LAPD

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Stay in touch with the Spirit of Venice

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May 2, 2011

LAPD Storm Troopers on Venice Beach – May 1, 2011

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April 12, 2011

Greetings Captain Peters:

I want to address what I am seeing in the Oakwood community and it disturbs me greatly.

On Thursday April 7,2011 it appeared we were under siege by the Special units C.R.A.S.H. and LAPD motorcycle officers.

What I observed while sitting in various locations was these officers stopping African Americans and Latino’s while driving or walking and then asking them “Are you on parole or probation?”  Then they would ask them to get out of there cars and search them. I also observed them ticketing and towing vehicles from the streets( one young lady reported she was in the parking lot at Ralph’s with a handicap sticker in her window and received a ticket for $345.00 dollars).

Many of the people stopped asked the officers why they were being pulled over and the reasons giving were you look like a Venice Shoreline or V -13  (exactly what does that description consist of?). One of the stops was because one young man had his license plate upside down, the other was because he was parked to far away from the curb.  The young men cooperated which I was glad of but your officers were often times stopping the same men if they decided to stop and have a  conversation in and around the community. Many of them informed the police that they were not on gang injunction and why were they being harassed?  No response was given but the repeated driving around Oakwood Recreation park by your officers and continuing to target those groups disturbed me greatly.

I never once saw these officers tell the dog owners to put there dogs on leash (there were many different groups running their dogs off leash while these repeated stops were being made on people of color) and I would like to know why?  Having dogs off leash and running in the park is against the law is it not? Signs are posted everywhere in the park but never are they addressed.

What I don’t agree with is this if your officers see anyone it does not matter who or what nationality they are doing something that warrants a stop or warning then lets make it across the board. The law is the law and it should be made clear to the officers that come in the Oakwood neighborhood to uphold it for all the people not just the people of color.

This is nothing new to us in the Oakwood area to watch this injustice go on but it is time that you are made aware that we want equal justice across the board and we are watching and we will be reporting it to you and wanting to see justice for all.

By the way people of color still reside in  the Oakwood area and we love to sit out and enjoy the lovely weather also. We don’t appreciate every time we pull off from Oakwood park we are followed and our license plates ran as if we are criminals. I do not see the people who are playing soccer or kick ball, or running there dogs off leash stopped or harassed when they leave the park.  People of color must endure this each and every time we come to Oakwood and Thursday was quite ridiculous.

If it means we need a meeting to make our voices heard then we will do this. People of color in Oakwood have been  quiet about what is going for to long,  and it is time we stand up, this is our community and home too-we need LAPD to respect that.

It will be a pleasure to hear back from you regarding this matter

Laddie Williams

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December 18, 2010

L.A. POLICE COMMISSION LAUNCHES TOW TRUCK COMPLAINT HOTLINETow Truck Complaint Hotline:   323-680-4-TOW (4869)

Got a problem with a bandit towing company or a legit one that’s acting out of line? The Los Angeles Police Commission today launched its tow truck complaint hotline where drivers can report unethical and illegal business practices to detectives.“The Police Commission is hopeful that the towing company complaint hotline, in conjunction with our ongoing efforts to aggressively address towing complaints though “sting” operations and other methods, will send the clear message that we are committed to using all resources available to deter unscrupulous towing operations from engaging in illegal activity,” said Lt. Phil Hearn the Commanding Officer of the Commission Investigation Division.  More

Official Police Garages/Tow Unit Team
150 N. Los Angeles Street
Room 142
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-485-2102 (Voice)
213-485-2454 (Fax)

There are seventeen designated Official Police Garages (OPG) throughout the City of Los Angeles. These garages are responsible for all requests for tow service from Los Angles Police Department as well as the department of Transportation among other governmental agencies.

Commission Investigation Division (CID) is responsible for the regulation of towing, storage and all charges levied by the OPG. CID also investigates any complaints concerning the care and disposition of every vehicle, which comes into the possession of an OPG.

Questions or complaints concerning an OPG location may be directed to Commission Investigation Division at 150 North Los Angeles Street, Room 107, Los Angeles, CA 90012. This office is open between the 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. It is requested that a comprehensive account of the problem include dates, times and copies of all pertinent paperwork be made available to the investigating officer.

