two or three new faces who replaced them during their absence.  These factors, coupled with the strong aroma of marijuana smoke tauntingly reminding us of our futility.  This was the last straw for me.

With Safer Cities Initiative in play, and the resources we so desperately needed at our disposal, it is now time to remove the grip that crime syndicates have had on this park for years, and give it back to the law abiding members of this community.  This will be done through continuous presence, community outreach efforts, and the aggressive arrest and prosecution of narcotics “dealers.”  Our efforts, if successful will not only be helpful to the park, but to drug programs, shelters, and community members.  Residents have recently gained a new courage, as a result of the Safer Cities Initiative, to give crime information and freely express their wish for a safe drug free community.

Of course we will have our detractors.  A confrontational stance is anticipated from activist groups and their lawyers who claim to be “for the homeless.”  But as I have stated before, (LAPD Blog, September 21, 2024 and November 9, 2024) there are those who profit from keeping things the way they were.  These groups are well aware of the ongoing problems in the park, and other drug torn areas within skid row.  Yet, in their rants and rhetoric regarding police and the homeless, they fail to mention the gangs and illegal activity they bring because it does not benefit them to tell the whole truth about the driving forces which inhibits people in Skid Row from reaching their full potential. Indeed, we will press forward.  They can try to hide behind and distort the First Amendment and the other Amendments to obscure the truth from the public, but we have video footage, extensive evidence and arrests giving just cause for this phase of the
Safer Cities Initiative. 

This park belongs to the community, your community, and we will make our presence felt there until the quality of live improves in Skid Row.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Senior Lead Officer Joseph
32511@lapd.lacity.org

A Skid Row Cop's Opinion II

My name is Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph.  I am the lead officer for the Skid Row area.  There have been many questions raised in regards to the effectiveness of the Safer Cities Initiative (SCI).  Several of our opponents touted boastfully it was a waste of resources, and predicted unavoidable failure even prior to its initiation.  These are groups whom somehow benefit by keeping things the way they were.

In spite of their opinions, we have pressed forward, and the difference in the Skid Row area is glaringly apparent.  As I patrolled my area during the last two weeks, it has been a pleasure to see streets, where service providers work hard to help the homeless, such as San Julian and San Pedro Streets, become environments that are conducive to positive change.  The change is apparent at these facilities, not just on the exterior but the interior as well.

For the first time in years, I observed a woman walking with her three small children down streets that were once tent-covered brothels of criminal behavior and filth.  Single Room Occupancy (SRO) residents and street dwellers alike express their appreciation for the change. These conversations are now a common theme as I interact with individuals in my designated area.

Also the radio is unusually quiet, as opposed to the repeated calls of narcotics dealing, overdoses and assaults that were routine over our frequency.  Most of the individuals that are unhappy with these changes are the drug dealers, and the addicts who used to rule the streets with a renewed vigor after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court ruling, regarding the Los Angeles Municipal Code
(LAMC) 41.18(d).

Though the job is far from being complete we continue to work on strong partnerships with the District Attorney's Office, the Superior Court Judges, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and Los Angeles County Probation Department.  With their support we can send a strong message that narcotics dealers, and violent criminals will not be tolerated in an area that is designed to provide shelter and resources to assist people beat their addictions, and overcome homelessness.

Our detractors state that we are failing to deal with the root of the homeless problem.  In my opinion the root of the problem nationwide is poor education and lack of jobs.  However, in the area of Skid Row, the problem can be easily diagnosed when you walk down some streets and see rows of addicts smoking rock cocaine and injecting heroin.  Narcotics are the reason for the continuum of the downward spiral of many Skid Row residents.

As we continue our efforts some of the individuals whom came here for  "the party," as my Captain so aptly expressed, are now leaving the area to their real residences or hotel rooms.  I believe that in time, as we make the area unattractive to the criminal elements that have thrived here for years; it will help the missions in their efforts.  For instance, rather than drug dealers using the missions as crash pads while they poison the community during the day, the truly needy individuals will have a safe facility to receive guidance and assistance.

