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Daily Local & Regional NewsWatch
LA Police Protective League

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Los Angeles
Police Protective League
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the union that represents the
rank and file LAPD officers

  Daily Local & Regional NewsWatch

Daily News Digest
from LA Police Protective League

May 13, 2022
Law Enforcement News

2 Maintenance Workers Die After Fentanyl Exposure At Downtown LA Apartment Complex
Two maintenance workers are dead after police believe they may have been exposed to fentanyl at a downtown Los Angeles apartment complex. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a hazmat call in the 800 block of South Olive Street a little before 11 a.m. Thursday. When officers arrived at the apartment complex, they found two unconscious men. Both men, who were maintenance workers at the building, were pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not released their identities. It is unknown how the two workers got exposed to fentanyl. As of Thursday night, no arrests have been announced in connection to the deadly fentanyl exposure.  FOX 11

Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver Who Fatally Struck Woman In Harbor Gateway
Los Angeles police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who fatally struck a woman in Harbor Gateway this week, authorities said. The unidentified 30-year-old victim was walking northbound on Carson Street, west of Denker Avenue, when she was struck about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, police said. The driver was possibly in a white BMW coupe and headed westbound. The driver did not stop or provide assistance but instead fled the scene, authorities said. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics transported the woman to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to the department. Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the LAPD South Traffic Division at (323) 421-2500. Anonymous tips can be made with L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org . Los Angeles Times

Rolex Robbers Strike In Jefferson Park
An investigation is underway after a man was robbed of his Rolex and apparently assaulted in Jefferson Park Wednesday. According to the LAPD, it happened just after 10 a.m. in the 2900 block of 9th Avenue near Mont Clair Street. The victim was possibly pistol-whipped, police said, as he was seen suffering a laceration wound to his head. The two suspects were last seen heading north on 9th Avenue in a gray Honda Civic. No other information was immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to call police. FOX 11

75-Year-Old Man Crossing Street Struck, Killed By Hit-and-Run Driver In South LA, Police Say
A 75-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver in South Angeles last month, according to police. Los Angeles police said the crash happened April 27 in the area of Trinity Street and 41st Place around 9:15 p.m. The victim was later identified as Hector Castro Hirales. He was crossing the street when he was hit by a silver, compact SUV. Police said the driver failed to stop and render any aid or remain at the scene. Hirales was transported to a hospital, where he died. Surveillance video released shows the vehicle making a left turn while the pedestrian was in the middle of the road crossing the street. The SUV collides with the pedestrian head-on, initially stops after making impact and then drives away. The victim is seen laying on the ground motionless after the driver takes off. A reward of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to the suspect. The victim's family is asking for the public's help in finding the driver. Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD Officer J. Mendoza at (213) 833-3713 or by email at 32010@lapd.online . ABC 7

Thieves Break In To Woodland Hills Chase Bank For The Construction Equipment
Thieves broke into a Chase bank in Woodland Hills, not for the money, but for the construction equipment being used to renovate the building. The break-in happened sometime overnight at the bank branch on Quakertown Avenue and Ventura Boulevard. The thieves left one of the sheet glass windows shattered and in pieces on the ground outside. Police say the bank is under renovation, so instead of getting away with any money, the thieves took construction equipment. Their original intention may have been to try to steal copper from the stripped down walls. The same building caught fire about a year ago. CBS 2

Over $3 Million Worth Of Methamphetamine And Fentanyl Seized By LASD In Huntington Park Drug Bust
Authorities said they seized over 150,000 counterfeit oxycodone M30 pills on Tuesday in Huntington Park, which are believed to contain fentanyl. A narcotics team with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department served a search warrant and recovered the pills. They also recovered 94 pounds of methamphetamine and two kilograms of powdered fentanyl, which authorities estimate totals to more than $3 million. Two men were arrested and booked for various narcotics-related charges. Anyone who sees activity that could be suspicious or criminal in nature should contact their local sheriff's station or call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS. ABC 7