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Office of the Inspector General for LAPD

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has oversight over the Department’s internal disciplinary process. The Inspector General is Nicole Bershon. The staff receives copies of every personnel complaint filed, and tracks selected cases along with any resultant litigation. In addition, the OIG audits selected investigations and conducts systemic reviews of the disciplinary system to ensure fairness and equity. Although the Commission, by Charter, does not have the authority to impose discipline, it receives regular reports and can investigate particular cases. In addition to overseeing the Department’s disciplinary process, the Inspector General may undertake special projects as directed by the Board.

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is one of the major Christopher Commission reform recommendations. The recommendation was to place a civilian with no connection to the Department in a position to monitor, audit, and oversee the Department’s disciplinary system. The position of Inspector General is exempt from civil service and reports directly to the Board of Police Commissioners. The receipt and review of citizen complaints of misconduct and oversight of the Department’s internal disciplinary system are also important functions of the Board.

The OIG is available to assist community and police department members with the filing of complaints of police misconduct or otherwise provide information about the investigative process. The OIG can be reached telephonically at 213-202-5866, or correspondence sent to:

Office of the Inspector General
Figueroa Plaza
201 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 610
Los Angeles, CA 90012

To see the video about OIG – click here Visit the Inspector General’s Web Site.

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Mr. Elorrianga, Captain Hiltner of LAPD:

Today there is a Community Alert (neon pink paper with the City of Los Angeles Pacific Area Los Angeles Police Department emblem) stating that “Rewards for information on vandalism between 5th and 6th streets. *Please come forward if you have seen or heard anything regarding these horrible acts of vandalism. These acts consitiute a felon. Please come forward if you have any information.

*July 11th 2009 200 Gold Cherokee keyed and tire slashed

*August 10th Silver BMW Station Wagon was keyed

*August 24th 2009 White Mini Cooper keyed

Please Contact: Senior Lead Officer Theresa Skinner at 310-622-3970 or call 310-482-6334 and ask for Officer Reyes badge number #34432

Is this the work of LAPD? Or could it be the same person who put out fliers with Skull and Cross Bones stating wrong information with the LAPD/City of Los Angeles emblem once again?

Between the block of 5th and 6th of Westminster has these hot pink flyers on vehicles.

Laddie Williams
310-401-0172 home
310-908-7174cell

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To: Manuel Elorriaga Senior Lead Officer/Mr. Montgomery:

This morning (Wednesday August 26, 2009 @ 9:00 am) I was driving to my home, and I noticed that the Officers of Public Safety had a young man in handcuffs- Donnie Howard that I have known all of his life. I also observed Ms. Carol Powell standing outside long time Venice home owner watching this stop.

Mr. Howard was handcuffed with two cars from the Office of Public Safety #02737 and #16234 and four officers 1 female officer and three male officers. Two of the officers were searching the car and the other officers were watching Mr. Howard. Ms. Powell was concerned because Mr. Howard had been telling the officers that they had stopped him illegally, and they had no reason for stopping him. Mr. Howard was shouting that the handcuffs were to tight and they were cutting off circulation.

Ms. Powell ask the officers to listen to what Mr. Howard was saying and loosen up the cuffs. The officers became very rude and unprofessional and they spoke in a language that I found offensive in a situation that didn’t need to be. The female officer told Ms. Powell to ‘Shut-up’ and this she said several times to Ms. Powell, the other officers were telling her ‘Go in the house and mind your business.’

At this point the officers that were searching the blue Ford Explorer were searching the car,they were taking items from Mr. Howard’s car and bringing some items out and placing them on the back bumper of his car. When Ms. Powell told them that the park needed there attention with all the dogs that are off leash and causing havoc with the children and defecating all over the park, they again told her “Why don’t you mind your business and shut up!”

When the officers released Mr. Howard, Ms. Powell told Mr. Howard to ask for the officers cards and they told her ‘ We don’t have cards and if you shut up our information is on the ticket, mind your business.’

Mr, Howard did request the officers cards they told him “You get the ticket with our information and we will see each other in court.”

This is Ms Carol Powell telephone number 310-450-7561, this type of behavior by officers of public safety is unacceptable to myself and the community.

PS. Officer Elorriaga please forward to Mr. Montgomery thank you.

Laddie Williams
310-908-7174 cell