As the face of this area begins changing, block by block, I believe it is a prime opportunity for the residents, the homeless, and business communities to finally take a stand and take back their streets.  That is another element of this effort that has been missing in the past.  I strongly believe that citizens will be more inclined to report crime, as it becomes safer to do so.

So when I am asked what is LAPD Central Area's role in helping the Skid Row community, the answer to me is clear.  Our role is: To maintain order, enhance safety and create an environment that is conducive to the positive change in the lives of the homeless, residents of the SROs, service providers, and the business community in Skid Row.

Sincerely,

Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph
Los Angeles Police Department, Central Area
32511@lapd.lacity.org

A Skid Row Cop’s Opinion

My name is Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph.  I am the lead officer in charge of the Skid Row area.  My job is to act as a liaison between the Los Angeles Police Department and the homeless community. I also come up with creative ideas designed to reduce crime and the fear of crime in the area. 

In my opinion, a police officers primary duty is to ensure the public safety of each citizen we serve.  The way I police is not based on anyone’s race or social status. It is based solely on crime trends in the area.  Recent Media reports imply that we are targeting Skid Row because the people there are homeless.  Being homeless is not a crime, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the criminal element that has deeply embedded itself within this community. To say we are targeting the homeless is blatantly false.  The accusations really disturb me because our critics know the truth, but continue to prevent us from properly serving the homeless community.

In a recent report one of our opponents stated that the only thing stopping us from stopping crime is “us”.  This is a person who went on a ride along with me and was awestruck by what we have to deal with when it comes to protecting the homeless. 

I believe there are several “real reasons” why we can’t stop all the crime on Skid Row.

First, the supporting agencies which are supposed to assist us with public safety (The Sheriffs Department, County Probation, Eastlake, The DA’s Office, Judges) refuse to do so out of fear of a pen lashing by the local paper, or the wrath of the ACLU and agenda based groups.  These entities release dangerous criminals early or refuse to cooperate on a consistent basis with our Division.  It is sad that fear supercedes the public safety of the citizens we serve.

Our patrol force is understaffed and overburdened.  The primary car designated for Skid Row can barely be in the area.  When you have under two hundred forty officers responsible for policing 8 to 10,000 people it is impossible to help everyone or make a lasting impact.

There are groups who do not care if their causes are right or wrong, as long as they win or “Stick it” to the police department.  These groups, who claim to be advocates for the homeless, watch as gang members brutalize, exploit and sell poison to them, and then call us as monsters for trying to curb the problem. They would rather label me an “Uncle Tom” than take on drug dealers for poisoning the community.  An example of this is the recent 9th Circuit ruling against the Department, regarding sleeping on the sidewalks.

When I began enforcing the sidewalk ordinance in my area it had less to do with sitting or sleeping on the sidewalk.  In reality it had to do with the crime it produced.  In Skid Row most people are not sleeping or sitting for “life sustaining” reasons.  During the day, many are sitting so they can use narcotics.  When they are sleeping, it is more likely due to crashing from a four-day cocaine binge or a bad heroin overdose.   While they sit, the drug dealers we can’t keep in jail, see the sidewalks as prime real estate for their trade.  The homeless become victims as well as suspects.  There are excellent programs on Skid Row to help the homeless beat their addictions.  But when drug dealers are waiting right outside of the doors, it’s difficult for the homeless to succeed.  Unfortunately political agendas won out over common sense, and now the homeless are becoming victimized in my area at an even higher rate. 

I know that writing this will not convince many of our critics, but I urge anyone to come to Skid Row for a ride along and see for yourself what really goes on.  Then if you want to criticize us, you will have an educated opinion.  I can live with that.

Sincerely,

Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph
LAPD Central Division

Contact No. (213) 972-1891
Email: 32511@lapd.lacity.org