$50,000 Reward Offered For Information In Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Boy
A $50,000 reward was available Wednesday for information leading to the person who fatally shot a 4-year-old boy in Altadena nearly six years ago in what detectives said they believed was prompted by a gang-related dispute. Salvador Esparza III, who lived in Monrovia but was visiting family friends when the gunfire erupted, was shot about 10:40 p.m. July 5, 2016, in the 300 block of West Figueroa Drive, near Lincoln Avenue. The gunman walked to the home and fired at least 13 rounds, striking the 4-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man, who was a family friend not related to the child, authorities said. Both were taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where the boy was pronounced dead. The man survived. “Detectives believe the shooting was the result of a gang-related dispute and Salvador was an innocent victim in this senseless act of violence,” said Lt. Michael Gomez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff's officials said at the time a person of interest had gotten into a heated, alcohol-fueled argument in the street with the live-in boyfriend of the boy's mother an hour or two before the shooting. The boyfriend and his brother were the shooter's intended targets, sheriff's officials said. MyNewsLA.com

Alleged Gang Member Arrested For Shooting Pasadena Woman: Police
A Glendora man is facing an attempted homicide charge after a Pasadena woman was brought to Huntington Memorial Hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound, according to the Pasadena Police Department. The May 4 shooting, which was reported shortly after 1 a.m., left 50-year-old Kisha Berkley in critical condition, police said in a news release. Police responded to the scene of the shooting, the 1100 block of Lincoln Avenue in Pasadena, and identified 44-year-old Derick Paige, who is “connected to a local criminal street gang,” as a suspect. Paige was arrested in Redlands on Monday, and he was charged with a felony count of attempted homicide on Wednesday, police said. Police did not reveal a suspected motive for the shooting, nor did they reveal if it is connected to Paige's alleged gang ties. Paige is being held in lieu of $1.2 million bail, and as of Thursday afternoon, he is being held at the Inmate Reception Center in Chinatown, according to jail records. Paige appeared in Pasadena Superior Court on Thursday morning, though court records did not indicate when he is next due in court. Anyone with information is asked to call Pasadena police at 626-744-4241. KTLA 5

Idaho Cop Shot Multiple Times Leaves Hospital To Cheers
Hundreds gathered to applaud the release of an officer from the hospital less than a week after he was shot multiple times, including in the face. According to the Idaho State Journal, Officer Demetrius Amos left the hospital on his own feet to a standing ovation Wednesday after he was shot May 5 by suspect Todd Vernon Brewer, who was armed with an AR-15. Amos took a bullet to the face, which then traveled out of his neck and into his chest. He was also shot in the left hand. A second officer, Mackenzie Handel, was also shot during the gun battle and released from the hospital on May 7. Both cops are field training officers and members of the SWAT team. “This incident is a realization of how dangerous this job really is,” Police Chief Roger Schei told the Idaho State Journal. “We're so pleased both officers are doing well enough to be home with their families.” Brewer, who was also shot during the gunfire exchange, is hospitalized in stable condition and faces up to 80 years in prison.  PoliceOne

Video: Cops Save Choking 3-Month-Old Baby
A typical road detail transitioned into a life-saving moment for two Springfield police officers on Monday once they sprung into action after hearing a mother cry out for someone to help save her choking baby. At approximately 2 p.m. on Monday, officers Christopher Charles and Luis Rodriguez were working a traffic detail at the intersection of Bradley and Wilbraham Roads when a vehicle approached the work zone, officials said. A woman ran out of the car and screamed that her baby wasn't breathing. Officers immediately ran to the vehicle and aided the 3-month-old baby girl. Police said the infant appeared to be pale, choking and gasping for air. Video of the incident was captured on the responding officers' body camera. The footage begins moments after Charles removes the baby from her car seat. He beings administering infant-based CPR to the child. The officer can be seen placing the baby face down on his forearm and patting her back to help clear the baby girl's airway. Officer Rodriguez notified paramedics and checked in on another child present in the car. Less than a minute after the CPR procedure, Charles yelled “I'm good, she's crying!” The baby started to breathe again. MassLive.com

Oregon Police Blame Decriminalization On Increase In Street Drugs, Crime
Law enforcement officials in Oregon say they're seeing an increase in street drugs and crime that they believe is tied to recent decriminalization legislation. According to KOBI 5, police say the streets have become more dangerous since Oregon's passing of Measure 110. The law reduced criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs such as heroin and methamphetamine in an effort to treat drug use as a health issue instead of a law enforcement issue. The measure also called for an increase in treatment centers across the state. Some LEOs say the measure can be attributed to an increase in drug activity that has also led to increases in criminal activity, such as at a motel KOBI 5 watched police conduct surveillance on during a ridealong. “It's been a constant source of complaints, ranging from assaults to prostitution to drug dealing. Drug dealing is kind of driving the complaints there,” Sgt. Matt Ferguson of the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office told KOBI 5.  PoliceOne

