LASDHQ

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Announces Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations 1024 576 SIB Staff

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Announces Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration conducted a collaborative operation to take down multiple illegal marijuana grows in Unincorporated Lancaster.

As a result of information received through public calls for service and multiple complaints from residents in Unincorporated Lancaster, the largest operation in the history of the Sheriff’s Department was developed to put an end to the hundreds of illegal marijuana cultivations in the Antelope Valley. Over 400 personnel from multiple Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Bureaus, the National Guard, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and members from the Kern County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County Sheriff’s Department were part of the operation.  

In the year 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Narcotic Bureau Detectives identified 150 illegal marijuana cultivations during a flight reconnaissance. This year, the number increased to over 500.  The cultivations grew in size as well, the average size per grow was eight greenhouses and now the average is 15. Today, a 75 greenhouse grow that covered 10 acres of ground was bulldozed. Violent crime is also directly linked to illegal cultivations. Armed cartel members stealing water in the middle of the night from farmers and residents has become a common sight.

“We’re going to send a loud and clear message to all the cartels and illegal operations, ‘your days here are over and you need to pack up and leave or we’re going to find you,’” said Sheriff Villanueva.

So far, 23 arrests were made, 5 firearms were seized, 2 water trucks were recovered, and marijuana worth millions of dollars was seized from greenhouses.  Also, during the operation, seven mixed breed dogs including four puppies were recovered by LASD personnel and are now under the care of Reversed Rescue, a non-profit dog rescue organization. 


The success of this operation was possible because of the wide range of agencies that collaborated and thanks to the information collected from countless investigation hours and tips provided by courageous people who trust law enforcement.

search warrants lead to 22 arrest in an illegal marijuana/cannabis dispensaries enforcement operation 1024 768 SIB Staff

search warrants lead to 22 arrest in an illegal marijuana/cannabis dispensaries enforcement operation

LASD Narcotics Bureau and Additional Teams Served a 10 Location Search Warrant Operation, East Los Angeles

8 people were arrested for weapon charges, 14 people for possession of cannabis for sale, and approximately 220 lbs of cannabis flower, 215 lbs of cannabis edibles, and 227 lbs of cannabis concentrate were seized yesterday in a multiple location search warrant conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

In addition to the multiple arrests and seizures, 4 guns, 1 rifle, 456 grams of methamphetamine, and 56 grams of fentanyl were seized and approximately $28,000 in U.S. currency were recovered.

On Thursday June 3, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Bureau with the assistance of Community Partnerships Bureau (COPS), East Los Angeles Station Special Problems Team (SPT), Crime Enforcement Team (CET), Summer Team, Commerce/Maywood Special Assignment Teams, Pico Special Problems Team (PSP) and summer team executed a 10 location search warrant in the East Los Angeles area.

All of the locations were marijuana/cannabis dispensaries operating illegally in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.

This operation is one of the many to come in which the focus is to take illicit and illegal drugs off the street.

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
Potential Release of Sexually Violent Predator Calvin Grassmier into the Crescenta Valley Community 1024 249 SIB Staff

Potential Release of Sexually Violent Predator Calvin Grassmier into the Crescenta Valley Community

POTENTIAL RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR CALVIN GRASSMIER INTO THE CRESCENTA VALLEY COMMUNITY

As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, my primary concern is for the safety and security of the residents of our communities. Releasing violent sexual predators, such as Calvin Grassmier, into our communities makes us all less safe, as well as places an unnecessary burden on public safety resources. I urge the Superior Court to look at alternative areas where Calvin Grassmier can be placed, other than residential communities in Los Angeles.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Visitation room has one stool and partitions on either side, facing a glass partition where inmates can visit with family. There is a Security Officer overlooking the row of visitation booths.
LASD expands visitation to all facilities on June 5, 2021 900 600 SIB Staff

LASD expands visitation to all facilities on June 5, 2021

LASD has expanded visitation to all facilities starting Saturday, June 5.

Due to the nature of the pandemic, guidelines and requirements are subject to change at any time. Please check this website frequently for updated information.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, the visitation process and requirements have changed. If requirements are not satisfied, you will be asked to leave, and the appointment will be canceled. Visitation appointments can also be canceled if an inmate is not eligible to receive visits due to a medical quarantine or other factors.

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, a negative COVID test within the last three days, or proof of previous infection. Otherwise, the visit will be canceled.

For additional information, please review the Department of Public Health’s visitation guidelines.

Sheriff’s Naloxone Custody Pilot Project saves Inmates from Overdose 150 150 SIB Staff

Sheriff’s Naloxone Custody Pilot Project saves Inmates from Overdose

Two inmates are alive today after being saved by two separate doses of Naloxone also known as Narcan, administered by fellow inmates. On Wednesday, May 26th, at approximately 5:37 pm, Deputies assigned to work the North County Correctional Facility (NCCF) were alerted of two inmates in medical distress. Deputies and custody medical staff immediately responded to the dorm and found two inmates on an upper-tier, unconscious, suffering from possible overdoses. However, this potential tragic outcome was averted by fellow inmates housed in the same dorm. 

