Community Relations

With every radio call you handle and every interaction you have, you have an opportunity to make a positive and lasting impression on the community we serve. I truly believe in treating people as you would like to be treated or as you would expect the police to treat one of your family members. The value of unsolicited explanations or chats with those who live and work in our City, as you drive from radio call to radio call, is priceless. I challenge each of you to stop and take a moment to engage your community. I'm not saying that every contact will be positive but for the most part the public appreciates our service and is happy to see us in and around their neighborhoods and businesses. You never know when you are going to need the community's good faith to work to your advantage. Whether it's to generate votes for positive budgets for the Department, or to get a community member to call in a tip on a crime that has occurred, it is the positive impressions of our Department that can go a long way. It's a two way street, and when we continue to extend ourselves the others will follow.

Crime reduction and community engagement assists us in building and maintaining our partnerships with the community, schools, and clergy as we all can help one another when an incident occurs in our City. When community members receive a friendly smile and a wave from a street cop, you have instantly calmed their fears and eased their sense of anxiety. For many of you now tasked with visiting our schools, in the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, please recognize that you are making a difference each day you put on your LAPD uniform and badge.

History of Newton Area

Newton Division was established February 23, 1925. The first station to house Newton officers was located at 1354 Newton Street. The boundaries were 6th Street to Slauson and Avalon to the Los Angeles River. The 42,000 citizens living within Newton's boundaries were served by 105 officers, covering approximately 5.57 square miles.

In 1964, the original station was renovated to accommodate more personnel. The western border was extended to the 110 Freeway and the southern border became Florence. The boundaries have remained unchanged since. Recognizing the need for larger facilities and closer proximity to the residential side of the division, Newton moved to its third and current station, located at 3400 South Central Avenue, in 1997.

Today, 350 employees call Newton home, covering nine square miles, serving a population of 150,000 people. The community is home to the largest Produce Market in the world. The Coca-Cola Plant, Santa Fe Railroad, Guess and Los Angeles Trade Technical College are some of the recognizable institutions found within the division.

Fallen Heroes of Newton

Policeman Norbert Huseman, Serial No. 7425
End of Watch: December 31, 1945

Police Officer Ricardo Lizarraga, Serial No. 36046
End of Watch: February 20, 2004

Gone but NEVER forgotten…May you both rest in peace.

Newton Area Significant Events

On December 9, 1969, police served search warrants for illegal weapons at the Black Panther Headquarters at 41st and Central. The Black Panthers resisted with vigor as more than 5,000 rounds were exchanged during a four hour standoff. This was the first major, televised event of its kind in the history of American policing and infamously known as The Black Panther Shootout.

Ask The Chief:

Now, this is where I need your help. I need to know what's on your mind, whether it is about changes within the Department or what my stance is on current police related issues. There is much to be said about our ever evolving role in law enforcement and how we fight crime in our great City. So, beginning with this month's message, I'd like to address some questions which I‘ve received through my email account.

Question: What are the chances of re-implementing the divisional ALPO Units ?

The Office of Operations collaborated with Detective Bureau and SID in a pilot program that re-instituted the ALPO officer position in each of the 21 Areas; based on divisional deployment needs and at the discretion of the specific Area's Commanding Officer. This program was largely initiated due to the loss in SID personnel and the increase of property crimes requiring print analysis. Each of the 21 Areas were to select two officers from their Area to investigate property crime scenes and any lifted prints, containing evidentiary value. This effort would then free up SID personnel to focus additional resources on violent crime scenes. In exchange for the assistance, SID committed to a quick analysis of 10 property crimes, per Area, per month in addition to the violent crime results that they would normally provide. SID's goal is to return these results to the Areas within 8 weeks.

Question: When will 484 arrests be added to the revised Direct Cite RFC procedures?

It is anticipated that a Department Notice will be published in the next 60 days that details the requirements in order to issue an RFC in lieu of a physical booking for a first-time shoplift arrest. Detective Bureau is finalizing their research on the feasibility of completing an RFC in lieu of a physical booking for first time 484 shoplift offenders. They have researched procedures used by other law enforcement agencies in the region as well as the results of earlier pilot programs. Key to the success of the time-saving strategy is ensuring the revision does not result in more shoplift activity by those involved. Once completed, the proposed procedure will be reviewed by the Chief of Police.

Question: Is it true you showed up to work patrol on Christmas Eve so an officer could take the night off?

Yes, it is. I worked a Mid-PM Watch A-car on Christmas Eve in Rampart Division. This came about last month when I met with your patrol watch commanders during a recent training session. I offered them the opportunity to recommend an officer I should work for and in exchange, the officer was given the opportunity to take the night off and enjoy Christmas Eve with his/her loved ones. Amazing and to his credit the officer, Police Officer II John “Troll” Chavez, Serial No. 25399, elected not to take the night off but instead came to work and participated in the Watch's potluck dinner. Many thanks to the men and women at Rampart Area, they fed me well and I enjoyed another busy night at The Castle!

Thank you for your email. Please keep them coming!
chiefcharliebeck@lapd.lacity.org

Take care of each other as brothers and sisters in blue and be safe,

Charlie