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COVID-19

Picture of hand painted sheriff's badge, painted on a white wall in the C R D F Jail. The words above read, "Visiting Center".
Reopening of Jail Visitations at CRDF 1024 683 SIB Staff

Reopening of Jail Visitations at CRDF

Update: LASD has expanded visitation to all facilities starting Saturday, June 5, 2021. More information here.

LASD values the importance of visitation, and its role in family connectedness during this difficult time.

We are excited to announce the phased reopening of jail visitation commencing on Mother’s Day weekend (May 8th and 9th) at Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF).

CRDF Detention Facility

All other facilities are expected to reopen by the first week of June. The Department will also be offering free vaccinations on Saturday, May 8th from 9am to 12pm at CRDF.

Visitation Requirements:

• All visits must be scheduled in advanced. There will be no walk-in appointment allowed or scheduled at facilities.
• Visitors will be screened for symptoms, such as fever, cough, or loss of taste. Visitors will be turned away if they have symptoms or are under quarantine or isolation orders.
• Visitors must wear a mask at all times and maintain at least six feet of distance, or they will be asked to leave.
• Only one adult visitor OR one adult with one child will be allowed. If more people show up, the entire visit will be canceled for everyone.
• Visitors subject to a quarantine or isolation order will have their appointment canceled.
• Visitors will have to show proof of a full COVID vaccination i, a negative COVID test within the last three days ii, or proof of previous infection iii. Otherwise, the visit will be canceled.

For more information on visitation requirements, please go to https://lasd.org/covid19updates/#inmate_visit.

How LA County’s Largest Women’s Facility Is Successfully Combating COVID-19 In the Jail 300 300 SIB Staff

How LA County’s Largest Women’s Facility Is Successfully Combating COVID-19 In the Jail

Century Regional Detention Facility is the largest women’s jail facility in Los Angeles County and has been able to keep the exposure of the COVID-19 virus to both inmates and staff to just below double digits. How are we able to do this? Watch the video below as CRDF Captain Angela Walton and Assistant Director Dr. Melissa Kelley explain to Spectrum News 1 the precautions and protocols they are taking daily to keep the inmates and staff safe, and the COVID-19 virus out of the jail.  #COVID-19

Sheriff Villanueva’s Weekly Press Briefing 1024 819 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva’s Weekly Press Briefing

As we continue working together through the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department staff continue striving to keep the public informed through weekly press conferences, and regularly updating statistics and data on our website, found at https://lasd.org/covid19updates/.

During his weekly virtual press conference on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, livestreamed from the Sherman Block Building, Sheriff Alex Villanueva thanked Los Angeles County residents for their efforts to help protect our personnel from potential COVID-19 exposure.  Because of the nature of law enforcement, there is always a risk of coming in contact with someone who is infected.  Advising desk staff during requests for service if anyone at the location is ill or displaying signs of the virus, filing applicable reports online, and wearing personal protective equipment gives deputies the opportunity to be aware of the circumstances, and helps keep them from becoming ill or transferring sickness to others.

Since inception of the current health crisis, a total of 1,697 personnel were affected by COVID-19, of whom 1,152 were sworn and 545 were civilian staff; there were 189 cases of personnel who tested positive for the virus, of whom 138 were sworn and 51 were civilian staff.  Currently, there are 585 personnel quarantined, of whom 433 are sworn and 152 are civilian staff; there are 51 employees identified as high-risk, of whom 14 are sworn and 37 are civilian staff.  On the positive side, there were 1,049 employees returned to work, 694 of them sworn and 355 civilian personnel. 

The Sheriff pointed out the numbers average one employee quarantined out of every 18, some of them being quarantined twice because of the large and constant risk of exposure in the patrol and custody environments.  He praised their work and willingness to return, despite the risks.  “We have this issue,” said the Sheriff, “that we’re going to be continually exposed to the COVID-19 virus, but that doesn’t mean the job stops.  We are going to continue working.”

Sworn, civilian and medical staff worked diligently to keep a lid on COVID-19 inside our jail facilities.  Correctional Health Services medical staff and/or Department of Public Health employees hold the authority to designate an isolation of an inmate or quarantine of a housing area.  There are 5,145 inmates currently quarantined, 252 current inmates who tested positive, and 337 inmates isolated.