Public Safety News

Flames Engulf Koreatown Structure Near Apartments, Businesses
Flames engulfed a Koreatown commercial building Friday morning, and it doesn't appear to be the first time the structure had burned. Sky5 was over the seen around 5 a.m. as flames burned through the roof of the building located on Vermont Avenue between West 2nd and 3rd streets. Video also showed flames and embers flying several feet into the air from a palm that ignited. Los Angeles City firefighters were at the scene attempting to douse the flames. A portion of the building that was not burning appeared to have already suffered damage from a past fire. Several businesses and a large apartment building were located near the blaze but did not appear to have damaged by the flames. It was unclear if anyone was injured in the fire. There was also no immediate word on what caused the blaze. KTLA 5

LA County Reports Nearly 3,000 More COVID Infections, 7 Deaths
Nearly 3,000 more COVID-19 infections and seven more virus-related deaths were reported Wednesday in Los Angeles County, with health officials again reporting increases in the number of cases among school students and staff. According to the county Department of Public Health, 3,151 students and 737 staff members tested positive for the virus during the week ending May 1, the fifth consecutive week of increases, and a 322% increase from one month ago. Another 16 school outbreaks were reported during the week ending May 7. County officials noted that while most children who get infected with the virus experience only mild symptoms, “dozens of children” have been dealing with “long COVID” and “dozens” of others have been hospitalized. “With the school year almost over, we all look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of students and staff,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. MyNewsLA.com

LA County COVID Cases Among School Students And Staff Are Up 322%
Nearly 3,000 more COVID-19 infections and seven more virus-related deaths were reported in Los Angeles County in its latest data, with health officials again reporting increases in the number of cases among school students and staff. According to the county Department of Public Health, 3,151 students and 737 staff members tested positive for the virus during the week ending May 1, the fifth consecutive week of increases, and a 322% increase from one month ago. Another 16 school outbreaks were reported during the week ending May 7. County officials noted that while most children who get infected with the virus experience only mild symptoms, "dozens of children'' have been dealing with "long COVID'' and "dozens'' of others have been hospitalized. "With the school year almost over, we all look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of students and staff,'' county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement. NBC 4

Local Government News


LA Councilman Buscaino Drops Out Of Mayoral Race, Supports Caruso
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino dropped out of the race for mayor today and announced his support for his former opponent, billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso. Angelenos have already been sent their ballots from the Los Angeles County Clerk, and voting ends for the election on June 7. The top two candidates will face off on Nov. 8.“Rick and I agree on the playbook to solve the city's pressing issues,'' Buscaino siad. “Today's decision did not come easy, but the future of Los Angeles is my priority. Together, we will make Los Angeles cleaner and safer for all.'' Buscaino and Caruso have both run tough-on-crime campaigns, including calling for the Los Angeles Police Department to be expanded with 1,500 additional officers. Buscaino is a former LAPD officer and Caruso previously led the Los Angeles Police Commission. The Los Angeles Police Protective League endorsed Caruso over Buscaino in February. “I have tremendous respect for Joe and his deep commitment to the people of Los Angeles,'' said Caruso. “I'm honored to have his endorsement and look forward to his counsel on issues like homelessness and criminal justice.'' WestSide Current

LA Seeks $8.45M In Measure A Funds For 10 Park Improvement Projects
The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to seek $8.45 million in funding for 10 park projects through Measure A, the “Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure” approved by L.A. County voters in 2016. Council members authorized the Department of Recreation and Parks to submit 10 grant applications to receive: $440,000 for Hope and Peace Park, at 843 S. Bonnie Brae St. in the Westlake area of Council District 1. The funding would be used for the demolition of an existing play area to install new play areas and safety surfacing, landscaping and amenities, as well as pathway improvements. Measure A was approved by 75% of L.A. County voters in November 2016, generating about $96.8 million per year through a countywide parcel tax. The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District administers the funds and provides grant awards to cities, agencies and nonprofits. MyNewsLA.com
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About the LAPPL - Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents the more than 9,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. The LAPPL can be found on the Web at:

www.LAPD.com


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