Sheriff addresses Several Areas of Public Interesthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/i-qpSgwQh-X4-1-1024x512.jpg1024512SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva Addresses Several Areas of Current Public Interest
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to address several areas of current public interest.
In his opening statement, Sheriff Villanueva talked about CSULA conducting an independent analysis. The study includes examining the organizational structure, policies, and procedures that govern LASD’s response to deputy misconduct between January 1, 2012, and July 31, 2022. The outcome of this analysis resulted in 48 complaints per month; on average timeline from allegation to disposition was 144 days. “Misconduct is an individual behavior and occurs independent of tattoo status. Rather cases involving the presence of a tattoo and allegations of misconduct are coincidental,” according to the people who conducted the analysis.
He also discussed the lawsuits brought by Austreberto Gonzalez, the Estate of Paul Rea, and Robin Limon, which have fallen apart due to false narratives and lack of evidence. The lawsuits filed were all driven by a failed sheriff’s candidate recruiting department members to sue and became a very elaborate campaign strategy.
The sheriff displayed the letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding Office of Inspector General, Max Huntsman to correct the record based on what he said and what he did. However, the BOS refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing by Huntsman. He explains that the Board of Supervisors portrayed the sheriff through narrative as being insubordinate against the BOS and created an elaborate system to give a negative impression to the public about the sheriff himself even though all the information was provided to them based on what they were legally entitled. Yet when it came time for Max Huntsman to testify, his testimony was secretive. Huntsman’s testimony took place behind closed doors, where he recanted everything said in public, including the identification of gang members.
He continued to show how the District Attorney was holding off releasing the results of high-profile cases of Anthony Weber, Andres Guardado, Enzo Escalante, and Dijon Kizzee, of which three were found to be justifiable, and one declined to file charges. Yet, the results were not released because of political purposes.
During his four years in office, he faced complex challenges, from the Bobcat Fire to a worldwide pandemic, from protests and riots to the homeless crisis, to name a few of the constant challenges (See material used during the press conference). Yet with the challenges the sheriff faced, many accomplishments were achieved: ICE was removed from jails, SCAAP Grant Funding rejected, and CCW’s attainable (See material used during the press conference).
Sheriff Villanueva wished the incoming sheriff Robert Luna well on his new endeavor. The safety of the community depends on him as well as the welfare of every member of the department.
Sheriff Villanueva thanks every department member for their hard work and dedication. “They are true heroes.” He continues to thank the media for doing what they can, having patience when reporting the information, and being the voice of democracy that will survive.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is a voluntary Association. People are not forced to be deputy sheriffs; you have to want to be a deputy sheriff. People have faith in the leadership and the work ethic of this organization.”-Sheriff Villanueva.
Sheriff Villanueva Discusses Results of High-Profile Cases Suppressed by the DAhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_1397-1024x679.jpg1024679SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Thursday, November 3, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss the results of four high-profile cases that were suppressed by the Office of the District Attorney (DA). The cases are: Anthony Weber, Andres Guardado, Dijon Kizzee, and Enzo Escalante.
Sheriff Villanueva said whistleblowers from the District’s Attorney’s Office provided Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) with “disturbing and disappointing information.” Cases assigned to the District Attorney Justice System Integrity Division (JSID) were intentionally withheld from the public’s release to avoid criticism from supporters during the recall effort of District Attorney George Gascon as well as to affect the outcome of the Sheriff’s election.
The shooting of Anthony Webber happened on February 4, 2018, during the time of Villanueva’s predecessor. The case was submitted to the JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on September 25, 2018. On February 17, 2022, the case was signed off as justifiable by Deputy District Attorney Joseph Iniguez.
The shooting of Andres Guardado occurred on June 18, 2020, and the case was submitted to the JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on December 19, 2020. Director Diana Teran signed off the Deputy Involved Shooting case on January 12, 2022, as justifiable.
Dijon Kizzee’s shooting occurred on August 31, 2020. The case was submitted to JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on June 22, 2021, and District Attorney George Gascon signed it off on May 25, 2022, as justifiable.
Lastly, a use of force incident that occurred in the San Fernando Court lockup on March 10, 2021, was submitted to the JSID by the Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau on April 14, 2022. This case was signed off by George Gascon last month, on October 3, 2022, and he declined to file charges.
