LASDHQ

LASD Metrolink Bureau Spreads Holiday Cheer To Its Patrons 720 959 SIB Staff

LASD Metrolink Bureau Spreads Holiday Cheer To Its Patrons

LASD METROLINK BUREAU SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER TO ITS PATRONS

#LASD Metrolink Bureau and Metrolink team up to bring the holiday cheer with the transit community.

Captain Ed Wells of Metrolink Bureau and Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins join in on the fun by greeting all riders at this years Holiday Express Train at the Laguna Niguel Station. Toy donations were collected and give-always and holiday cheer were shared by all.

Thank you to all who participated, donated toys and their time. #CommunityInvolvement

CRDF Inmates
Sheriff Villanueva Spreads Holiday Cheer at Women’s Jail 1024 798 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva Spreads Holiday Cheer at Women’s Jail

SHERIFF VILLANUEVA SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER AT WOMEN’S JAIL

Holidays are typically a time to spend with family and friends, so for inmates away from their families, a temporary or permanent absence in the lives of their loved ones can magnify a difficult time, both physically and emotionally.

Yes, maybe they’ve done something they shouldn’t have done. But that should not allow us to forget the spirit of the season, where we open our hearts to one another. It’s a lesson in doing the right thing, for the right reason; about sharing acts of kindness and thoughtfulness with others to lift their spirits.

In choosing to be forgiving and compassionate, LASD Sheriff Alex Villanueva invited Mariachi to not only surprise the inmates, but also to remind them that they are not forgotten.

As Mariachi music is often present at important events and celebrations in the lives of Latino people, this beloved music has transcended language, geography and politics and brought people together.

Not only has music always given a voice to the lost and forgotten, for many it has evolved into a sort of soundtrack full of thoughts that turn into emotion. These acoustic harmonies show the power of music to heal.

Sheriff Villanueva’s Mariachi at CRDF, a women’s jail, is about the humanity behind a jail cell. “Every person is worthy and deserves respect as a human being,” said Sheriff Villanueva. “Just because they are here in jail does not mean they stop being human, or they stop feeling or stop thinking about their family members. We all have to think about loved ones that are inside the jails and in the hospitals on this Christmas day. It’s very important.”

For the staff at CRDF and first responders in general, working all if not most of the holidays is part of the job. Deputies and staff assigned to CRDF and scheduled to work during the holidays will miss family events. Although deputies will typically celebrate together by bringing in a dish, oftentimes those meals will be interrupted.

Sheriff Villanueva’s hope is that Mariachi fans among the deputies and staff at CRDF will become enchanted by the sounds of the guitars, trumpets and violins, uplifting their spirits in appreciation of their commitment and dedication in service to others.

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Sustainability Team 600 128 SIB Staff

Sustainability Team

LASD Sustainability Team

In 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors established the Chief Sustainability Office to make Los Angeles communities “healthier, more equitable, economically stronger, more resilient, and more sustainable.” As of August of this year, the Our County Sustainability Plan was implemented. This plan will have tremendous impacts throughout the county. As a result, the Sheriff’s Department has created the LASD Sustainability Team. The Sustainability Team’s goal is to meet the targets of the County’s plan; most notably, Goal 9 which encourages sustainable production and consumption of resources. With this plan we hope to make our stations and custody facilities more sustainable and more resilient, hopefully making a stronger impact on our environment.

Community Beach Cleanup – December 14, 2019 from 10:00 am- 1:00 pm at Topanga State Beach. To sign up, please use this link

Sheriff Villanueva holds Press Conference about school shooting threat 1024 512 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva holds Press Conference about school shooting threat

SHERIFF VILLANUEVA HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT SCHOOL SHOOTING THREAT

On Thursday November 21, 2019, LASD Century Station personnel responded to a school shooting threat against students at Animo Mae Jemison Charter Middle School.  The threat alleged a student was going to shoot other students at the school on Friday, November 22, 2019.  Multiple students overheard the threat and immediately told their teachers.  The teachers immediately emailed the school administration, who then called the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Century Station. 

Deputies immediately initiated an investigation and conducted interviews to gather more information.  The investigation led them to the subject, a 13 year old male, who allegedly made the threat.  Through investigative methods, the subject’s address was located and search warrants were authored for the residence.  During the execution of the warrant, a rifle with a high capacity magazine was seized along with ammunition.  The subject had in his possession a rudimentary hand drawn map of the school, as well as a list containing names. Additionally, a 19 year old male suspect, who is a relative of the subject, was arrested for possession of an unregistered firearm and is being held on $35,000 bail.

