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LA COUNTY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA LAUNCHES THE “WAGE THEFT TASK FORCE” 1024 683 SIB Staff

LA COUNTY SHERIFF VILLANUEVA LAUNCHES THE “WAGE THEFT TASK FORCE”

LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA LAUNCHES THE “WAGE THEFT TASK FORCE”


Today, LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva launched the first of its kind “Wage Theft Task Force” to protect undocumented and documented workers in Southern California.  “Rebuilding trust with our community, in particular the undocumented, is crucial to public safety, I want those wage theft victims to know that their immigration status does not matter,” said Sheriff Alex Villanueva.  This Wage Theft Task Force is a collaboration with the California Labor Commission, the LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs, the LA County District Attorney’s Office, the LA County Federation of Labor and several community groups.

According to a UCLA Labor Center Study, low wage earners are the most vulnerable and a whopping $28 million dollars is stolen every week in Los Angeles County alone due to wage theft by unscrupulous employers.  California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower said, “I applaud Sheriff Villanueva for his leadership to stand up for hard working Angelinos and partner with my office to build a targeted judgment enforcement task force.”

Potential victims of wage theft are urged to reach out to a LASD patrol station to file a complaint, which will be referred to our Special Victims Bureau to investigate.  Upon completion of their investigation, the case may be referred to the DA’s Office and/or the California Labor Commission.  Attorneys will decide if this is a criminal matter or not; however, all victims (regardless of the criminal nature of their case) will be referred to the Office of Immigrant Affairs for further support.  Eventually, after a judge renders a decision and if it is in favor of the victim, LASD will serve the court order to help the victim recover his/her stolen wages.

Virgilio Gonzalez was a live-in healthcare worker for the elderly disabled in a congregate setting.  Virgilio says he was a victim of wage theft and in 2018 after filing a report with the Labor Commission, he received a judgment for nearly $70,000.00 in back pay.  “Wage theft hurt me and my family, it is a crime, and I hope nobody else has to go through what I did,” said Mr. Gonzalez.

LASD is committed to transparency, accountability and public safety for all including the undocumented.

If you are a victim of Wage Theft or know someone who is, click here for more information.

Civilians are outside infront of a Sheriff vehicle with it's doors open. Civilians are wearing protective head gear holding training pistols. Training deputies are on the side of them providing instruction.
Members of the Community participate in Tactics and Survival Training 900 476 SIB Staff

Members of the Community participate in Tactics and Survival Training

Members of the Community participate in Tactics and Survival Training

LASD values transparency with the public by engaging in open and honest communication.  Last year, members of the community were invited to participate in hands-on training with our Tactics and Survival unit to promote transparency during critical incidents.  During these scenarios, veteran law enforcement instructors recreated high stress scenarios that Deputies experience on a regular basis.  Community Members were confronted with several different scenarios including some when a mock firearm or other deadly weapon were produced.

During one scenario, a role player stumbled out of his residence while holding his head as if he was an injured victim. A second man exited the residence and approached the community members. Without any warning, he suddenly retrieved a handgun from his waistband and fired several rounds before they even had time to react and return fire.

In another scenario, a role player was sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle and lifted his leg to reveal a loaded handgun that he was sitting on.  The training team pointed out this is one reason why, during traffic stops, Deputies will often direct members of the public to leave their hands on the steering wheel or in plain view. 

Marquis Diamond, a community representative who attended the training program, shared his experience, “Working in the community, we get to see things from the social media side; and sometimes, like we just realized today, that’s not always what’s accurate.  So coming to an event like this, it allows us to see the perception from the officer’s eyes.  That way when we’re in our communities we get to let them know: let the facts come out first, before we make judgement on how this situation played out.”

LASD thanks the community members who took the time to participate in these training scenarios.

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Deputy Clicks and Subgroups Policy 800 170 SIB Staff

Deputy Clicks and Subgroups Policy

Sheriff Alex Villanueva addresses policy on deputy cliques and subgroups With Department Members.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva is the FIRST Los Angeles County Sheriff to successfully implement a policy banning “deputy cliques.” The policy went into effect in February 2020, and a video reinforcing his message was recently released to the Department. All sworn Department members have been briefed and are being held accountable. This is what culture change within the organization looks like.