Overall, violent crimes are down by 7%, as compared to the same time last year; criminal homicides are up by 7% and rape reporting dropped 30%.  Property crimes fell by 7%, and, since Sunday, March 29, 2020, there were four COVID-19 arrests made and 73 citations issued. 

Yesterday, Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Sheriff Villanueva testified on the introduction of Assembly Bill 2655, known as AB-2655 for short, and the amendment of California Penal Code 1524, or 1524 P.C.  The passing of AB-2655 would create new penal code section 647.9, which would make it misdemeanor-level crime for first responders to capture the image of a deceased person or portion of their body for any purpose, other than official law enforcement business or the welfare of the general public, by means such as a camera or mobile phone.  Whether the device is their personal equipment or it belongs to their employing agency, using it to capture the images with the intent to invade the person’s privacy, would be punishable by a fine not exceeding $5,000 per violation, imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or both. 

The already-existing 1524 P.C. would be amended to reflect authorization of a search warrant to be issued when the property or things to be seized consist of evidence which tend to show a violation of 647.9 P.C. occurred or is occurring.

Lastly, Sheriff Villanueva introduced Mr. Alexander Algar and presented him with the Department’s prestigious and well-deserved Humanitarian Award.  It was on Friday, May 1, 2020, that Alexander helped foil the kidnapping of a six-year-old boy in a Westlake Village Park.  Instead of deciding a situation was not his business or waiting for someone else to do something, Alexander took action when two total strangers needed help right away. 

The hero was enjoying an afternoon in the park when he heard the sound of voices arguing, and saw a man chase a woman and a little boy.  From hearing the yelling and seeing their demeanor, Alexander sensed it was a sinister situation.  The suspect wrenched the little boy out of his mother’s grasp, tucked him under his arm, and walked about 100 feet away with him.  The desperate woman fought against the kidnapper and struggled to get her boy back.  Neighborhood residents yelled for the suspect to let go, but it was Alexander who caused the boy’s release.  Despite the danger to his own safety, Alexander went to the defense of the woman and the little one.  He ran after the fleeing suspect and engaged him in a physical confrontation, in an attempt to gain control of the young victim.  The suspect released the boy and walked away; the neighborhood residents surrounded and detained him until Malibu/Lost Hills Station deputies arrived.  Because of Alexander’s actions, as well as the concerned neighbors, a very thankful woman got to take her son home that day.  Thank you for what you did together to keep our communities safe and safeguard our children!

View this story and watch the press conference below:

Woman filling out Police report on a tablet computer
File Police reports online 900 900 SIB Staff

File Police reports online

File Police reports online

In case you did not know, you can file a police report through our website.  The Sheriff’s Online Report Tracking System (SORTS) allows you to file a specific type of crime or incident report.

Once your report is reviewed and accepted, you will receive a free copy of the approved report via email for your records. All cases filed within this system will be reviewed.

If you are a victim of any of these incidents, you can file a police report using SORTS:

  • Lost or stolen cell phones valued $950 or less
  • Lost or stolen property valued $950 or less
  • Vandalism, excluding graffiti, where damage is valued under $400
  • Theft from an unlocked vehicle valued $950 or less
  • Theft from an open or unsecured area valued $950 or less
  • Supplemental Loss Form (Must already have a LASD report number)

Department policy will dictate the level of investigation needed for the incident you report to us. A Deputy Sheriff may need to follow-up by email, telephone, or in person, if the incident requires further investigation.

If you need to file a police report, click on the link File a Report to start the process today.  

In case you did not know, you can file a police report through our website. The Sheriff's Online Report Tracking System…

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Friday, April 24, 2020
image of person on a keyboard.
Internet Safety for CHILDREN 1024 556 SIB Staff

Internet Safety for CHILDREN

Internet Safety for CHILDREN

Since the beginning of March 2020, child exploitation CyberTips reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) have increased nationwide. NCMEC reports they have experienced a 106% increase in CyberTipline reports, from 983,734 reports in March 2019 to 2,027,520 in March 2020.

Although this significant increase can be attributed in part to a few viral videos being shared and reported in March, this does bring up an opportunity to talk to your children about internet safety, and proper reporting of these crimes if seen.  

