Sheriffs response on Border Patrol Tactical Unit Deploymenthttps://lasd.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
SHERIFFS RESPONSE ON BORDER PATROL TACTICAL UNIT DEPLOYMENT
According to the New York Times today, President Trump is deploying elite tactical border patrol agents known as BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) to so called sanctuary cities. I strongly oppose this irresponsible deployment of federal SWAT agents in Los Angeles County for civil immigration enforcement.
In 2019, I reduced ICE transfers by 53% and lowered serious crimes in Los Angeles County by 7%. This debunks the White House’s claim that SB-54 and similar laws throughout the nation will somehow lead to an increase in violent crime. We cannot allow the federal government to weaponize our immigration system for partisan politics. This poorly thought out plan can only be seen as a tactic to intimidate an already vulnerable population and drive them deeper into the shadows.
As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I am responsible for everyone’s public safety regardless of immigration status. We are not any safer if an entire segment of our population is afraid to report crimes to local law enforcement.
LASD Search and Rescue Hiking Plan Worksheethttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SEBESD1.jpg640640SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Regardless of the weather conditions, it’s important that all Hiking groups in Los Angeles County fill out an LASD Search and Rescue Hiking Plan worksheet as part of their pre-planning. The completed worksheet should then be given to a responsible person who will provide this information to Law Enforcement / Search and Rescue, in the event you do not complete your trip as scheduled.
You can download the form by visiting:
http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_163961.pdf
The LASD Sheriff’s Emergency Services Detail (ESD) deputies operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week. In addition to their tactical operations. All ESD deputies are certified paramedics and rescue divers and are responsible for coordinating and participating in mountain search and rescue, underwater search and rescue, and swift water rescue operations for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They staff the Air-5 Rescue Helicopter, the Ocean Rescue Boat, and accompany the Special Weapons Teams on all operations.The ESD also maintains two Reserve companies assigned to its command. The Medical Company consists of doctors and medical specialists who are available to work with the Air-5 crew on busy weekends and major holidays.
Additionally, augmented alongside the full time crew are Reserve Deputies who are dedicated volunteers from the local community. They come from all walks of life and bring their own unique skills and experiences to the team. These Reserve Deputies are also EMT’s and Mountain Rescue certified and share common bond “So that others may live”.
Authored by: Deputy James Nagao Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Hall of Justice – First floor 211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
In honor of Women in science day, LASD recognizes the hardworking scientists who help nab criminalshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Crime-Lab.jpg983469SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
IN HONOR OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE DAY, LASD RECOGNIZES THE HARDWORKING SCIENTISTS WHO HELP NAB CRIMINALS
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Scientific Services Bureau operates one of the largest full service crime
laboratories in the United States. There are nearly 300 staff members, of which
160 are women, who work to provide forensic science support for all law
enforcement agencies within Los Angeles County, with the exception of the Los
Angeles Police Department.
Forensic science is any science that can be
used in the legal system and crime scene investigation is a combination of
science, logic and law.
At the crime scene, all potential evidence is
collected by Forensic Identification Specialists. This evidence includes
ballistics and firearms, latent prints, trace evidence, biological evidence,
footwear and tire track evidence, digital evidence and drug evidence. These are
examined and analyzed at the crime lab.
The Latent Print section of the crime lab
collects prints at crime scenes, conducts investigations and works with
chemical processing. The job also entails report writing and testifying in
court. Other careers in the crime scene investigation field include evidence
technicians, crime scene analysts and forensic investigators.
Danielle Tiesma, a Forensic Identification
Specialist II at the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center in Los Angeles, is
shown lifting fingerprints from an object using a magnetic brush, magnetic
powder and lifting tape.
Antoinette S. Bravo, a Forensic Identification Specialist II also working out of the Herzberg-Davis Center is shown taking photographs of a crime scene and marking evidence using yellow evidence markers.
Thanks to the rapid growth of crime TV shows
like “CSI,” the profession of Crime Scene Investigator has been brought into
the spotlight. The job probably does not look like what you have seen on the TV
shows, but it is an incredibly rewarding and gratifying career in the law
enforcement world.
In support of Women in Science, the LASD
salutes Forensic Identification Specialist Bravo and Tiesma, for their
commitment in the field of science, law enforcement and the pursuit of justice.
** Photo of Danielle Tiesma and Antoinette Bravo Forensic Identification Specialists II
** Latent Print Section / Crime Scene Investigation Photography, 2020.
Minh G. Dinh promoted to Captainhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Dinh.png457572SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Minh Dinh is the latest Captain to be promoted under Sheriff
Alex Villanueva’s new Captain promotional process. Captain Dinh, a
33-year veteran of the Department, has been selected to take the helm of the
Cerritos Station.