The Sheriff encourages Los Angeles County residents that if that if they see or hear something to say something. We have Detectives from local station who are working with School Resource Officers, Crime Analysts as well our Major Crimes Bureau Detectives who monitor the web on a constant bases to ensure the safety and security of all of our schools.  We take all threats against schools in our jurisdiction very seriously.  In these unpredictable situations, preparation is key. Please visit our page and watch our videos at www.activeshooter.sheriff33.lasd.org. 

Link to Press Conference:  


sandbags in flood waters
flood watch 1024 1024 SIB Staff

flood watch

FLOOD WATCH

It’s a familiar sequence of disasters for Californians, after the vegetation has burned from the hillside, rainy weather has the potential to trigger mud and debris flow into areas already impacted natural disaster. This scenario could happen again in areas impacted by the Tick and Getty fires.

We ask those affected by recent fires to be diligent, check for status updates and if necessary, and be prepared to evacuate immediately.

It is imperative that residents in previously fire-burned areas are prepared in case of an emergency.

Here are some ideas to keep in mind before the next big storm.

•     Check with your local Fire station for free sandbags. For more information visit: https://pw.lacounty.gov/dsg/sandbags/

•     Prepare a “Go Bag” that includes a flashlight, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets, warm clothing, first aid kit, cash, important documents, and other items you might need for at least three days.

•     Provide for the needs of your pets.

•     Stay home if you really don’t need to be outside.

•     Use extreme caution you are using local roads and slow down for debris in the street.

•     Treat all non-working traffic signal lights at intersections as stop signs.

•     Stay away from downed power lines and report them to your local authorities.

For more information about emergency preparedness, please visit:

Emergency

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Saugus High School Shooting 800 170 SIB Staff

Saugus High School Shooting

Homicide Investigating Saugus High School Shooting

At 7:38 AM, Santa Clarita Station received a call about an Assault with a Deadly Weapon at 21900 Centurion Way in Santa Clarita at Saugus High School. Santa Clarita deputies arrived within 2 minutes and realized it was an Active Shooter situation.

Deputies conducted a rapid deployment onto the school’s premises. Upon their arrival, they discovered 6 students in the quad area suffering from gunshot wounds. The students were triaged and sent to local area hospitals. The suspect was identified as one of students found in the quad. He is identified as a 16 year old male Asian, whose birthday was today.

The weapon recovered on scene was a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, which no longer contained ammunition. The suspect is a resident of the 22900 block of Sycamore Creek Street Drive in Santa Clarita. That location was contained by Sheriff Deputies and a cursory search was conducted to identify any additional victims or suspects. A search warrant for the location was obtained by investigators to process the residence further evidence.

Homicide teams were deployed to several Santa Clarita Valley locations to process evidence and interview witnesses. Students who were possible witnesses to the incident are being interviewed by detectives from the LASD Homicide Bureau. We also have investigators working with the tech crews processing any videos we may receive from the surveillance system at the high school. We’re working and collaborating with the FBI to preserve and capture any cell phone video of this incident.

Detectives have reviewed the video at the scene, which shows the subject in the quad area remove a firearm from his backpack. He then shoots 5 people, and then shoots himself. The suspect is in critical condition at a local hospital. Unfortunately, a 16 year old female victim passed away at 9:23 AM and a male victim passed away at 11:31 AM. Three additional victims, one 15 year old female and one 14 year old female, and one male who is 14 years old are in stable condition at a local hospitals. This is preliminary information.

A social media account has been reported as possibly belonging to the suspect. The social media account stated, “Saugus have fun at school tomorrow.” However, the account has yet to be authenticated and it is unknown if this was posted by the suspect. Detectives have checked recent threats to the high school and have investigated two, but neither had a nexus to this incident. The investigation is on-going and anybody with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call the Los Angeles County Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
LASD Forensic Unit Forensic Artist Sandra Enslow 800 170 SIB Staff

LASD Forensic Unit Forensic Artist Sandra Enslow

LASD FORENSIC UNIT FORENSIC ARTIST SANDRA ENSLOW

Forensic Unit Forensics Artist Sandra Enslow

“My father was a cartoonist and I am a cartoonist (first, foremost and always). Cartooning and forensic art have many similarities – to work quickly, capture a likeness, make decisions and develop an image…

The Department’s Forensics Unit was established 63 years ago in 1956, one of the longest established forensic units in the nation. Lead Forensic Artist Ms. Sandra Enslow has been with the unit for over 27 years, she is an expert witness and a Fellow with the American Academy Sciences. Sandra Enslow has assisted with many cases including the Trinity Love Jones, Phil Spector and Michael Gargiulo case.

