LAPD union member on proposed police budget cuts, weeding out officers with sustained complaints

The purpose of law enforcement is to keep the peace, plus prevent and stop crime. It’s a mission of public safety. Where does that mission stand when it comes to the First Amendment right to protest peacefully? Harris also doesn’t support the call from LA City leadership to cut LAPD funding, calling it a “political stunt show.” “You approved that budget before the Mr. [George] Floyd incident. Are you telling me your principles and values were wrong then, and now you want to try to have political cover for that and absolve yourself of the responsibility of the budget that you made, and then lay that blame at the feet of the LAPD?” Harris says. “That’s shameful. It’s disgusting. It’s not how you conduct yourself as a leader.”

Growing The LAPD Was Gospel At City Hall. George Floyd Changed That.

It has been an article of faith in Los Angeles politics for more than a quarter-century: Build the Police Department and its budget, and you will build a stronger, safer city. Mayors from moderate Republican Richard Riordan to liberal Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa charted that course, with special emphasis on expanding the LAPD to at least 10,000 sworn officers. But city leaders now appear ready to slow and perhaps reverse that longtime trend, following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody and a wave of rage, sorrow and demands in Los Angeles that the government provide poor and minority communities with more than a police presence. Mayor Eric Garcetti said he will direct $250 million to youth jobs, health initiatives and “peace centers” to heal trauma, and will allow those who have suffered discrimination to collect damages. The money will have to be cut from other city operations; Garcetti, backed by City Council President Nury Martinez and his new Police Commission president, said as much as $150 million would come from the Los Angeles Police Department. Leaders of the union that represents Los Angeles police officers said they found the shift abrupt and disingenuous. “In the private phone call, the politicians praised our officers’ work and professionalism,” said Jerretta Sandoz, vice president of the police union. “During their TV spectacle, they placed the blame of Los Angeles’ social problems squarely on the shoulders of our officers. It was hypocritical and political doublespeak of the highest order, and we refuse to participate in this charade.”

Surveillance Video Shows Tow Truck Running Red Light, Causing Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving LAPD Patrol Car In South LA

Two LAPD officers were hospitalized this morning, one in serious-to-critical condition and the other in stable condition, with injuries suffered in a multi-vehicle crash in South Los Angeles. Surveillance video now shows that a tow truck apparently ran a red light causing the collision. Newton Division officers were responding to a backup call about 9:50 p.m. Wednesday when the tow truck driver ran the light at the intersection of East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Main Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Video from the scene shows the LAPD SUV smashing against the rear passenger side of the tow truck, two other vehicles were also involved in the crash.

Officers tried to pry the driver's side door of the police vehicle open until the arrival of Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics, who used the Jaws of Life to free the officer behind the wheel of the police vehicle who was trapped in the wreckage.

One Man Dead, Second Wounded After Gunfire Rings Out In Downtown LA

One man was killed and a second was wounded in a drive-by shooting in downtown Los Angeles late Thursday night. Just after 10 p.m. the victims were standing on a sidewalk in the 100 block of West 1st Street, near L.A. City Hall, when a car drove by and a suspect opened fire. One man died at the scene and the second was rushed to a hospital. At last report he was in stable condition. Police are investigating whether the victims were shot after having just left a nearby Black Lives Matter protest. There was no word on a motive in the shooting or whether it was gang related. There was also no description of the suspects.

Armed Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested After Sun Valley Standoff

An armed attempted murder suspect was taken into custody after a barricade in the Sun Valley area. Officers went to the 11200 block of Dora Street about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. The suspect surrendered to a SWAT team about eight hours afterward, police said. The suspect’s name wasn’t released.

Man Wanted For Drug Charge Arrested After Chase From Glendale To South LA

A man wanted for a felony drug charge led officers on a chase from Glendale to South Los Angeles Thursday evening before being taken into custody. The chase started about 9 p.m. in a Rite Aid parking lot near the Ventura (134) Freeway’s Glendale Avenue exit, according to Sgt. Christian Hauptmann of the Glendale Police Department. Officers attempted to pull over the suspect, who was wanted for a felony drug charge, but he drove away, Hauptmann said. Glendale police pursued the vehicle, but the California Highway Patrol took over the chase on the freeway. By 9:15 p.m., the suspect, who was driving over 100 mph, was near the Harbor (110) Freeway in the Exposition Park area.

