Lieutenant Marc Lucio promoted to Captainhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lucio.png734920SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(Metro) has selected Marc A. Lucio to lead Transit Services Bureau (TSB).
TSB is the bureau tasked with providing police services to Metro buses, trains,
and properties, throughout Los Angeles County.
Captain Lucio began his law enforcement career in 1992 as a
reserve deputy assigned to Pico Rivera Station (PRV). He graduated from
the Academy in 1995 and served as a deputy at Men’s Central Jail, PRV, and
Operation Safe Streets Bureau (OSS).
In 2006, Captain Lucio promoted to sergeant and was assigned
to East Los Angeles Station, Court Services East Bureau, PRV and OSS before
promoting to lieutenant in 2012.
As a lieutenant, Captain Lucio’s first assignment was TSB,
where he was a watch commander, service area lieutenant, and the operations
lieutenant. During his time as a lieutenant, he also worked at
Compton Station, Emergency Operations Bureau as the Tactical Planning
Lieutenant, Aero Bureau as the operations lieutenant, and most recently, as the
Division Aide at Special Operations Division.
Captain Lucio has always been connected to his community and
in 2018, was elected to the City Council in the City of Chino. He
currently serves on several city boards and committees.
Captain Lucio has a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from
the University of La Verne and a master’s degree in Leadership from the
University of Southern California. He is married to his wife Sandra, who
is a lieutenant on the Sheriff’s Department and together they have a blended
family of six children. In his off-duty time, Captain Lucio enjoys
spending time with his family, working out, and serving his community.
Captain Lucio is among several captains to be promoted under
Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s new captain selection process, which in this case,
involved a panel of Metro Executives. Once all of the finalists were
interviewed, the panel chair made a recommendation to the Sheriff, who made the
final decision in appointing a captain.
The Sheriff’s
Transit Services Bureau is currently the fifth largest transit law enforcement
agency in the country. This bureau has been part of Los Angeles County
transit policing since 1990.
Approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations Center Projecthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/EVOC-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff
Alex Villanueva Announces Approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations
Center Project by the Board of
Supervisors
The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday,
February 4, unanimously approved funding for the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle
Operations Center (EVOC) project. The future facility will be utilized to train
entry-level and in-service Department personnel in basic and advanced vehicle
handling dynamics, and evasive driving tactics. The proposed project would
utilize several parcels at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center located at
29310 The Old Road, Castaic, California.
The $15,500,000 project will consist of, but
not be limited to, a vehicle driving/training track, skid pan, new modular
office/locker rooms, collision avoidance and pursuit track, track
appurtenances, paved parking area, bioswales, landscaping, and relocation of
Southern California Edison and various facility power poles. The overall site
area for the proposed EVOC is approximately 44.5 acres.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(LASD) currently operates an emergency vehicle operations center at the Pomona
Fairgrounds. LASD has used the existing facility on the fairground property for
more than 35 years to provide training in emergency vehicle operations to
deputy sheriff trainees and police officers enrolled in LASD’s Academy, in
addition to ongoing vehicle operations training for LASD staff.
The current arrangement between LASD and the
Fair Association requires the EVOC office to cease operations for approximately
two to three months per year for major events, such as the LA County Fair and
National Hot Rod Association. These disruptions to the EVOC training schedule
limit the number of training days available to LASD and created challenges with
meeting LASD’s mandatory training requirements.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for today’s approval of the Pitchess Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC). The future EVOC will provide deputies with the necessary skills and knowledge to operate vehicles in emergencies while mitigating the many risks associated with the practice,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. “The Safety of the public and the effectiveness of our personnel is of paramount importance for us. This facility will assist the Sheriff’s Department in improving law enforcement’s driving capabilities and community safety,” he added.
Sheriff Villanueva and
the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force Announce Arrests and
Rescues by California Law Enforcement
During Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild
In
conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Sheriff Alex Villanueva
announced details and results from the sixth annual Operation Reclaim and
Rebuild enforcement operation, conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Human
Trafficking Task Force and 70 participating federal, state and local law
enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California. The weeklong, statewide effort aimed at
combatting human trafficking took place between Sunday, January 26, and
Saturday, February 1, 2020, and was conducted in various mediums and met with
positive results.
The
press conference was held Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at the iconic Hall of
Justice in downtown Los Angeles. Sheriff
Alex Villanueva was joined by executives and representatives from the Los
Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation, California Highway Patrol, California Department of
Justice, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) , San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department, Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force,
Homeland Security Investigations, Journey Out, Los Angeles County Department of
Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Probation Department, Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles
School Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Concord Police Department,
San Gabriel Police Department, Saving Innocence, and Zoe International.
Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human
trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, identifying and
arresting their captors, seeking successful prosecutions, and disrupting the
demand for vulnerable victims by targeting their customers. Police agencies and other trafficking task
forces throughout our state joined in the enforcement operation to send the
clear message that California law enforcement shares a unified mandate: Human trafficking must not be tolerated in
our state!
In
preparation for the event, an operational planning meeting took place in Los
Angeles, with over 200 federal, state and municipal law enforcement detectives
from all over California in attendance.
Investigators focused enforcement operations wherever the trafficking of
human beings took place, from confronting the reality of sidewalk prostitution
by conducting demand operations, to challenging the virtual reality of the
cyber world where traffickers believe they can operate anonymously using the
internet.
The
internet furnishes a vast variety of opportunities for traffickers, but with
the experience of specially-trained cyber detectives who posed as vulnerable
teenagers and interacted with suspects on social media, traffickers and
customers who were anxious to exploit found their plans foiled.
Victims
encountered during enforcement efforts were cared for by personnel from various
Department of Children and Family Services Agencies and victim service
providers in each county. In Los Angeles
County, CAST, Saving Innocence, Zoe International, and Journey Out coordinated
the emergency services response for victim care and collaborated with similar,
non-governmental victim service organizations throughout the state.
Operation
Reclaim and Rebuild was widely successful in its endeavor with 76 adult and 11
minor victims being recovered; 266 males arrested for the charge of
Solicitation; and 27 suspected traffickers and exploiters were arrested. In total, 518 arrests were made.
Sheriff Villanueva relayed the mission, efforts
and results of Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, and gave a firm direction to the victims: “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
and our partners stand with each victim of this heinous crime. You are the focus of this endeavor. We are here for you. We are here to help you reclaim your freedom
from the binds of sex trafficking, and to provide you the support and tools to
rebuildyour lives.
“To the traffickers and
solicitors: We will not tolerate the
enslavement and trafficking of others in any form. We will seek you out and prosecute you to the
fullest extent of the law.
“To the
Johns: Purchasing commercial sex is
illegal and buying sex adds to the exploitation of those involved,” he said
poignantly.
Captain
Michael Hannemann, who oversaw the coordinated effort, defined the
undertaking. “Operation Reclaim and
Rebuild is a state-wide operation which displays the mutual commitment of
California law enforcement, social service agencies, and victim service
providers in the fight to end sex trafficking,” he said. “The L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task
Force is an example of how individual entities can be far more effective, when
they join together in a shared mission.
Today, 11 children have been rescued from their exploiters and 76 women
have been connected with the services necessary to rebuild their lives, free
from exploitation.”
“As a
task force, we are continuing to find cutting-edge approaches to serving
survivors that prioritize their rights, secure their safety, and provide access
to services – while holding traffickers accountable,” said CAST CEO and
Executive Director Kay Buck. “I want to
thank all of the amazing community leaders that are a part of the task force
for being stewards of our shared community values and our evolving national
model.”
Deputy
Chief Kris Pitcher, Los Angeles Police Department, shared four cases which came
as a result of Human Trafficking Taskforce operations and daily operations. He attributed them to the collaborative work
between organizations and non-governmental resource providers which come
alongside to lift victims, “…out of their issues, provide them life-saving skills,
life-building skills, and ultimately…prosecute those vicious criminals who prey
upon them.”
“Human trafficking amounts to nothing less than modern day slavery
and has no place in our society,” said
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra in a statement.“It’s
up to us to take on criminals who profit from forced labor and sexual
exploitation of vulnerable Californians. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is a
testament to what can be accomplished to support survivors and combat
trafficking in our state.”
Sheriff and Undersheriff attend Golden Dragon Paradehttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/i-BDs7Gnv-X2-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
SHERIFF AND UNDERSHERIFF ATTEND GOLDEN DRAGON PARADE
Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year for
the Asian-American Community, and the celebration traditionally lasts about 15
days, starting with lighting piles of firecrackers and concluding with the
lantern festival.
Since
the mid-80s, Golden Dragon Parade has become an icon of the Chinese culture and
brings a rich and diverse experience for all ethnicities. Presented by the
Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles to celebrate the year of Rat, this
year’s parade was highlighted by the queen of the parade, marching bands,
various cultural dancers and the traditional performance of the dragon and lion
dance.