Captain Dinh graduated from Academy class 239 and spent his
first 12 years on the Department as a deputy at Men’s Central Jail (MCJ),
Temple Station (TEM), Personnel bureau and Operation Safe Streets before
promoting to Detective at COPS Bureau, working on the Asian Crimes Taskforce.
Captain Dinh returned to TEM as a sergeant for five years
before promoting to lieutenant and transferring back to MCJ as the Watch
Commander. He also served as a lieutenant at Lakewood Station and
Professional Standards Division.
Captain Dinh has an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree
in Business Administration and Human Resources, and a jurist doctorate from Northwestern
California University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the FBI
National Academy and has completed multiple Department leadership
courses.
Captain Dinh has participated in televised Public Safety Announcements promoting child car seat safety, and has appeared on Vietnamese speaking channels to promote general safety awareness. He was also part of the Department’s security detail for President George W. Bush’s inaugural parade in 2005.
At the age of 14, Captain Dinh came to the United States by
himself after spending a year in a Malaysian refugee camp. He supported
himself after graduating high school and decided to join the Department in
1987. He has been married to retired LASD Lieutenant, Jenny Ha, for 29
years and their adult daughter, Claire, a Fulbright alum, is currently
attending Harvard Medical School. In his free time, Captain Dinh enjoys
swimming, reading and bicycling.
The city of Cerritos is located in Southeastern Los Angeles
County and has a population of approximately 50,000. LASD has provided
law enforcement services for the city since 1956 and the station is located
adjacent to City Hall. The Department and city government have a strong
relationship and are both deeply committed to emphasizing community oriented
policing.
On Thursday, February 6, 2020, Sheriff Villanueva attended the 26th annual BRAVO (Bellflower Recognizes Acts of Valor and Outstanding Service) Awards inside Bellflower City Hall
Detective
Saavedra, Deputy Manjra, and volunteer Asad Megally were awarded the
“Outstanding Service.” Deputy Parriott and Deputy Saldivar were given
the “Valor Award,” and Patricia Bateman was recognized for her
Distinguished Service.
Deputy
Parriott and Deputy Saldivar were on duty when they heard an emergency call for
service of a man not breathing. They rushed to the location and immediately administered
CPR on the patient until paramedics arrived. The man was transported to
the local hospital and survived. Due to their fast actions and great judgment
saved the man’s life. They received the “Valor Award” and were honored for
their heroic efforts.
Deputy
Manjra and Detective Saavedra were investigating a series of vehicle burglaries
in the Bellflower area. They looked into every tip received and were able to identify,
locate, and arrest the suspect, who was selling the stolen auto parts online. The
deputies were awarded the “Outstanding Service” for their dedication and
honored for their commitment to community safety.
Patricia
Bateman has served as the Telephone Operator since 1995 at the Lakewood
Station. She is a valued asset to the station and the community and was awarded
the “Distinguished Service Award.”
Asad Megally
works at the Lakewood Sheriff’s station as a volunteer. His volunteer
efforts have been appreciated each day and were honored with an “Outstanding
Service Award.”
We
congratulate all deputies and personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
who received these distinguished honors and salute their outstanding work. They
inspire all of us to continue our devotion to community outreach and public
service.
Lakewood Boy Spots 83 y/o Missing man During Search, Helps Project Lifesaver and Deputies Reunite him with Family
Today, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel and city of Lakewood officials joined 8 year-old Jaxon and his family to talk about the details surrounding how Jaxon spotted 83 year-old missing person Roger Dunworth during a neighborhood search.
Jaxon was also presented with gifts of appreciation by LASD MET personnel and the city of Lakewood for his help in finding Mr. Dunworth.
City of Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers stated, “One of our dearest held values is neighbors helping neighbors. People stepping up to help their fellow resident here in the city of Lakewood.” Mayor Rogers then thanked Jaxon “for being Lakewood’s newest hero.”
Lakewood Station Captain David Sprengel praised Jaxon and said, “Today we celebrate Jaxon Opdyke, our eight year-old hero from Lakewood,” before presenting Jaxon with the Lakewood Station pin which is just like the one Lakewood deputies wear.
“Look! Down that street,” said Jaxon after spotting a person fitting the description of Mr. Dunworth. Once Jaxon and his family got closer, Jaxon’s grandmother asked, “Hey, are you Roger?” Mr. Dunworth replied, “Yeah, I could sure use a ride!”