Homicide Detectives Investigate Death Of 66-Year-Old Woman

Homicide detectives Thursday were investigating the death of a 66-year-old woman in Long Beach. About 10:40 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to the 1800 block of West 25th Street, a block from Normandie Avenue, to assist the fire department with a woman’s medical emergency, according to the Long Beach Police Department. The woman, whose name has not been released, was dead when officers arrived, police said. Investigators found suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but the cause will be determined by the coroner’s office. Anyone with information about the death was encouraged to call Long Beach Police Department homicide detectives Oscar Valenzuela and Eric Thai at 562-570-7244. Those wishing to report anonymously can call 800-222-TIPS.

Long Beach Police Seek Evidence Of ‘Criminal Activity’ During Recent Protests Using New Online Portal

The Long Beach Police Department is encouraging residents to submit video or photo evidence of “criminal activity” during recent protests against police brutality using a new online portal. “We will not ignore the actions of criminal opportunists that have incited violence and caused damage in our community,” Chief Robert Luna said in a news release Thursday. Though many demonstrations across the Southland protesting the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis have been peaceful, some areas like Long Beach, Santa Monica and the Fairfax district of Los Angeles saw looting and vandalism. On Sunday, multiple fires were reported in Long Beach and looters appeared to target retailers at the Pike Outlets in the downtown area. The outbursts led to a citywide curfew and National Guard troops descending on the city.

More Than 100 Charged With Looting, Assaults In California

California authorities have charged more than 100 people with looting, assault and other crimes committed during and around protests while police in a San Francisco Bay Area city said Wednesday that a break-in suspect died after being shot by police who mistook his hammer for a gun. More than 3,000 people have been arrested in Los Angeles County since protests began last week, most accused of curfew violations. The county produced the lion’s share of those charged with 61. Sacramento County has filed charges against 43 people and Orange County brought felony cases against two men, accusing one of trying to steal a police car and another of assaulting an officer by throwing rocks and bottles during demonstrations.

Missouri Officer Stabbed In Chest

An Independence man has been charged in the stabbing of a Kansas City police officer, prosecutors announced Thursday. Austin R. Lewis, 24, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, Jackson County prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced in a news release. Kansas City Police Department officers responded to 901 Grand Boulevard about 5:50 p.m. Wednesday on a medical call. The first officer to arrive found a man who seemed agitated and appeared to be having a mental health crisis. Lewis was inhaling an unknown substance, according to the news release. The officer was waiting with Lewis for an ambulance and was trying to calm Lewis down to figure out what medical help he needed. Shortly after, Lewis pulled out a kitchen knife and allegedly stabbed the officer in the chest.

Curfews End In LA

One day after being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union over the imposition of curfews, Los Angeles County officials said Thursday there are no plans to enact another one. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who was also named in the ACLU lawsuit, also said Thursday that curfews are ending. “Angelenos are rallying around powerful and peaceful demonstrations against racial injustice,” Garcetti said in a statement. “We remain committed to protecting the right of all people to make their voices heard and ensuring the safety of protesters, businesses, residents, families and our entire community.” On Thursday morning, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said his agency would not enforce any more curfews.

Los Angeles County Reports 1,469 New Coronavirus Cases, 44 More Deaths

Los Angeles County on Thursday reported 1,469 new coronavirus cases and 44 additional deaths, bringing the totals to 59,650 cases and 2,531 deaths. Public Health claims that the large increase in positive cases reflects a lag in reporting from one lab of over 500 positive cases. Twenty-seven people who died were over the age of 65 years old; 15 people who died were between the ages of 41 and 65 years old, and two people who died were between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. Thirty-four people had underlying health conditions including 21 people over the age of 65 years old, 12 people between the ages of 41 to 65 years old, and one person between the ages of 18 and 40 years old. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department lists the race and ethnicity data associated with COVID-19 deaths on its website.