Sheriff
Villanueva and Undersheriff Murakami proudly represented the Los Angeles County
Sheriff’s Department during the parade. They walked along Board of Supervisors
Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis. LAPD Chief Moore was also in attendance.
Sheriff Villanueva said “this celebration is a wonderful way to ring in
the Lunar New Year. It celebrates the accomplishments in all our lives.
We at the LASD have accomplished a lot in the year of 2019. We will
continue to work hard with our communities and keep the success moving forward
in 2020.”
Sheriff Villanueva Addresses the Board of Supervisors 01/28/20https://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SheriffBOS012920.jpg701303SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4483a3d8479236e0bb61cda938f4f11de225b06c311c4e91c6a6948aba088210?s=96&d=blank&r=g
SHERIFF VILLANUEVA ADDRESSES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, JANUARY 28, 2020
On Tuesday, January 28, 2020,
Sheriff Alex Villanueva spoke at the Board of Supervisor’s Meeting to inform
the Board and attendees about the directive he has given to the Department to
continue building trust with the community, a directive on data transparency.
Sheriff Villanueva reminded those present that he campaigned on a promise of
transparency, and the Department is taking steps to deliver his promise.
Sheriff Villanueva added
everything not legally restricted will be made available on the Department’s
website, LASD.org, including information regarding deputy-involved shootings,
Department reports, videos of incidents, as well as other types of
documentation. Information protected by law, which includes personnel records,
ongoing criminal and administrative investigations, victims, and witnesses of
particular crimes such as sexually related crimes, domestic violence crimes,
will remain private and offline.
Sheriff Villanueva pointed out
that although this process will be labor and time-intensive, it has already
started, and people can visit LASD.org and begin to see the data being
released. He added he looks forward to working the Board of Supervisors to
secure funding for the servers and other infrastructure needed to accomplish this
step toward transparency.
Sheriff Villanueva further stated he firmly believes transparency will build trust within the communities the Sheriff’s Department serves.
UnderSheriff Murakami attended Lunar New Year Celebrationhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_0746-1024x768.jpg1024768SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
UNDERSHERIFF MURAKAMI ATTENDED LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT HIS LAI TEMPLE
With the beating of the gongs and drums, the Lunar New
Year’s celebration was carried out by the joyful lions dance at Hsi Lai Temple.
Decorated with red and gold, which symbolized happiness and fortune, the temple
was filled with hope, joy and energy.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Undersheriff Timothy Murakami, along with the Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger, Janice Hahn, State Senator Ling Ling Chang and other leaders from the county participated the celebration.
On behalf of the Sheriff, Undersheriff Murakami presented
the certificate of appreciation to Venerable Hui Dong in honor of his devotion
to the community.
Undersheriff Murakami expressed that LASD will always work
with the people and the community because that is the key to success.
We at LASD would like to wish everyone a happy and
prosperous Lunar New Year 2020!
Saugus High Students, LASD, AND First Responders meet/greet members of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Two months after the tragic and deadly shooting at Saugus
High School, players from the L.A. Dodgers Surprised Saugus High School
Students during one of their campus pep rallies Friday morning.
Students were in awe as they had the chance to meet and
play games with some of the players. While others were getting jerseys signed
by the athletes. Players like, Austin Barnes, Matt Beaty, Walker Buehler, Caleb
Ferguson, Dylan, Floro, Kyle Garlick, Tony Gonsolin, Adam Kolarek, Gavin Lux,
Dustin May, Zach McKinstry, Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Jimmy Nelson offered
words of encouragement and support for students.
As part of the “Dodgers Love LA Community Tour”, a
week-long engagement where the Los Angeles Dodger players, alumni and employees
partner with community based organizations to help promote and support work
that positively changes the lives of children, teens, and adults, Dodger
players focused on showing gratitude to Santa Clarita Valley Station Deputies,
first responders, other law enforcement agencies and military servicemen who
came to assist the students at Saugus High School.
After the rally at Saugus High, players visited Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s
Station and had lunch with Sheriff Alex Villanueva and station personnel.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said “I want to thank the LA Dodgers and their
organization for offering support to our personnel, and the students of this
community. This team is an integral part of LA County, we all root and
support them during their season. And it was wonderful to see them come
up here and show support for all of us in the Santa Clarita Valley that were
affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Operation safe streets detectives arrest ROBBERY SUSPECT in chatsworth
On Friday, January 24, 2020, at approximately 4:00 AM, Los Angeles County Sheriff Operation Safe Streets detectives served a search warrant this morning in the 22000 block of Zaltana Street in Chatsworth in the furtherance of an on-going criminal investigation.
