No outrage against attempted murder of police officers

By LAPPL Board of Directors

Over the last 72 hours, there have been a number of attempted murders of police officers in Los Angeles County, yet there has been no community or media outrage. Two prime examples include an LAPD SWAT officer who was severely injured during a shootout with a suspected gunman following a pursuit in South Los Angeles. In another case, a sheriff’s deputy is facing a long recovery after undergoing surgery for life-changing injuries he suffered in an unprovoked attempted murder by an “unarmed” man already on probation for assaulting a peace officer.

Witnesses said the deputy was escorting a male suspect in a mall when the suspect unexpectedly turned on the deputy and hit him several times, knocking the deputy to the ground, and continuing his assault.

Crickets chirp as we wait for the LA Times Editorial Board to chime in with some suggestions on police tactics following these incidents.

City residents, law enforcement, community members and editorial writers should be alarmed when those whose job it is to fight crime on a daily basis are being targeted for murder. Why do otherwise reasoned individuals—despite evidence before them to the contrary—become reflexively critical of police? Why do these individuals jump to the twisted conclusion that police officers’ lives are any less endangered when encountering “unarmed” suspects than when they’re staring down the barrel of a gun? Why do these same individuals assume all officer-involved shootings—while always tragic—are always “bad” shootings? These individuals are cherry-picking the facts and doing a disservice to the communities they serve.

The disconnect between reality and the world in which newspaper editorial boards live in cannot not be more starkly contrasted than the LA Times editorial which pontificated about the Ezell Ford shooting with the following: “It is hard to believe that police cannot refine their encounters with unarmed citizens to avoid the use of deadly force.” In other words, according to the Times, “unarmed” residents pose no threat to officers.

The reality is that when somebody attacks a police officer, they should expect the reaction to their attack will be swift, sure and met with enough force to end the assault. As LAPPL President Tyler Izen told the Times, “While waiting for the facts to be determined, I feel the need to restate the obvious. When a person attempts to take an officer’s gun from them, no matter their physical or mental condition, we should expect an officer to respond accordingly to save their life—and that likely includes the use of deadly force.”

We also note with dismay that while compelled to devote numerous pages of coverage to the unfolding situation in Ferguson, Missouri, the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board cannot be stirred to write even a murmur of protest over the violence directed against police officers there. Apparently, throwing Molotov cocktail bottles, rocks, and other debris at police officers is just not worthy of their commentary. Yet, you can be sure that if a police officer were the perpetrator of equivalent violence, entire forests would be decimated to print the hand-wringing editorials from the Los Angeles Times.

If a suspect takes or attempts to take an officer’s gun by force, he has sent a clear message that he intends to murder that officer and possibly others, and must be stopped for the safety of all. Whether that aggressive suspect is under the influence of a controlled substance, alcohol, or has a mental illness, the target of his attack will be in immediate danger nonetheless. When anyone grabs for the officer’s gun, they become an armed suspect, and in most cases, predetermined the tragic outcome of events.

Public safety requires a strong two-way partnership. We need to make it clear that Los Angeles is a city in which violence against the community or its police officers is never tolerated. The dedicated men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department, who serve to protect our communities, deserve all the tools and support the community can possibly provide. The LAPPL asks the public and our community leaders to continue to support our officers and make sure that criminals do not deter them from making Los Angeles the safest big city in America.

h/t Jasmyne Cannick

Tony Anthony Direct from Skid Row Los Angeles - Photo Blog

As a regular volunteer on Skid Row I have had the pleasure of meeting many interesting men and women, Tony Anthony lives and works on Skid Row, which means he's well know by the residents and police as a familiar face. I have worked with Mr. Anthony several times giving away food and cleaning the dirty streets of Skid Row, and was amazed that so many recognized this caring soul.

 I'm considered a shutter bug and enjoy capturing scenes where ever I might be, on Skid Row I learned very quickly that many become irate when their image is captured, ask any photographer regarding their experience on Skid Row, and many will reveal some rather scary incidences with the residents.

While in the presence of Mr. Anthony no one complained, and most even produced smiles while I snapped away.

If you plan to visit Skid Row I highly suggest hiring Mr. Anthony as your guide, you will be able to capture what Skid Row actually looks like, in safety.

To contact Tony Anthony visit his blog: REALITY CHECK

Protecting Rights, Public Safety - Mayor Eric Garcetti

Posted by Mayor Eric Garcetti on July 16, 2013 ·

Last night, we saw an unfortunate few commit crimes that threatened the peace of our communities and threatened to overshadow the peaceful majority who were gathered to exercise their First Amendment Rights.

As Mayor, my most important duty is to protect people's safety and their constitutional and civil rights. That is what we will do tonight.

Together with the community and the LAPD, we are calling on Angelenos to practice peace and to not let the dialogue sparked by Trayvon Martin's death be silenced by violence. We are united in making sure that our neighborhoods -- and the people who live and do business within them -- are safe and secure.

We are prepared and we all agree: no cause is advanced and no good is accomplished when a window is broken, when traffic is blocked, or when someone is assaulted. So we are united, too, in maintaining peace on our streets. LAPD will respond quickly to any criminal activity. We will not let a few troublemakers keep the rest of us from living our lives and expressing our voices.

I spent today in a dialogue with community members. I met with and listened to a group of teenagers -- about 100 of them -- to make sure they know that their mayor respects their voice, hears their frustration, and wants to work with them to make a positive difference. I stopped for lunch on Crenshaw to let people know that we are going to make sure communities are open for business. I met with a couple of local teachers I know about how we can better help our kids and keep them on the right track. And I spoke to local residents who said they disagree with the violence they saw last night most of all because it affects them the most.