As part of Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department receives CyberTips from NCMEC and investigates them, along with the Los Angeles Police Department and our multiple local and federal law enforcement partners. If you are on the internet and see a child being exploited online, please don’t share the video out of outrage, report it to your local law enforcement agency, or NCMEC by visiting https://report.cybertip.org/

With recent school closures due to #COVID19, many children are using the internet from home and have recently created email accounts or social media profiles to communicate with their friends or to complete school work and education programs. If not properly supervised, this leaves children vulnerable to social engineering scams, and potentially being conned into revealing sensitive information about themselves and family, or even sharing compromising photographs of themselves.

We at the LASD are encouraging parents of children of any age to discuss internet safety with your child. Any time is the right time to make sure your children are safe. Below are some recommended tips you can follow to protect your child from becoming a victim. 

-TALK about Internet safety with children of ALL ages before they engage in online activity. Keep in mind there are several ways other than the family computer for children to access the internet, such as smartphones, tablets, and gaming systems.

-Review & approve games and apps before they are downloaded… especially applications that require access to your photos, videos, voice, and have messaging capabilities.

-Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible for online gaming systems and electronic devices. You can use parental controls or manually scan your child’s device as needed. 

-Monitor your children’s use of the internet; keep electronic devices in an open, common room of the house. Contact your Internet Service Provider to learn how to enable parental controls or use downloadable software or apps.

-Check your children’s social media profiles and see what personal information they are sharing publicly. Make sure they are not posting their age, address, phone numbers, or any other personal information.

-Explain to your children that images AKA selfies posted online will remain permanently on the internet and never share an image they don’t want the whole world to see.

-Make sure children know that anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and law enforcement.

 -Remember that victims should not be afraid to tell law enforcement if they are being sexually exploited. It is not a crime for a child to send sexually explicit images to someone if they are compelled or coerced to do so.

For additional information, visit the links listed below to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website, which has published several educational tools to help educate parents and children against child predators. Go to the “Education” drop-down menu to access training videos regarding online enticement, smartphones, and social media.

CyberTips can be reported to NCMEC at: https://report.cybertip.org/

Educational Materials are available at:

https://www.kidsmartz.org

https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

Volunteers produce masks for inmates 846 468 SIB Staff

Volunteers produce masks for inmates

VOLUNTEERS FROM THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER-DAY SAINTS PRODUCE MASKS FOR INMATES


Volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helped with the production and making of masks for LASD employees and inmates.

When Commander Diana Gealta from the Custody Division asked her church members for help sewing enough masks to supply all of the LASD employees inside the jails and all of the inmates, they did not hesitate and went to work! The original goal was about 2,000 but the volunteers went above the call for help and in just over a week were able to produce over 7,000 cloth masks! These extra cloth masks will support operations and many inmates will be able to go home with at least one mask!

“I feel as if through this project, our heavenly Father is showing that he loves us and shows us we are all his children,” were the words of one of the dozens of volunteers from the Women’s Relief Society members from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints.

Thank you and God Bless all of the volunteers!

SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA PROVIDES UPDATES ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC 1024 683 SIB Staff

SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA PROVIDES UPDATES ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC

SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA PROVIDES UPDATES ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

On Monday, April 20, 2020, Sheriff Alex Villanueva started his weekly press briefing by offering his condolences to those that have been affected by the COVID-19 virus. He shared that his own niece is in quarantine as a result of exposure to the virus and the department has now two Custody Assistants in the ICU on ventilators. Over 600 people have now lost their lives in Los Angeles County and the Sheriff stressed the importance of physical distance, hand washing, and wearing a face covering to help during this fight.

Sheriff Villanueva expressed his gratitude to the public safety personnel, medical professionals, grocery workers, transportation professionals, and those performing jobs which are vital during this difficult time. He proceeded to share the latest crime statistics and compared to last year, violent crimes are down by 10%; homicide is down by 21%; rape is down by 29% and property crime is down by over 11%. There has been one COVID-19 related arrest and 30 citations issued since the Governor mandated the stay at home order on March 29, 2020. Sadly, domestic violence-related calls have increased. Last year during this time, there were 863 calls and this year, the number has gone up to 933. Sheriff Villanueva urged the public to call 911 if they see or hear indications of domestic violence.