View LASD Policy

Sheriff Alex Villanueva discusses the LASD policy banning Deputy Cliques.
Portrait of Captain Mark Reyes in uniform, sitting infront of the American Flag
MARK REYES PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN- TEMPLE STATION 819 1024 SIB Staff

MARK REYES PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN- TEMPLE STATION

PROMOTION ANNOUNCEMENT – MARK REYES PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN, TEMPLE STATION

Mark Reyes has been selected by the area contract cities and Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the next Captain of Temple Sheriff Station (TEM), following the recent retirement of Captain David Flores.  This will be Reyes’ second tour at TEM, having previously been assigned there as a lieutenant.

Reyes began his time on the Department as an explorer at 16 years old.  He was also a community service officer and a custody assistant prior to becoming a deputy.  In 1995, he became a custody deputy at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.  He worked in patrol at Transit Services Bureau and Industry Station.  He was a field training officer and a member of a gang task force with the Community Oriented Policing Bureau before promoting to sergeant.

Reyes served five years as a sergeant, both in custody and in the field.  He also worked as an investigator at Internal Affairs Bureau.
When Reyes promoted to lieutenant, he transferred to North County Correctional Facility where he worked as a watch commander.  He then transferred to TEM, where he served as a watch commander and Detective Bureau lieutenant.  From there, he moved to Narcotics Bureau where he was assigned as the operations lieutenant.

Since 2019, Reyes has served as an executive aide for Central Patrol Division, the Assistant Sheriff of Patrol Operations, and lastly, for the Undersheriff’s Office.

This will be Reyes’ first assignment as a captain.  He grew up in the TEM area and is a graduate of Rosemead High School.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute & University and is fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish.  Reyes has two adult children; his daughter is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University and his son is a police officer for another local agency.  He enjoys traveling, golfing and spending time with his family and friends.  Reyes is also a recipient of the Department’s Meritorious Conduct Gold award for rescuing a pilot after an airplane crash.

Temple Station was established in 1926 and provides law enforcement services for the cities of Bradbury, Duarte, Rosemead, South El Monte, and Temple City, as well as the unincorporated areas of Arcadia, Monrovia, Pasadena and San Gabriel.  Reyes will be in charge of approximately 200 professional and sworn personnel who handle an average of 3,900 calls for service per month.

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels” 506 414 SIB Staff

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels”

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels”

During the month of January, which is also Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department worked in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and two dozen other local law enforcement and non-governmental agencies to help identify, locate and safely recover children that had been missing or were possibly being sexually exploited and/or trafficked.

As a result of this multi-agency effort, which began on Monday, January 11, 2021, 33 children have successfully been found. 8 of those children were confirmed as being sexually exploited at the time they were found and 2 of them were rescued multiple times from a location in which commercial sex trafficking is known to operate.

This operation resulted in the arrest of one suspected Human Trafficker, on state charges, and helped to initiate several new investigations.

Throughout these operations, victims are provided with information about resources on how to obtain housing, continue their education and childcare, just to name a few. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the California Department of Child & Family Services and other non-government victim advocacy organizations were also on hand to provide their services and assist in any way.  

“Collaboration with our law enforcement partners is key to ending the vicious cycle of modern day slavery. I’m committed to doing everything we can to stop human trafficking,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the below partner agencies who helped make this operation successful:

California Highway Patrol

Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office

United States Attorney’s Office

United States Marshall’s Service

Internal Revenue Service

Drug Enforcement Agency

Health and Human Services

Inglewood Police Department

El Segundo Police Department

Pomona Police Department

Glendale Police Department

Long Beach Police Department

San Diego Police Department

Wichita Police Department

Langston University Police (Oklahoma)

San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

San Luis Obispo District Attorney Bureau of Investigation

Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

California Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services

Los Angeles County Probation Office

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Wayfinder Family Services

Arizona Department of Child Safety

For more information about this operation, visit:

33 missing children, including some who were sexually exploited, found during operation in SoCal: FBI
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/33-missing-children-including-some-who-were-sexually-exploited-found-during-multi-agency-operation-in-socal/

Anyone who believes they may be victims of human trafficking may call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline (NHTRC) at 888-373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ The NHTRC is a national, confidential, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls at all times.