So let us stay united as a community and as a city and make Los Angeles a place where rights and public safety are protected.

Shoot Out in Big Bear

Paul Barsi just sent this from Big Bear; the city is at a standstill as sirens echo throughout the valley.

My daughter is just over twenty miles from the shootout, she could not heard the gunfire from her cabin, but can hear the helicopters hovering and circling the area.

Sirens have been wailing east on the 210 Freeway in San Dimas for hours now, with helicopters leaving and arriving from the San Dimas Sheriff's Station.

No contact from my brother and his team, that are most likely on the scene as well.

I hope this ends soon.

Charlie Sheen's Plea Christopher Dorner ...CALL ME

Charlie Sheen wants to do his part to bring ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner into custody safely  so he's recorded a video plea asking the wanted man to call him to talk things out.

Dorner -- who is accused of killing three people including a cop -- mentioned a number of celebs in his online "manifesto," and wrote about Sheen, "Charlie Sheen, you're effin awesome."


h/t Tony Pierce

Manhunt in Big Bear, California Continues

My daughter Margaret sent this photograph over from Big Bear an hour ago, and the snowfall has begun falling once again as the manhunt continues. With the temperature holding at twenty-three degrees at this moment the cop-killer is more than likely hiding in a vacant cabin as fifty percent of the homes are used for vacation and or weekend escapes by the owners. If he's still in the mountain resort at all?

My daughter and grandson live in Big Bear with her boyfriend Paul, so we have been watching this story unfold closely for that reason. Paul works for the city of Big Bear and when the cop-killers truck was discovered burning yesterday in Big Bear, Paul and his crew were called back to the shop from the field for their safety.

My little brother has been in Big Bear with his team of U.S. Marshall's since yesterday and are actively searching in the frigid weather, we pray for his safety and that of his Brothers and Sisters in law enforcement.

Yesterday my young friend asked that we pray for her brother, naturally I answered her request with a prayer, assuming he was involved in an auto accident. When she revealed her brother was the wounded Riverside Police Officer I was stunned and saddened to learn about this terrible event.

I'm praying this tragic situation ends without any further loss of life soon.

Photo credit: Margaret Padgett

Darrin Kirk Rest in Peace

Family members will join over 100 Motorcyclist to Mourn the Murder of Darrin Kirk and Call for Police to Step Up their Investigation

 LOS ANGELES - Family and friends of Darrin Kirk, a man shot in the head as he sat on his mother’s front porch in the 8800 block of South Halldale Blvd. on June 19, will participate in a candlelight vigil Wednesday July 18 at 7 p.m. to mourn his death and call on LAPD investigators to step up their search for the killer.

The vigil will take place in front of Kirk’s mother’s home located in Gramercy Park on 8813 South Halldale Blvd., where Kirk sustained the gunshot wounds that eventually led to his death.

 Family members say they have released to police a video taken from two cameras at the home, which captures the suspect as he approached the home behind a parked pick-up truck and fired several rounds at Kirk as he sat on the porch.

 Kirk, 45, was an avid motorcyclist and devoted father of a 2-year-old daughter, died at the California Hospital Medical Center on July 7 from the injuries he suffered June 19 as the result of the lone gunman who is still at large. According to coroner's records, Kirk died from a gunshot wound to the head.

 About 100 motorcyclists will roll out to the vigil in support Kirk’s family in their attempt to seek information about his murder. According to a source, investigators will not return Kirk’s mother’s calls, even though they urged her to call them for updates.

 A funeral service for Kirk will take place Friday, July 20 at 10 a.m., at the Living Room of the Faithful Central Bible Church, 400 W. Florence, Inglewood, CA 90301. A viewing will be held Thursday, July 19 at 6 p.m. at Harrison Ross Mortuary on Crenshaw Blvd.

Los Angeles Times Homicide Report

If you can shed any light on this unsolved murder please contact: Haywood Galbreath 310.505.0543, or the Los Angeles Police Department 877.275.5273

Anonymous Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800.222.8477

Friday Morning in the Blogosphere

Occupy LA moved from City Hall to Skid Row

• no winners downtown - Joseph Mailander
• Newspaper survival strategies - Mark Coddington
• When publishers and politics collide - Gannett Blog
• Colonial Workers Get Organized - Working Class Heroes
• Once place where Berkshire is buying is newspapers - Reuters
• Occupy LA Returns to Downtown, Is Met With Police in Riot Gear - NBC
• Half of first year’s paywall revenue comes in first three months - Poynter
• The Narcissists Known As Occupy LA Target Art Walk - Brady Westwater
• Woman arrested for writing with chalk on street spurs violence - Tony Pierce
• Newspaper theft law could be recommended for chopping block - Denver Post

BURGLARY/THEFT FROM VEHICLES

The Los Angeles Police Department's COMPSTAT process has identified an increase in "Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicles" throughout the City of Los Angeles. Many of these burglaries and thefts were attributed to unsecured vehicles.

During anytime of the year, but especially the Holiday Season, it is extremely important to be aware of the potential for crime. Please work with your police department by following some basic safety tips, and together we can prevent crime.

1.Do not leave valuables such as electronic equipment, gifts or packages visible inside the passenger area of your vehicle. Secure these items in the trunk of your car.

2.Always lock and secure the doors and windows of your vehicle, even if it is left unattended for a short time.

3.Park in a well-lit area or where there is plenty of pedestrian traffic.

4.Install an alarm system.

It has been our experience that most criminals search for easy targets. Thus, by hardening the target it can either prevent the crime from occurring and/or buy enough time for suspects to be apprehended. Always be aware of your surroundings and take the necessary steps to protect yourself, family members and valuables.

Source LAPD Blog

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