At the direction of Sheriff Alex Villanueva, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department recently implemented a program in the custodial environment that provides inmates access to Narcan, a medication that, if administered quickly, can be highly effective in reversing an opioid overdose.  Inmates watch an instructional video on administering the medication during their Inmate Orientation program.

When Deputies arrived, the two unconscious inmates had just received a dose of Narcan, administered by fellow inmates. Minutes later, a third inmate began to complain of dizziness. All three inmates were treated by medical staff on scene and subsequently transported to a local hospital for further treatment. Hours later, they returned to their housing facility.

With opioid overdoses on the rise, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wants to ensure that inmate safety is of utmost priority. Currently, two Narcan doses are being distributed in each of the dorms at NCCF.   If the pilot program continues to save lives, the Department plans to expand this program to all custody facilities. 

Sheriff Discusses Organizational Change and Transparency 1024 512 SIB Staff

Sheriff Discusses Organizational Change and Transparency

On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva discussed the issue of “deputy cliques” and the steps he has taken to address the problem. Some politicians, their political appointees and the media have manipulated the deputy cliques’ narrative and it is important to separate perception from reality, and fiction from fact.

On his very first day as the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, he removed the Captain of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station, replaced the entire command staff and transferred 36 deputies to other stations. Despite the pandemic and the civil unrest from last year, the Kennedy Hall investigation was completed and 26 employees were disciplined including 4 that were terminated.

In February of last year, he became the first Sheriff in Los Angeles County to successfully implement a policy addressing the issue of “deputy cliques”. A cliques’ video was produced and distributed within the department, all personnel signed “attestation forms,” and mandatory briefings regarding cliques were implemented. Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored AB 958 legislation for Peace Officer Cliques with Assembly Member Mike Gipson. Last week, the “Duty to Cooperate” video was distributed within the department. This video includes numerous other policies which are in the approval stage. “All of these reforms will further strengthen transparency and accountability as we continue to change the organizational culture,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

In addition, the use of tattoos by members of the department was addressed. In 2014, Los Angeles County Counsel concluded that a department cannot ban something that is a constitutionally protected speech and tattoos are a form of speech protected by the First and Fourth Amendments.

Sheriff Villanueva also changed a practice which had been in effect for more than half a century; the department is now releasing the names of personnel involved in shootings within 30 days, unless a credible specific threat is present. Contrary to what the media or some politicians claim, many policies have been implemented in regards to deputy cliques so that the community can assess the work of the department, trust law enforcement and the continued strengthening of relationships. 

NOTE:  To view the video played during the press conference of nurses who got tattoos, please follow this link:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/abc7.com/amp/covid19-coronavirus-nurses-tattoos/9534955/

Picture of Rocket Safety Spokes dog interviewing Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Rocket is seated at a desk and the Sheriff is in a screen over rocket's shoulder. Rocket is an animated dog, with red fur
Sheriff Villanueva and Rocket Provide Tips on How to Stop Bullying 800 441 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva and Rocket Provide Tips on How to Stop Bullying

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Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Rocket Provide Children and Families Tips on How to Stop Bullying.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Rocket the Safety Spokesdog had a candid conversation on the topic of Bullying. Together they provided tips to children on how to stop bullying.

Watch Video of Rocket & Sheriff Alex Villanueva talks to kids about bullying – English

Bullying and Cyberbullying occurs in many forms, from verbal name-calling and teasing, to spreading rumors about someone, to physical intimidation or assault and finally cyberbullying. In this day and age, bullying is prevalent on the internet.

Sheriff Villanueva and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department take a stand against all types of bullying and would like to spread the word that bullying is wrong and we all need to work together to stop it from happening.

Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution! For more information, contact your local sheriff’s station or your local police.

For lots of resources on ways you can learn about Bullying and how to help stop it, click on the links below:

Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/stats.asp

StopBullying.gov

https://www.stopbullying.gov

The Cybersmile Foundation

https://www.cybersmile.org/advice-help/category/who-to-call

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

https://www.hhs.gov/…/healthy…/bullying/index.html

Español

El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y Rocket Dan Consejos a Niños y Familias para Parar el Acoso o Abuso entre Niños  

El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y Rocket tuvieron una amena conversación sobre el acoso o abuso entre niños. Ambos ofrecieron consejos para que los niños sepan cómo frenar el acoso.

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El abuso y acoso por las redes ocurre de diferentes formas, desde apodos feos y provocaciones, hasta difundir rumores acerca de alguien, intimidación o golpes y finalmente acoso por las redes. Hoy en día, el acoso por internet es muy común.   

El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y el Departamento del Alguacil del Condado de Los Angeles están en contra de cualquier forma de acoso o abuso y quieren correr la voz y hacerles saber que el abuso no está bien y todos debemos trabajar juntos para que no suceda.   

No seas parte del problema, ¡sé parte de la solución! Para más información comunícate con tu estación del alguacil o policía local.  