Villanueva moved on to speak about COVID-19 statistics in the department. A total of 307 sworn and professional staff are on quarantine; 51 have tested positive; and 543 are back to work. A total of 1,724 inmates are quarantined; 64 are in isolation; 26 have tested positive and 7 have fully recovered and are back with the inmate population. Sheriff Villanueva noted that now two negative testes are required in order to protect employees as well as inmates.

The next topic on the agenda was budget. The Sheriff made it known that despite tragic events such as the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash and the Saugus High School shooting, the department estimates that this fiscal year, it will spend $11 million dollars less than last year in overtime. He announced that several months ago, a portion of the LASD budget was frozen and those funds are needed in order to continue operating properly and without compromising the safety of the community. He gave several examples of why the release of funds is imperative. He shared that there is a fleet of approximately 300 new patrol cars parked and collecting dust and they need to be equipped with computers and emergency equipment. The COVID-9 pandemic has resulted in an increased in expenses such as more cleaning and hygiene supplies for jails, which was not previously budgeted for. Other essential supplies that will be affected are rape kits, which are an absolute necessity to protect one of the most vulnerable of all, victims of sexual assault. The process for gathering evidence and submitting DNA to a lab requires supplies and those supplies are low so the need is critical.

Other police agencies within Los Angeles County contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to help provide services to the residents that they serve, such as testing DNA and rape kits in a laboratory, or using one of the few rescue helicopters that are operational to save lives of stranded citizens in the mountains or sea. Sheriff Villanueva shared the importance and the high cost of operating rescue helicopters which are used to save lives of hikers and nature lovers that get stranded or injured. He emphasized that access to these funds would allow the department to continue providing the basic necessary safety services for the community we serve and operational needs for the department.  

Close up of hands worning on a Sewing machine.
Inmates Use Pedal Power to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 774 396 SIB Staff

Inmates Use Pedal Power to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Inmates Use Pedal Power to Slow the Spread of COVID-19

When COVID-19 entered the picture, immediate consideration was taken for our vulnerable custody environment, which holds not just our inmate population, but thousands of sworn and civilian personnel, and medical staff.  With roughly 17,000 inmates cycling through seven custody facilities and thousands of employees interacting with them, immediate action was necessary to protect the health of all. 

Custody Assistant Sue Tupper is the sewing instructor who oversees the Century Regional Detention Center (CRDF) sewing program.  She teaches interested females housed there to imagine, cut and follow sewing patterns, and create things which are not just useful, but detailed, functional and pretty. Officer Tupper explains the differences between the English and metric measuring systems, defines various sewing terms, demonstrates the use of different applications, and outlines the different kinds of sewing machines and their capabilities. 

Deputy Christine Badaracco, assigned to North County Correctional Facility (NCCF), oversees the male inmates in the sewing shop where they produce all the inmate uniforms for the Department.  They have one sewing instructor and more than 280 sewing machines.  The men sew clothes but also mend various Department assets to keep them in good shape and extend their use, and create new pieces of equipment, like holster bags.  Some of the more experienced men learn upholstery and other specialty work, which can be useful and even lucrative on the outside, such as custom items, custom-covered furniture, boat canopies, and car covers.  Their goal is to teach the inmates a valuable vocation as a skill for life, so they can find work on the outside, make money to support themselves and, hopefully, not return to jail.

When COVID-19 began to affect the jail system, Deputy Badaracco and Officer Tupper took the health crisis as an opportunity to do something good with benefits, which came two-fold.  On Friday, March 27, 2020, Officer Tupper crafted a prototype fabric face mask and taught inmates how to sew them, too.  That day, they made 33 of them.  In a short time, the creations increased in numbers, and became helpful precautions against spreading the virus through droplets from sneezes, coughs and everyday speech.  Employees and inmates who wear them are slowing the spread, and inmate-students who made them learned a new and beneficial project. 

The masks were initially created for CRDF inmate workers with assignments as trustees and kitchen workers.  Now, the majority of women there have a mask, with the goal of providing each inmate within our jail system with at least two masks.  When an inmate is released, they may keep their mask, to encourage them to practice personal safety measures.  So far, the women created more than 1,200 masks and continue to produce them, cranking out an impressive 100 pieces in an eight-hour shift! 