Those who wish to report incidents of suspected human trafficking may call their Sheriff’s Station or local FBI office.

For more information about this operation, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department-Special Victims/Human Trafficking Bureau or the FBI Media Relations Office.

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Transparency SB 1421 – Update 600 128 SIB Staff

Transparency SB 1421 – Update

Transparency via SB 1421: Update

Effective January 1, 2019, Senate Bill 1421, the Right to Know Act, went into effect.

This CA bill essentially made public previously confidential records about law enforcement officers involved in shootings or other serious uses of force, as well as those who committed sexual assaults or acts of dishonesty. 

As this law went into effect, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) had very little infrastructure in place to prepare for the onslaught of Public Records Act (PRA) requests that were to come.  As the requests began to pour in, Sheriff Villanueva had been in office for one month and was left with no infrastructure to handle this massive undertaking.  The Sheriff understands the value of transparency and accountability, to that end, the LASD requested funding for personnel, and tracking and redaction software, but was denied multiple times.

As a temporary fix to meet the law’s requirements, Sheriff Villanueva temporarily re-assigned personnel in an effort to meet the demand and instructed LASD’s Data Systems Bureau to create software to move forward at a faster pace.

We are thankful that In November of 2020, the CEO provided funding for the software which is currently in the procurement stage.

Since January 1, 2019, LASD has received 3,725 SB-1421 requests, and Sheriff Villanueva is proud to announce we have managed to fulfill 3,593 of those requests to date.  Given the extraordinary amount of meticulous tracking and legally mandated redacting necessary for every document requested, it is a huge feat that LASD has nearly accomplished the enormous number of SB-1421 requests.  Also noteworthy, LASD currently has 335 SB-1421 cases PUBLICLY posted on www.lasd.org under a new digital page titled “LASD Transparency.”  As new records are released to the requestor, they will be continued to be posted online to that page.  Finally, only those cases that are still being investigated and/or involve civil litigation, cannot be publicly released.

LASD, being the largest Sheriff’s Department in the nation, is the recipient of probably the highest number of PRA requests given the sheer size of our Department and the 10 million residents we serve.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Continues Enforcement of Super-Spreader Events in LA County  1024 497 SIB Staff

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Continues Enforcement of Super-Spreader Events in LA County 

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) continued enforcement of the Los Angeles County health orders to address underground party events.  The driving concern was the fact these incidents violated the Los Angeles County Health Officer Orders regarding COVID protocols, also known as a “Super Spreader Event.”

We monitored parties across Los Angeles County and the following resources were deployed:

  • Sheriff’s Response Team
  • Human Trafficking Taskforce
  • Operation Safe Streets Bureau
  • Fraud and Cyber Crime Bureau
  • Aero Bureau

At approximately 1045 pm, Department members responded to an underground party event in the 400 block of South Hewitt Avenue, Los Angeles.  Just prior to our arrival, a shooting incident occurred within the party and two persons were shot.  One of the victims was pronounced deceased.   The incident occurred in Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) jurisdiction, and LAPD personnel responded to handle the investigation, while LASD personnel assisted with crowd control and crime scene containment.

At approximately 1230 am, Department personnel responded to another underground party at the 1900 block of East Rosecrans Avenue, Compton.  Announcements were made and the location was secured.  The results of the operation include the following:

  • 67 Arrests
    • 60 Adult, Misdemeanors (cite out)
    • 6 Juvenile, Misdemeanors (cite out)
    • 1 Possession of a firearm (Adult)
  • One firearm was recovered (adult arrest)
  • Evidence of illegal NOS usage

A third underground party in the 3600 block of Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, was monitored for a possible Department enforcement mission; however, a shooting at the location resulted in the event being shut down by LAPD personnel.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva has made it clear he will seek out and take law enforcement action against all underground party events occurring anywhere within Los Angeles County, who fall under the Health Orders of the County’s Department of Public Health.  The goal of these enforcement actions is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the risk to our vulnerable populations.  We thank the Board of Supervisors for their commitment to resource COVID-19 enforcement action (Amendment to Motion S-1, December 8, 2020)

