LAPD Blog

Treasures of Los Angeles Honors One of LAPD’s Finest

 

Podcast Honoring One of LAPD's Finest

On Thursday April 28, 2011, Police Officer Deon Joseph was honored at the Central City Association’s 17th annual “Treasures of Los Angeles” awards banquet.  Officer Joseph is a 16 year veteran with the Los Angeles Police Department. From day one he has worked putting bad guys behind bars and helping the disadvantaged.  Officer Joseph’s true passion exploded while being the Senior Lead Officer in charge of the skid row area.  He is known as a true hero there.  He has worked day and night to keep the skid row community free from crime and disorder.  He doesn’t do it because he has to; he does it because he wants to.  The people of skid row feel secure knowing that Officer Joseph will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Before accepting his award, the Central City Association showed a short film on the work and progress Officer Joseph has made in the skid row area.  One resident stated, “I wish there were more Officer Joseph’s in this world.”  He was recently given the “Hero for Hope” award for Outstanding Community Service by the Los Angeles Rescue Union, and in 2007 Parade Magazine and the International Association of Chief of Police declared him to be one of the nation’s top police officers. 

Joseph has developed several programs for the youth living on skid row, one being called “Just Like U.”  This program is designed to keep inner-city youth out of gangs and away from the temptation of the street by bringing them into contact with successful adults.  He also started “Ladies Night” to help women living on the streets. He is named a “Treasure of Los Angeles” for having a heart for the City and making downtown a better place for all of us. 

After receiving a well deserved standing ovation Chief Beck stated, “Officer Joseph makes me immensely proud to be the Chief of Police.  He is strong enough to protect but he is compassionate enough to have empathy to serve.  Deon is a man of steal with a heart of gold.”

Officer Joseph made a short but powerful speech.  “I am truly honored and blessed to receive this award.”  He thanked the leadership of the Police Department, the City council, the Central City Association and the skid row community. He thanked his wife, his three sons and his twin brother, who is also a Los Angeles Police Officer for their love and support.

The Central City Association is a business membership organization representing businesses, trade associations and non-profit organizations.  They are LA’s premier business advocate that help shape public policy on broad ranges of issues.  The banquet was held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel located in Downtown Los Angeles.

 

Public Safety, the First Line of Defense

Los Angeles:  Every day the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department willingly place themselves in situations that are potentially life threatening.  Law enforcement is a profession that is inherently dangerous, but the rise of attacks on police officers and officer deaths nationwide should serve as a reminder that violence against LAPD officers and the communities they protect and serve should never be tolerated.

According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc, after a two-year decline in law enforcement fatalities, 2010 showed a marked increase in the United States for police deaths.  In cases where officers were assaulted, 76 were killed.  So far this year, there have been 33 deaths by assault in the line of duty, compared to 26 year to date in 2010, a 23-percent increase.   

In Los Angeles, the April 4, 2011 shooting of LAPD K-9 Officer Steve Jenkins and the Easter Sunday shooting attack on two LAPD officers who were in an airship, are clear indicators that despite several years of hard work reducing crime and making the city safer, LAPD officers are increasingly facing life and death situations where use of force is necessary.  State law authorizes police to use deadly force against a person who has caused or is likely to cause "serious physical harm" to the officer or other people.  

So far in 2011, there have been 20 officer involved shootings (OIS).  Three of them occurred yesterday, April 27, 2011.  An initial review indicates that in all three incidents officers were confronted by individuals armed with guns who threatened the lives of either the officers involved or other members of the community.  This information is of course preliminary, and as in all officer involved shootings, Force Investigation Division will conduct a thorough investigation of the most recent OIS’s, which will go through many levels of review.  Additionally, each officer involved shooting is reviewed by the Office of the Inspector general, the Police Commission and the District Attorney’s office.

The following is a comparison of the number of officer involved shootings to date from 2007-2011:

2007:  

• 24 incidents resulting in an officer involved shooting; 10 involve fatalities

2008:  

•  17 incidents resulted in officer-involved shootings; 13 involve fatalities

2009:    

• 13 incidents resulted in officer-involved shootings; 5 involve fatalities

2010:   

• 10  incidents resulted in officer involved shootings;  3 involve fatalities

2011:

• 20 incidents resulted in officer involved shootings; 10 involve fatalities

Keeping the people of Los Angeles safe is our highest priority.  Major crime rates may be at decade-low levels, but the threat of deadly violence is always present.  LAPD continuously looks at ways to improve our policies and training.  In 2009, we made changes to our Use of Force Policy that makes it more concise, more easily understood and consistent with prevailing law and law enforcement best practices.

Los Angeles Police Department officers are never trained to “shoot to kill,” only to stop a deadly threat in order to keep the community and themselves safe.  This isn't a rhetorical turn-of-phrase or semantic contrivance, but a real world reality: taking a life -- anyone's life -- is never our intent.  It's a tragedy when it occurs for everyone involved and for the City of Los Angeles.

19-year-old Armenian Man Missing

***UPDATE***
May 20, 2011

Hrayr Charchyan was found on May 9, 2011, at around 1:55 p.m., in the 5000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in good condition.