An average of ten females are assisting Officer Tupper in the production, alongside a half-dozen staff who help speed production by preparing the material and cutting it into patterns.  Whether inmate or employee, everyone involved in the mask project sees this as a basic human need and takes great pride in participating.  The project grew so much in popularity, inmates are waiting to be selected to help!

Officer Tupper puts her heart into her work and teaches with an earnest desire to see her pupils’ success.  “You put your best foot forward so that, if even one person makes it, it was worth it,” she said.

The CRDF sewing shop has five industrial sewing machines and ten domestic machines, which were donated.  The material also comes from donations or from scraps from the North County Correctional Facility (NCCF) sewing shop, where they produce the inmate uniforms.  Since Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the CRDF mask-producing enterprise was in conjunction with male inmates at NCCF. 

Deputy Christine Badaracco and vocation instructors at NCCF have trained 15 inmates to put the pattern pieces together and sew them into a complete product.  With a staff of five, they work side-by-side with inmates in a fluid production line:  Cut material into squares, fold three pleats and baste, heat-press the pleats, sew the edges with bias tape to create tie-strings, snip to separate, and box them up.  Because there is no elastic in the masks and they don’t stretch, they are crafted into two different sizes to accommodate large and small faces.  The favored material at that facility for making masks is the brown material used to sew clothes for inmates housed in the medical ward because it is softer.  So far, they made more than 3,000 and are making more every day. The men, who normally sew clothing, enjoy the change of pace in making something different, and like the sense that they are contributing to others’ health and wellness.

Personnel assigned to Custody Division were given N95 masks and are using them if they do not have a surgical, dust or fabric masks.  The hand-crafted masks will be made available to staff, as well, but not until all inmates have a mask or have access to one.

Before the mask movement, male inmates in the NCCF sewing shop learned their sewing skills on the heavier-duty material to keep the jail population clothed.  Female inmates in the CDRF sewing shop used the heavier-duty material from the inmate uniforms to create tote-bags for wheelchairs, walkers and crutches.  More delicate material was used to make quilts and stuffed toys; the tote-bags, quilts and toys were donated to a variety of outlets, including children participating in the 999 for Kids program and the Special Olympics.

As each facility is unique, so may be their circumstances.  Although there are 75 inmate-students at NCCF, no more will be trained to sew masks, as staff wish to avoid compromising the others from becoming ill or infected.  For now, though, we press forward together for the wellness and betterment of all, and hope for a quick ending to the COVID-19 pandemic.

lasd Welfare checks for elderly or at risk persons 900 900 SIB Staff

lasd Welfare checks for elderly or at risk persons

lasd Welfare checks for elderly or at risk persons

Are you concerned about a home bound family member, neighbor or friend who is either elderly or at risk during the face of this pandemic and you live in the Los Angeles County County Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction?  We can help you by conducting a welfare check.  A “welfare check” is the term The Sheriff’s Department has for conducting a safety and wellness check of a person if you have not heard from or seen in a reasonable amount of time.  

If you believe a loved one may be at risk or know someone who may not have the resources to get their essential needs such as groceries, medical prescriptions or mental assistance please locate the information for your nearest Sheriff’s Station by visiting https://lasd.org/stations/.  

When you call the station, a dispatcher will enter a call for service and deputies on patrol will drive to your loved ones home and attempt to make contact.

Examples of high-risk persons include the elderly community or those who suffer from blood disorders, chronic liver disease, compromised immune system, current or recent pregnancy, metabolic disorder, heart disease, lung disease, or neurological conditions. Remember we are all in this together this service has always been provided to the communities we serve, however it is even more vital today. It can save lives and offer peace of mind for the requestor. 

We are all in this together, and LA isn’t LA without all of us. Stay Safer at home, and do your part to flatten the curve. 

 

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Sheriff Addresses Mental Health Teams and County Emergency Ops Amid COVID-19 300 68 SIB Staff

Sheriff Addresses Mental Health Teams and County Emergency Ops Amid COVID-19

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Addresses Mental Health Teams and County Emergency Operations Amid COVID-19

Press Conference

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Addresses Mental Health Teams and County Emergency Operations Amid COVID-19

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, March 24, 2020