Los siguientes enlaces contienen información para aprender más sobre el abuso o acoso y recursos para ayudar a frenarlo.    

Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center 

https://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/stats.asp

StopBullying.gov  

https://www.stopbullying.gov

The Cybersmile Foundation 

https://www.cybersmile.org/advice-help/category/who-to-call

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 

https://www.hhs.gov/…/healthy…/bullying/index.html

Family standing in front of memoral wall, small tree is being planted, Sheriff Alex Villanueva is holding a shoval.
The American Legion Star Post 309 Honors Retired LASD Commander, Thomas Vetter 1024 768 SIB Staff

The American Legion Star Post 309 Honors Retired LASD Commander, Thomas Vetter

The Tree Planting Ceremony was first introduced in the 1930s as an Arbor Day Project by the American Legion Star Post 309. The Ceremony was later changed to a Memorial Day commemoration.  It is one of the longest continuing observance of its kind in Los Angeles County, suspended only during World War II.

image of vetter next to two marines inside of a heliocoptor. Vintage black and white image.
vintage image of Vetter in unifom stading infront of soldier color guard holding flags.

This year the Star Post 309 celebrated the life achievements of one of their very own Past Commanders, Thomas Vetter who retired as an LASD Commander and served as Star Post Commander in 1966. His End of Watch was January 16, 2021.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Star Post 309 was founded by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies who were also World War I veterans. One of the founders was William I. Traeger who served as the 26th Sheriff of Los Angeles County.

vintage black and white photo of 10 men in stuits with legion cover hats on. Posing shoulder to shoulder infront of a wall sized american flag.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva standing infront of the Star Post 309 Memorial wal giving a speech infront of a crowd.

In later years, memorial plaques were added to the newly planted trees in commemoration of Past Commanders and Worthy Members of Star Post 309.  Trees were planted as a permanent and living memorial to the military veterans of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, and other notable law enforcement officers in the State of California.

During this month of May, we celebrate the lives and memories of those who have died in the line of duty as law enforcement officers and as Memorial Day is upon us, we shall honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice of service to our great Nation.  #MilitaryAppreciationMonth

Image of Sheriff Alex Villanueva giving speach infront of the Star Post Memorial wall at a podium between the american flag and the American Legion flag.
head shot of suspect in this case, Dandre Lorenz Powell: male, very short hair, White hear plug earings, tatoo over right eye, tatoos on neck.suspect is wearing black hooded sweatshirt.
Information Wanted – Ride Share Driver Assault 791 1024 SIB Staff

Information Wanted – Ride Share Driver Assault

Information Wanted – Ride Share Driver Assault

On Thursday, May 20, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Temple Station Captain Mark Reyes, Detective Sergeant Richard Lewis, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department; Frankie Sanchez, US Marshalls Service; and South El Monte Mayor Gloria Olmos, announced the arrest of the individual responsible for the brutal assault of an elderly Asian rideshare driver. 

On Monday, May 10, 2021, at approximately 9:20 p.m. a gunman slid into the backseat of an elderly Asian ride share driver as he waited for his next ride at a gas station near the intersection of Rosemead Boulevard and Rush Street in South El Monte. The driver was struck in the face multiple times with a gun and robbed of more than $1,500 in cash. The victim suffered severe facial trauma and received medical treatment. 

Since the attack was caught on dash cam video and was circulated widely on news outlets and social media, the public called in with information and made anonymous reports. Crime analysts began working on the case and identified the suspect. Within five days of learning of the crime, through a collaborative effort with the US Marshalls Service, 26 year-old Dandre Lorenz Powell, a resident of Downey, was arrested on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in the city of Paramount.

“A dangerous individual has been captured and taken off the streets. He has an extensive criminal history, is known to law enforcement and is currently on probation,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

If you have information about this senseless attack, or any other incidents involving the suspect, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station at (626) 292-3300.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

Picture of Sheriff Villanueva in uniform stading infront of the LASD Memorial Wall addressing the camera.
Sheriff’s Message – Duty to Cooperate 900 545 SIB Staff

Sheriff’s Message – Duty to Cooperate

Sheriff’s Message – Duty To Cooperate

Transparency, accountability, and service to others are the foundations of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. As peace officers, we have to preserve personal credibility, integrity and not bring discredit to the profession while serving our communities both on and off duty. If any Department member has information alleging misconduct or wrongdoing by other Department members, it is their duty to report the information to a supervisor immediately. A failure to do so is a violation of policy. It goes against our core values and mission. If someone has knowledge of another department member’s involvement in such behavior and does not immediately report it, they are also liable and treated as such. Any department member who is subjected to or witnesses harassment or a violation of department policy or law may report the matter to:

· The sheriff33.lasd.org website  

· Report anonymously to 1-800-698-TALK  

· Any department supervisor or manager  

· Your respective union or bargaining unit  

· The Intake Specialist Unit  

· California Department of Fair Employment and Housing  

· Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission   

· Los Angeles County Equity Oversight Panel  

· Office of the Inspector General