Photo Link of 12/19/2020 Incident
https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/super-spreader-enforcement/

LASD ACADEMY Class 453 DEDICATES COLORS RUN TO OFFICER ANTHONY DIA 985 658 SIB Staff

LASD ACADEMY Class 453 DEDICATES COLORS RUN TO OFFICER ANTHONY DIA

On Monday, October 26, 2020, recruits from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Class 453 dedicated their “Colors Run” to Officer Anthony Dia of the Toledo Police Department in Toledo, Ohio. A “Colors Run” is a run in which every graduating academy class participates in and dedicates it to a fallen officer around the nation. The run helps to promote unity and pride among the recruits, and it’s a way of earning their Sheriff patches to be worn on their uniforms.

On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Officer Anthony Dia was shot after responding to a disturbance call at a local hardware store. Despite his wounds, he was able to return fire as the suspect fled. While Officer Dia was receiving medical aid from witnesses at the scene, he was able to put out a heartbreaking recorded radio broadcast in which he said, “Tell my family I love them.” Officer Dia was transported to a local hospital but unfortunately, succumbed to his wounds. He was a police officer for a total of 4 years and is survived by his wife, two sons and his parents.

Class 453 arranged for the entire Dia family to fly out to Los Angeles to be a part of their special run dedicated to their loved one, Anthony. “As far as I know, this is the first run that we’ve done dedicating it to an officer outside of the state, so having the family here was a tremendous honor and privilege for the class,” said Recruit Training Unit Deputy Jeff Rupert.On Friday, November 20, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva swore in 71 graduates from Class 453 compiling 20 female and 51 male graduates.

Thank you for your service Officer Dia, your family will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

LASD Relaxes Parking Enforcement in unincorporated LA County Areas 600 410 SIB Staff

LASD Relaxes Parking Enforcement in unincorporated LA County Areas

Effective Immediately, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Relaxes Parking Enforcement in Unincorporated Los Angeles County Areas

The recent stay-at-home order issued in early December, brought to light once again the need for additional parking across Los Angeles County. Understanding the needs and challenges of those in the communities we serve, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Parking Enforcement Detail will temporarily relax parking enforcement, effective immediately, to help cope with parking availability.

Temporary relaxed enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will include:

  • Street sweeping:  All streets with posted signs for street sweeping, per 15.20.07(2) LACVC, will not be enforced.
  • Expired registration:  Vehicles with expired registration will not be cited for 5204 (a) CVC.
    Registrations expired in excess of six months, in violation of 4000(a)(1) CVC are subject to citation, per 22651 (o)(1)(A) CVC, will not be towed.

Enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will continue for:

  • Blocking fire hydrants.
  • Red zone parking and/or fire lane.
  • Handicap parking violations.
  • Blocking driveway.
  • Parked vehicles which disrupt the flow of traffic.
  • Metered parking in business districts.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to enforce violations which pose an immediate risk to public safety.

LASD Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms 960 768 SIB Staff

LASD Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Operation Safe Streets Bureau Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms

On the morning of Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Detectives from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Safe Streets (OSS) Bureau, conducted a follow up investigation involving a felon in possession of a firearm. Detectives authored and served two search warrants for two locations in the city of El Monte.

During the search warrant, detectives seized eight firearms and a large amount of narcotics which included over 100 lbs. of methamphetamines and approximately 15 lbs. of heroin. Two suspects, both adult males, were arrested for felon in possession of loaded firearms and narcotics for the purposes of sales.

“Despite trying times, our personnel continues to proactively provide the best public safety possible. A lot of delinquent lifestyles start at a young age and involve drugs, gangs and of course, violence. I’m really proud of our OSS Bureau’s dedication, determination and commitment to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

OSS provides enforcement aimed at combating the criminal activities of hard-core gangs, while intervening to discourage youth from continuing in gang activities.  

Even in the middle of a pandemic criminal activity does not stop. This year, teams from OSS have arrested 461 suspects for violent crimes, and they have seized 305 firearms and conducted 470 search warrant operations.

Anyone who sees activity that appears to be suspicious or criminal in nature should contact their local sheriff’s station, or remain anonymous and call “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS.