#ICYMI Great day this weekend at #LACountyFair!
Good food & Great people!
The parade during the fair featured LASD personnel, including Sheriff Alex Villanueva, and was a very special occasion. #LASD thanks every community member who came out! It wouldn’t have been the same without you. The fair runs until September 22, 2019. for more: https://lacountyfair.com/
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (#LASD) Scientific Service Bureau operates one of the largest full service crime laboratories in the United States. There are nearly 300 staff members working to provide forensic science support for all law enforcement agencies within Los Angeles County expect for LAPD.
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. This evidence, including ballistics and firearms, latent prints, trace evidence, biological evidence, footwear and tire track evidence, digital evidence and drug evidence is examined and analyzed at the crime lab.
The firearms unit technicians utilize various resources and methods of firearms and ammunition identification and testing. These technicians are responsible for the analysis of any type of firearm and ammunition evidence by function-testing firearms, comparing bullets and cartridge cases to suspected firearms.
The device used to compare bullets is called a Comparison Microscope. It is essentially two microscopes linked together that allows the examiner to observe two objects side by side in the magnification. This device enables the examiner to compare the bullets striations caused by imperfections in the barrel of a firearm when firing a bullet.
Thanks to the rapid growth of crime TV shows like CSI, the profession of Crime Scene Investigator has been brought into the spotlight. The careers involving crime scene investigation include evidence technicians, crime scene analysts or forensic investigators. 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.
** Photo of Sergeant Howard Gavin at Crime Lab in the 1960s from Lasdretired.org.
** Comparison Microscopes photo from LASD crime lab, 2019.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit Investigators are asking for the public’s help locating Mary Elsie Spears
She was last seen leaving her home on the 44600 block of Fig Avenue in Lancaster, Friday, May 25, 2019, at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Ms. Spears is a female Hispanic 70 years-old, 5’1” tall, 180lbs, short gray hair, brown eyes, glasses and was wearing a beige dress with black small dots, and carrying a dark blue suitcase.
Mary suffers from dementia. Her loved ones are very worried and asking for your help locating her.
Anyone with information about this missing person is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Person Unit at (323) 890-5500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS(8477), or by using your smart phone and downloading the “P3” Tips Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
#LASD is proud to attend the So Cal California Peace Officers’ Memorial 2019 in Sacramento this week, along with many of our SoCal law enforcement partners to honor those who have fallen. Last Night, in Sacramento for the California Peace Officers Memorial, we stood in unison, collectively, to show dedication to the memory of those who have fallen.
The candles in our hands act as symbols; their light reminding us the spirit of our fellow fallen brothers and sisters will always shine bright, even in darkness. The California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremonies are held the first week of May on the State Capitol grounds, at the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Monument in Sacramento. They serve to formally enroll peace officers who have died in the line of duty the preceding year, pay tribute to the over 1500 officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since California became a state in 1850, and to honor the families left behind.
This year’s honorees are: Deputy Steven E. Belanger Los Angeles Co. Sheriff’s Department EOW: Feb 06, 2018 Officer Greggory Casillas Pomona Police Department EOW: Mar 09, 2018 Deputy Sheriff Ryan Zirkle Marin County Sheriff’s Office EOW: Mar 15, 2018 Officer Kirk Griess CHP – Solano Area Office EOW: Aug 10, 2018 Deputy Mark Stasyuk Sacramento Co. Sheriff’s Department EOW: Sep 17, 2018 Sergeant Ron Helus Ventura Co. Sheriff’s Office EOW: Nov 08, 2018 Deputy Tony Hinostroza III Stanislaus Co. Sheriff’s Department EOW: Nov 25, 2018 Corporal Ronil Singh Newman Police Department EOW: Dec 26, 2018
Today, we at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department gather in the state’s Capitol to honor those fallen members of our beloved profession. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice ‘their lives’ in the service of others. We stand together to call their names for the world to hear during the 2019 California Peace Officer’s Memorial Enrollment Ceremony.
#FraudFriday- EBT Scam Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) has issued a warning about the latest scam targeting Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cardholders using U.S. mail to attain client personal information fraudulently. There are two ways this scam works: The first method: The first one EBT card holders are receiving a letter in the mail, to call a phone number to renew their social service benefits.
Once the victim calls, they are asked to provide personal information to what they think is an official representative, when in fact it is a scammer. These scammers ask the victim to provide personal information which in turn will be used to open fake accounts. The second method: Cardholders are receiving text messages and/or phone calls instructing the victim to call back. Upon call back, an automated recording asks them to provide personal information including their EBT 16-digit card number and PIN. When that information is given, the scammers create a duplicate card and withdraw funds from the victim’s accounts.
Some of the fraudulent phone numbers currently being used are: (559) 461-9778 and (858) 232-3581. Helpful tips to prevent being a victim of this scam: • Cardholders should not provide any information. • Cardholders who have already provided card numbers and PINs to a third party should call the phone number on the back of their EBT card and change their PINs or report their EBT cards as lost or stolen. EBT cardholders should never provide personal information to unknown third parties. If anyone receives such a letter or suspects that they’ve been a victim of this scam, they should immediately call the phone number on the back of their EBT card, change their PIN and report their EBT card as lost or stolen.
Here are a few ways to make sure your identity is not compromised:
• Know who you are giving your information
• Store and dispose of your personal information securely, especially your Social Security Number
• Ask as many questions necessary before you feel confidential you are giving your information to a legitimately representative
• Maintain appropriate security on your electronic devices
Please call the DPSS Customer Service Call Center at (866) 613-3777 if you believe that you have been a victim of a phone or text scam.
#BearGoesEverywhere This week the Bear followed our @LACOSheriff, Alex Villanueva, to the incredible county area of Lake Los Angeles, located in an area called the Antelope Valley. Sheriff Alex Villanueva, accompanied by LASD’s Mounted Enforcement detail, acted as the Grand Marshal in the 25th Annual “Cinco de Mayo” parade and festival.
The unincorporated county area for Lake Los Angeles is patrolled by Lancaster Sheriff’s Station which has 189 sworn personnel and 74 civilian personnel assigned. Lancaster Station is located in the beautiful Antelope Valley, approximately 55 miles northeast of the City of Los Angeles. Station personnel patrol an area of more than 600 square miles, including the contract City of Lancaster, and communities of Lake Los Angeles, Quartz Hill, and Antelope Acres. Quality law enforcement services are provided for over 190,000 residents.
You can read about our Mounted Enforcement Detail by visiting https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment/posts/2711950582165171) Until next time, everyone stay safe and look out for the Bear in your city.#LASD
The Harbor Patrol detail is responsible for law enforcement on the water and on the docks. Part of the detail’s job is education and crime prevention. Typical observations or calls for service range from enforcement stops for boating law or safety violations to open water rescue and medical emergencies. In the past couple of years the boat detail has responded as first responders to incidents such as airplane crashes, numerous boat fires and explosions, cars in the water and capsized vessels. If you have questions about joining our department, contact LASD Recruitment Unit anytime!
Happy #NationalNursesDay! Today begins #NationalNursesWeek , in recognition of the hard work, long hours & dedication to the nursing profession. #LASD celebrates their passion to improve healthcare- we’ll spend the week acknowledging the vital role played by LASD nurses throughout Los Angeles County. Thank you!
#CrimeTimeTuesday – Man Sentenced to Life for Fatal Shooting of Teenager in Bellflower Suspect Jesus Chavez, 37, was found guilty and sentenced on April 29, 2019, to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing a teenager during a drive-by shooting on Halloween night four years ago.
17 year-old Sitani Sialeuvea was standing in front of a mobile home park on the 16100 block of Bellflower Boulevard, Bellflower on October, 31, 2015, at approximately 10:45 p.m., when the suspect, Jesus Chavez, drove by in a vehicle and shot at the victim with a shotgun. The victim was struck multiple times and transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Los Angeles County Homicide Bureau detectives investigated the case and were able to locate the suspect. He was arrested and booked at Lakewood Station for murder.
Deputy District Attorney Steven Schreiner tried the case and the jury found the suspect guilty of one count of first-degree murder with a special circumstance allegation of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle intentionally at another person outside the vehicle with the intent to inflict death.
On Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, the County of Los Angeles Department of Veteran Military Affairs, and Higher Ground Los Angeles, teamed up with “Carry The Load” to continue in the kickoff of Memorial May awareness campaign.
Sheriff Villanueva shared a few words to help encourage, motivate, and show gratitude to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Not only to those serving our nation, but also those serving our communities. Each participant walks or rides to “Carry The Load” for a deceased military service member or Veteran, remembering them and honoring their sacrifice. Everyday should be a remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice given.
Sheriff Villanueva said, “We owe a debt of gratitude, and each and every one of us is touched by a veteran, or by someone who lost their life in the service to our nation or to our community.” “Carry The Load” is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing active, meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes – military, veterans, first responders and their families.
Congratulations to the participants who completed the Final Leg of “Carry The Load” Memorial Day awareness campaign in Los Angeles.