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department and the family of Hrayr Charchyan are asking for the public’s help to locate him.

Three days ago, on Monday, April 25th, at around 9:00 a.m., Hrayr Charchyan left his home located in the 1100 block of North Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles.  His family has said that Mr. Charchyan recently moved to Los Angeles from Armenia and speaks Armenian and a little Russian.  He does not speak English.  Mr. Charchyan often takes walks throughout his neighborhood and along the Hollywood Stars Walk of Fame.  He also enjoys traveling on MTA trains.

Hrayr Charhyan is described as a male white, with black hair and brown eyes.  He stands 6’00” tall and weighs approximately 155 pounds.  He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a dark blue sweater and brown shoes.   

If you have seen, or have any information regarding the whereabouts of Hrayr Charchyan, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Missing Persons Unit, Detective Marla Ciuffetelli at 213-996-1800.  During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800)-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most key pads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “web tips” and follow the prompts.

Mission Officers Involved in OIS

Los Angeles:  On April 27, 2011, at around 11:00 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers working patrol in the Mission Area were conducting extra patrol in the 8500 block of Cedros Avenue in Panorama City.  The officers were patrolling in response to a gang shooting that had occurred on the same street earlier that evening around 6:00 p.m.

As the officers were walking through an apartment building mid-block on Cedros, which is known for its continuing gang activity, they were confronted by a male Hispanic who was walking into the apartment building from the front.  The officers told the suspect to put his hands in the air.  The suspect refused to comply and instead, pointed a hand gun at the officers.  One officer fired one shot, striking the suspect in the abdomen.  The suspect was taken into custody and the officers immediately called for medical assistance.

Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the suspect to a local area hospital where he was treated for his injuries.  The suspect is in stable condition. There were no officers injured during the incident.  A loaded, .380 semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.  

LAPD Mission Area detectives are handling the investigation into the initial shooting call and LAPD Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the officer involved shooting.  The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and 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 about this incident is urged to call Mission Area Detectives at 818-838-9810. 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 Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.

Southeast Officers Respond to a Shooting in Progress Call

Armed Suspect Shot by Officers

Los Angeles:  On April 27, 2011, at around 7:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officers working patrol in the Southeast Area responded to a “Shooting in Progress” radio call in the 10000 block of South Anzak Street in South Los Angeles.  When they arrived the officers met with witnesses who told the officers that the suspect, described as a female Black, armed with a handgun, had attempted to shoot her two grandchildren and her adult daughter.

The officers drove down the street toward the location of the suspect. The Officers took a position across from the suspect and told her to drop her gun.  The Officers then saw the suspect point her weapon at a neighbor across the street.  Three officers fired their weapons at the suspect, striking her multiple times in the upper torso.  The Officers immediately took the suspect, identified as, 56 year-old Brenda Williams of South Los Angeles, into custody and immediately called for medical assistance.

Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported Williams, to a local area hospital where she died as a result of her injuries.

None of the suspects intended victims were injured as a result of the shooting and no officers were injured in the incident.  A loaded .22 cal semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.  

LAPD Southeast detectives are handling the investigation into the initial Shooting in Progress call, and LAPD Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the officer involved shooting.  The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and 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 about this incident is urged to call Southeast Area Detectives at 213-972-7813. 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 Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.

LAPD Police Impersonator Arrested

Detectives are Looking for other Possible Victims

Los Angeles:  Robbery-Homicide Division, Robbery Special Section, is investigating several grand theft cases involving a suspect that impersonates a Los Angeles police officer.  The crimes occurred in the Rampart area of Los Angeles.

The suspect poses as an undercover Los Angeles police officer and befriends individuals that have been arrested or whose family members have been arrested.  The suspect tells the victim(s) that as a police officer, he could have their criminal case “disappear and go away.”  The victim’s agree to meet with the suspect at a coffee shop, a restaurant, or in front of a police station to pay a fee for this service.  The suspect has been seen with a police badge and a firearm and is known to drive a 2005 black Nissan Armada or grey Toyota Corolla.

During the investigation, Robbery Homicide Division detectives identified Jose Quintana as the person wanted for the impersonation of a police officer and the grand thefts.  On November 15, 2010, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed two counts of grand theft and two counts of unlawful use of a badge against Jose Quintana, and a warrant for his arrest was obtained.  On April 26, 2011, officers assigned to the LAPD Rampart Division’s Special Problems Unit located and arrested Jose Quintana for the outstanding felony warrant for 487 (c) PC-Grand Theft.

If you have any information regarding this suspect or have been a victim of a similar crime, please contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-486-6840.

Rape Kit Backlog Eliminated

 Rape Kit Backlog podcast

Los Angeles:  It has been announced that The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Scientific Investigation Division (SID), has completely eliminated the Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) historical backlog.

At a news conference this morning, April 27, 2011, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that as of April 21, 2011, all of the SAEK’s booked prior to December 2008, had been tested and where profiles were found, had been uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).  There are currently no SAEK’s with an overdue status.

Stranger rapes are now being treated on a priority basis, with all Department entities requesting testing of those cases to be completed within five days, while all others are to be tested within thirty days.

The elimination of the backlog was made possible through the hard work and resourcefulness of the men and woman of the SID, as well as through the use of outsourcing to external laboratories, paid for by City, Foundation and Grant funds.  

It is anticipated that training scheduled in the coming months will improve efficiencies in the lab and speed up the training process for new lab technicians. A faster turnaround time for testing SAEK’s is anticipated to be the result.

Currently there are 339 SAEK’s from the period of December 8, 2008 to December 31, 2010. All but 11 of them are being worked on by contract laboratories. Year-to-date, there are 329 cases under examination.  Of those, 137 have been sent contract laboratories. The remaining 192 cases are either in the testing process or are less than 30 days old and are in the screening process.

Costs associated with DNA outsourcing are anticipated to be $1,658,724 for the 2011/2012 fiscal year. Further estimates place the number of requests for:

 

• DNA analysis, not sexual assaults                                                         1095
• Sexual Assault cases (120 per month x 60% requiring DNA screening)        864
• Total DNA requests                                                                           1959
• The cost of each outsourced DNA case averages                                  $2,397.

The LAPD and the City of Los Angeles are committed to preventing another backlog in DNA cases and recognize the importance of timely and efficient testing.

Woman Killed after Driving Car Off Four-Story Parking Structure

Los Angeles:  An elderly woman has died after the car she was driving plunged from the fourth story of a West Los Angeles parking structure.

Yesterday at about 9:20 a.m. on Nebraska Avenue east of Pontius Avenue, 75-year-old Los Angeles resident Maris Cherry drove her 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan off of a parking structure that belonged to an athletic club.  Besides crashing on the sidewalk below, her car also hit a vehicle barrier wall and a power pole.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the incident and pronounced the driver dead at the location.  The reason Cherry plummeted to her death remains unclear.

LAPD traffic detectives are conducting a follow-up investigation.  Anyone who may have information about the incident or driver is urged to contact the LAPD West Traffic Division at 213-473-0222.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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 www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Body of Teenage Girl Found “Discarded” Along Roadway

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Investigators are asking for the public’s help in their investigation of a 17-year-old girl found dead near a busy roadway late Monday evening.

On April 25, 2011, at approximately 9 p.m., a homeless person walking along a freeway off-ramp  near the interchange of the 5 and 10 Freeways saw a nude body lying face down in the brush.   LAPD Hollenbeck Area homicide detectives responded to the location.  

Investigators determined from evidence at the scene that the victim had been wrapped in plastic bags and stuffed in a plastic container. The container had then been dumped over a concrete barrier along the freeway.  When it hit the ground, the container broke open and spilled the girl’s body into the shrubs.  There were no obvious signs of trauma to her, and a coroner’s investigation will be necessary to determine her cause of death.

The victim is a 17-year-old female Hispanic who is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds.  She has distinctive tattoos and has been positively identified, but the Department is not confirming her identity at this time.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Douglas Kirkland at 323-342-8953.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers 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.

Alarm School Now Online For City Of Los Angeles

Los Angeles – The Alarm Unit of the Los Angeles Police Commission now offers Alarm School online, allowing individuals who have experienced a false burglar alarm activation the option of either paying the fee or attending Alarm School online.  This online version of Alarm School is similar to the mailed-in home study version of Alarm School that the Alarm Unit has, and will continue to offer. The curriculum focuses on how to operate an alarm system without false alarm activations, which unnecessarily utilize valuable public safety resources such as police officers and 911 operators. Alarm system owners who have incurred a false alarm may log onto https://www.lapdalarmschool.lapd.lacity.org/ to participate in the training and have one false alarm activation fee waived per 365 days. The activation must also have occurred within the last 75 days.  

In the City of Los Angeles, the vast majority of alarm calls are false. The ultimate goal of Alarm School is to reduce the number of false alarms through alarm operator education and awareness.  Reducing false alarm calls would free up public safety resources for true emergencies.

The online version of Alarm School has been up and running since November, 2010, and so far, 2,780 individuals have taken advantage of this opportunity to have one alarm activation fee waived. It is important to note that there is only one Alarm School online that is associated with the Los Angeles Police Department, and that is https://www.lapdalarmschool.lapd.lacity.org/.  There is no charge for Alarm School and users are warned to not to use any commercial sites offering these types of services.  The Los Angeles Police Department only recognizes completion of the curriculum on https://www.lapdalarmschool.lapd.lacity.org/.

A permit is required to operate a residential or commercial alarm system in the City of Los Angeles.  The required permit is initially $34, and may be renewed for $30 annually. A permit may be obtained by logging onto www.lapdonline.org/.  Fees for false alarms are assessed annually based on the actual cost for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to a location as if a crime has occurred at that location.  Currently, the fees are as follows:

Number of False Alarms    Permitted    Un-Permitted
First                              $149            $249
Second                          $199            $349
Third                             $249            $449
Fourth                           $299            $549