Lakewood Boy Spots 83 y/o Missing Person During Search, Helps Project Lifesaver MET Deputies Reunite with FamilyToday, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel and city of Lakewood officials joined 8 year-old Jaxon and his family to talk about the details surrounding how Jaxon spotted 83 year-old missing person Roger Dunworth during a neighborhood search.Jaxon was also presented with gifts of appreciation by LASD MET personnel and the city of Lakewood for his help in finding Mr. Dunworth.City of Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers stated, “One of our dearest held values is neighbors helping neighbors. People stepping up to help their fellow resident here in the city of Lakewood.” Mayor Rogers then thanked Jaxon “for being Lakewood’s newest hero.”Lakewood Station Captain David Sprengel praised Jaxon and said, “Today we celebrate Jaxon Opdyke, our eight year-old hero from Lakewood,” before presenting Jaxon with the Lakewood Station pin which is just like the one Lakewood deputies wear.“Look! Down that street,” said Jaxon after spotting a person fitting the description of Mr. Dunworth. Once Jaxon and his family got closer, Jaxon’s grandmother asked, “Hey, are you Roger?” Mr. Dunworth replied, “Yeah, I could sure use a ride!”Mr. Dunsworth was then brought home safely.
Approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations Center Projecthttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/EVOC-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff
Alex Villanueva Announces Approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations
Center Project by the Board of
Supervisors
The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday,
February 4, unanimously approved funding for the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle
Operations Center (EVOC) project. The future facility will be utilized to train
entry-level and in-service Department personnel in basic and advanced vehicle
handling dynamics, and evasive driving tactics. The proposed project would
utilize several parcels at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center located at
29310 The Old Road, Castaic, California.
The $15,500,000 project will consist of, but
not be limited to, a vehicle driving/training track, skid pan, new modular
office/locker rooms, collision avoidance and pursuit track, track
appurtenances, paved parking area, bioswales, landscaping, and relocation of
Southern California Edison and various facility power poles. The overall site
area for the proposed EVOC is approximately 44.5 acres.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(LASD) currently operates an emergency vehicle operations center at the Pomona
Fairgrounds. LASD has used the existing facility on the fairground property for
more than 35 years to provide training in emergency vehicle operations to
deputy sheriff trainees and police officers enrolled in LASD’s Academy, in
addition to ongoing vehicle operations training for LASD staff.
The current arrangement between LASD and the
Fair Association requires the EVOC office to cease operations for approximately
two to three months per year for major events, such as the LA County Fair and
National Hot Rod Association. These disruptions to the EVOC training schedule
limit the number of training days available to LASD and created challenges with
meeting LASD’s mandatory training requirements.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for today’s approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC). The future EVOC will provide deputies with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate vehicles in emergencies while mitigating the many risks associated with the practice,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. “The Safety of the public and the effectiveness of our personnel is of paramount importance for us. This facility will assist the Sheriff’s Department in improving law enforcement’s driving capabilities and community safety,” he added.
Sheriff Villanueva and
the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force Announce Arrests and
Rescues by California Law Enforcement
During Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild
In
conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Sheriff Alex Villanueva
announced details and results from the sixth annual Operation Reclaim and
Rebuild enforcement operation, conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Human
Trafficking Task Force and 70 participating federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California. The weeklong, statewide effort aimed at
combatting human trafficking took place between Sunday, January 26, and
Saturday, February 1, 2020, and was conducted in various mediums and met with
positive results.
The
press conference was held Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the iconic Hall of
Justice in downtown Los Angeles. Sheriff
Alex Villanueva was joined by executives and representatives from the Los
Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, California Department of
Justice, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) , San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department, Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force,
Homeland Security Investigations, Journey Out, Los Angeles County Department of
Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Probation Department, Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles
School Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Concord Police Department,
San Gabriel Police Department, Saving Innocence, and Zoe International.
Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human
trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, identifying and
arresting their captors, seeking successful prosecutions, and disrupting the
demand for vulnerable victims by targeting their customers. Police agencies and other trafficking task
forces throughout our state joined in the enforcement operation to send the
clear message that California law enforcement shares a unified mandate: Human trafficking must not be tolerated in
our state!
In
preparation for the event, an operational planning meeting took place in Los
Angeles, with over 200 federal, state and municipal law enforcement detectives
from all over California in attendance.
Investigators focused enforcement operations wherever the trafficking of
human beings took place, from confronting the reality of sidewalk prostitution
by conducting demand operations, to challenging the virtual reality of the
cyber world where traffickers believe they can operate anonymously using the
internet.
The
internet furnishes a vast variety of opportunities for traffickers, but with
the experience of specially-trained cyber detectives who posed as vulnerable
teenagers and interacted with suspects on social media, traffickers and
customers who were anxious to exploit found their plans foiled.