Twenty nine year old Keenon Jackson, otherwise known as “YG”, a resident at the home, was taken into custody at the time of the service pursuant to an arrest warrant. He was transported to Men’s Central Jail where he was booked for robbery.
Jackson’s arraignment is set for Tuesday, January 28, 2020 in Compton Court. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail.
There is no additional information available at this time.
LA Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), using your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Law enforcement personnel are often the first contact with those experiencing homelessness. For that reason LASD HOST was created to exemplify the county’s efforts to combat homelessness and preserve public safety. HOST’s mission is to positively impact the homeless crisis in the county while increasing public safety and preserving the rights and dignity of persons experiencing homelessness.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said “Over the past three evenings, LASD personnel escorted volunteers throughout the county of for Homeless Count 2020. Homelessness is a complex issue for the County. These residents struggle with poverty, some struggle with mental illness. Unfortunately, our younger adults are more vulnerable. Young People who lack stable housing are at a higher risk of being trafficked and more likely to experience substance use and depression.
By conducting these counts with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and forming collaborations with service providers, LASD’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) continues to assist those experiencing homelessness throughout the County. Los Angeles County has established subsidies to support our most vulnerable residents, and it has proven affordable and effective. The County is redoubling efforts to combat this issue, and as part of the county family, the Sheriff’s Department is as well.
It is my goal to increase the number of Department personnel assigned to the LASD’ HOST three-fold to help people get on their feet and off the streets. By providing compassion and access to services, we can help those in need and keep them out of our jail system.”
Through our contacts with thousands of homeless neighbors, HOST has earned a reputation for being compassionate, accountable, innovative, and bold. HOST has transcended the role of traditional law enforcement. For years, HOST has accomplished the mission with zero uses of force.
Sheriff Villanueva walked with volunteers in the city of East Los Angeles to see the growing homeless crises and in need of shelter.Sheriff Alex Villanueva said "Over the past three evenings Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department personnel escorted volunteers for #HomelessCount2020. By conducting counts with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, & forming collaborations with service providers, the LASD Homeless Outreach Services Team continues to assist those experiencing homelessness in County of Los Angeles."To read more, please visit: https://sheriff33.lasd.org/homeless-count-2020/ Video courtesy of KTLA 5 News:
Sheriff Villanueva Hosts First Media Briefing Event of 2020
Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s monthly media briefing on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, took place at the Hall of Justice. It included lots of good news, as well as a glimpse at happier times in the life of a partner recently lost.
The topic of promotions kicked-off the event, in which the Sheriff announced that, for the first time in our agency’s 170-year history, the majority of promotions were received by females and minorities. Since the beginning of his tenure, 276 sworn personnel were promoted to the rank of sergeant or higher; 41% of them were Latino, 36% were Caucasian, 18% were female, 15% were Black, and 4.5% were Asian.
A recent mumps outbreak at Men’s Central Jail was efficiently handled and quickly combatted by medical personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, who manage the health of our jail population. In recognition of their efforts, Commander Jason Wolak, who oversees Custody Services Division-General Population, outlined the efforts made by the medical professionals and line staff. Working together, they were able educate and inform the inmate population, and thus gain their cooperation, which resulted in 3,400 men being willingly vaccinated, as well as 1,100 staff. In gratitude and recognition of their collaboration and contribution to successfully halt the outbreak, Sheriff Villanueva presented formal, written documents of recognition, called scrolls, to 11 medical professionals present at the event.
Sheriff Villanueva addressed the successes of the Homeless Outreach Services Team, known as HOST, which is participating in current census efforts to include a number count of those experiencing homelessness. Sergeant Bill Kitchin, one of the team’s supervisors, explained the mission of HOST is to “positively impact the homeless crisis in the county, while increasing public safety and preserving the rights and dignity of persons experiencing homelessness.” Through their encounters with thousands of our homeless neighbors, they earned the reputation of being compassionate, accountable, innovative, and bold. Their unique approach to combat homelessness is a very nontraditional role for law enforcement. Because of it, successful relationships are formed; this allows them to connect those in need with people and services, and preserve public safety.
The media event closed somberly with the remembrance of Deputy Amber Leist. Her loss occurred in the act of service for a stranger in need. After coming to the aid of an elderly pedestrian who fell while crossing a Los Angeles City street, Amber was struck by a vehicle and fatally wounded. She died Sunday morning, January 12, 2020.