Ms. Enslow describes her job as the most rewarding job she has ever had. As a forensic artist she is able to assist victims, witnesses, survivors, family members, detectives and overall communities.

Chief Haselrig at CSUDH 800 600 SIB Staff

Chief Haselrig at CSUDH

CHIEF HASELRIG AT CSUDH

Chief Lajuana Haselrig spoke to Criminal Justice classes at CSUDH yesterday and today. Sgt Vince Plair is an adjunct Professor at the school. Outstanding talk about leadership adversity and being a servant to others. 

LASD Inmate Visiting at MEN’S CENTRAL JAIL Impacted by mumps 300 300 SIB Staff

LASD Inmate Visiting at MEN’S CENTRAL JAIL Impacted by mumps

LASD INMATE VISITING AT MEN’S CENTRAL JAIL IMPACTED BY MUMPS

Inmate visiting will continue to be impacted at Men’s Central Jail due to several inmates being diagnosed with the mumps virus.  Currently, numerous inmates are quarantined and being monitored by medical personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services-Correctional Health Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. 
 
On Tuesday, October 22, 2019, several inmates began exhibiting signs of influenza, as well as having inflamed parotid glands.  Correctional Health Services began monitoring the housing and diagnosed the inmates’ symptoms as those infected with the mumps virus.
 
As of Wednesday, October 30, 2019, 18 inmates have tested positive for mumps and others were quarantined based on their proximity to the infected inmates.  Those displaying symptoms are being monitored by Correctional Health Services.  The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination has been offered to all inmates in the affected areas.  Sworn and civilian staff members assigned to Men’s Central Jail were also vaccinated as a preventative measure and three Department members are under medical observation.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Correctional Health Services and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have been diligently working to minimize the spread and identify any other persons who may have been infected by the virus.  The inmates who have been confirmed with the mumps virus, have been re-housed in the medical ward of the jail.
 
Sworn and civilian staff members working with the quarantined population have been provided with protective facial masks which cover the nose and mouth.  Inmates in the affected areas have also been provided with facial masks.  Quarantine and monitoring procedures will remain in place until Correctional Health Services determines it is safe to return to normal operations.  Vaccinations will continue to be offered to all inmates and staff as needed. 

Inmates who are scheduled to be released from custody will not be impacted; however, those housed in quarantined areas will go through a release protocol monitored by the Department of Public Health.  The Department of Public Health will additionally monitor them after their release from custody.  

The Department is working with the Superior Court of California-County of Los Angeles to minimize the impact on court proceedings for those who are quarantined.  Inmates still have access to contact their attorneys.

To identify if your loved one is housed in a quarantined area, please visit the www.sheriff33.lasd.org and schedule a visit with your loved one.  If a pop-up message is displayed that your loved one is in an affected area, he/she is under observation (quarantine) until further notice. 

Correctional Health Services currently expects the quarantine protocols to be concluded by December 1, 2019; however, this date may be extended, or shortened, if conditions change. 

—— Information about Mumps ——

According to the Department of Public Health, mumps is a contagious disease caused by a virus.  The virus is spread through respiratory droplets dispersed within a three-foot radius.  Symptoms usually occur 16 to 25 days after exposure and include swollen glands, fever, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue.  Immunity to the mumps vaccine wanes over time, therefore, some people may still be vulnerable to contracting the virus, especially in closely-contained areas.
 
The best protection is prevention.  The MMR vaccine is quite effective in decreasing the likelihood of getting the virus.  If members of the public have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with the mumps, it is recommended they get a booster of the MMR vaccine.


For more information on the mumps virus, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ip/VPD_mumps.htm

graphic of The great shakeout event
The Great Shakeout 900 900 SIB Staff

The Great Shakeout

THE GREAT SHAKEOUT

300 miles away, on October 15, 2019, a 4.8 mag #earthquake hit Northern California. Now is the perfect time to prepare & participate in the #InternationalShakeOut drill on Oct 17th! Don’t wait until it’s too late! Join #LASD and register at https://shakeout.org