Victims
encountered during enforcement efforts were cared for by personnel from various
Department of Children and Family Services Agencies and victim service
providers in each county. In Los Angeles
County, CAST, Saving Innocence, Zoe International, and Journey Out coordinated
the emergency services response for victim care and collaborated with similar,
non-governmental victim service organizations throughout the state.
Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild was widely successful in its endeavor with 76 adult and 11
minor victims being recovered; 266 males arrested for the charge of
Solicitation; and 27 suspected traffickers and exploiters were arrested. In total, 518 arrests were made.
Sheriff Villanueva relayed the mission, efforts
and results of Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, and gave a firm direction to the victims: “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
and our partners stand with each victim of this heinous crime. You are the focus of this endeavor. We are here for you. We are here to help you reclaim your freedom
from the binds of sex trafficking, and to provide you the support and tools to
rebuildyour lives.
“To the traffickers and
solicitors: We will not tolerate the
enslavement and trafficking of others in any form. We will seek you out and prosecute you to the
fullest extent of the law.
“To the
Johns: Purchasing commercial sex is
illegal and buying sex adds to the exploitation of those involved,” he said
poignantly.
Captain
Michael Hannemann, who oversaw the coordinated effort, defined the
undertaking. “Operation Reclaim and
Rebuild is a state-wide operation which displays the mutual commitment of
California law enforcement, social service agencies, and victim service
providers in the fight to end sex trafficking,” he said. “The L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task
Force is an example of how individual entities can be far more effective, when
they join together in a shared mission.
Today, 11 children have been rescued from their exploiters and 76 women
have been connected with the services necessary to rebuild their lives, free
from exploitation.”
“As a
task force, we are continuing to find cutting-edge approaches to serving
survivors that prioritize their rights, secure their safety, and provide access
to services – while holding traffickers accountable,” said CAST CEO and
Executive Director Kay Buck. “I want to
thank all of the amazing community leaders that are a part of the task force
for being stewards of our shared community values and our evolving national
model.”
Deputy
Chief Kris Pitcher, Los Angeles Police Department, shared four cases which came
as a result of Human Trafficking Taskforce operations and daily operations. He attributed them to the collaborative work
between organizations and non-governmental resource providers which come
alongside to lift victims, “…out of their issues, provide them life-saving skills,
life-building skills, and ultimately…prosecute those vicious criminals who prey
upon them.”
“Human trafficking amounts to nothing less than modern day slavery
and has no place in our society,” said
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in a statement.“It’s
up to us to take on criminals who profit from forced labor and sexual
exploitation of vulnerable Californians. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is a
testament to what can be accomplished to support survivors and combat
trafficking in our state.”
Sheriff and Undersheriff attend Golden Dragon Paradehttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/i-BDs7Gnv-X2-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
SHERIFF AND UNDERSHERIFF ATTEND GOLDEN DRAGON PARADE
Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year for
the Asian-American Community, and the celebration traditionally lasts about 15
days, starting with lighting piles of firecrackers and concluding with the
lantern festival.
Since
the mid-80s, Golden Dragon Parade has become an icon of the Chinese culture and
brings a rich and diverse experience for all ethnicities. Presented by the
Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles to celebrate the year of Rat, this
year’s parade was highlighted by the queen of the parade, marching bands,
various cultural dancers and the traditional performance of the dragon and lion
dance.
Sheriff
Villanueva and Undersheriff Murakami proudly represented the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department during the parade. They walked along Board of Supervisors
Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis. LAPD Chief Moore was also in attendance.
Sheriff Villanueva said “this celebration is a wonderful way to ring in
the Lunar New Year. It celebrates the accomplishments in all our lives.
We at the LASD have accomplished a lot in the year of 2019. We will
continue to work hard with our communities and keep the success moving forward
in 2020.”
UnderSheriff Murakami attended Lunar New Year Celebrationhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_0746-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
UNDERSHERIFF MURAKAMI ATTENDED LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT HIS LAI TEMPLE
With the beating of the gongs and drums, the Lunar New
Year’s celebration was carried out by the joyful lions dance at Hsi Lai Temple.
Decorated with red and gold, which symbolized happiness and fortune, the temple
was filled with hope, joy and energy.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Timothy Murakami, along with the Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn, State Senator Ling Ling Chang and other leaders from the county participated the celebration.
On behalf of the Sheriff, Undersheriff Murakami presented
the certificate of appreciation to Venerable Hui Dong in honor of his devotion
to the community.
Undersheriff Murakami expressed that LASD will always work
with the people and the community because that is the key to success.
We at LASD would like to wish everyone a happy and
prosperous Lunar New Year 2020!