The Sheriff mentioned these types of cases presented which are presented to the DA are devastating for both parties. Many times, there is a tragic loss of human life. Families need closure; deputies do not know if they will be charged, and lives are disrupted on both sides. Administrative investigations must wait until results from the DA’s office are disclosed. The Community is also forming and making decisions based on the information, or lack of information, that the DA had in these cases and chose not to release for months.
“When we do our investigations, good, bad and different results, we have to present them and do what we’re supposed to do, take action, administratively we take action. We present the case to the District Attorney and the Attorney General if it’s a federal case. Still, we don’t withhold things for material gain or political advantage, and this is exactly what’s happened with all four cases, and I’m… I’m disappointed but not shocked,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
The Sheriff’s Department will contact the Office of the Attorney General to request an investigation and examine if the District Attorney has been engaged in electioneering and using his office to influence the outcome of the election by suppressing information.
Sheriff Villanueva Announces arrest of LAw enforcement impersonator – Victims soughthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/024-022-153-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Villanueva Announces Arrest of Law Enforcement Impersonator that Extorted Spanish Speaking Handymen
On Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva along with Bellflower Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station, held a press conference to announce the arrest of a law enforcement impersonator that targeted Spanish speakers to steal money from them.
In June of 2022, a victim went to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Lakewood to report a theft. He stated he was a contractor and had a Spanish ad listing in “El Clasificado” for handyman work. The suspect contacted the victim to perform work on the suspect’s home located in the city of Bellflower. Sometime during the meeting, the suspect identified himself as an “LA Police Detective” and said he had access to confiscated and towed vehicles from the police department to sell. The suspect offered to sell the victim two hybrid vehicles for a $7,000.00 deposit via Zelle and another $7,000.00 once the vehicles were delivered. The victim never received the vehicles and the suspect ignored any calls from the victim.
On one occasion, the victim was able to get a hold of the suspect via cellphone and during the call, the suspect told the victim that he was a detective and if he didn’t want any problems, he should stay away.
Bellflower Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station, in partnership with the cities of Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens, started an investigation and on October 27, 2022, Bellflower Detectives authored a search warrant and arrested suspect Alejandro Martin at his residence. He was booked at Lakewood Station for theft by false pretense.
So far, eight victims have come forward with similar incidents totaling approximately over $100,000.000. On October 31st the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed charges of grand theft, attempted grand theft, and impersonating a peace officer. Martin was arrested in 2014 for impersonating a peace officer and grand theft. He received three years of probation for the grand theft and the impersonation charge was dropped. In 2019, he was arrested again for impersonation, grand theft and felon in possession of a firearm. Once again, the impersonation charge was dropped but he did receive a sentence of two years and 8 months for the possession and grand theft charge.
All victims are Hispanic and Spanish speakers and are either handymen or did construction work and placed ads in “El Clasificado” to advertise their services. The suspect would use these advertisements to initiate contact with his victims.
Oftentimes, Spanish speakers are victims of crime and theft and they do not report incidents. Villanueva assured that the mission of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is to protect all County residents.
“We investigate crimes without asking about immigration status. Our focus is to protect everyone in the community. Witnesses and victims should not be afraid to report crimes because they fear deportation. We have a responsibility to respect due process rights for all and to protect our community,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
Any possible theft victims of Alejandro Martin are encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Gallegos at 562-925-0124 ext. 2541.
Homicide Detectives ask for the Publics Help in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.https://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pic-4-791x1024.jpg7911024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Homicide Detectives and Family Members will ask for the Public’s Help for Information in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.
On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Reginald Thompson Sr. The reward is sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.
On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a little before 9:00 p.m., 34-year-old Reginald Thompson, Sr. was talking to friends in the parking lot of a shopping center, located in the 11400 block of South Vermont Ave., in the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Vermont Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles. As they were talking, four suspects parked their vehicle on Vermont Avenue just south of the shopping center. The suspects exited a dark-colored sedan, approached and fired several times at Thompson and his friends. Thompson was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The suspects fled the location in the vehicle and headed south on Vermont Ave.
“My son was a father, he was a brother, he was a friend. He was fun, he was loving, and he did not deserve to be tragically struck. This could be anybody standing here, and I don’t want to see other mothers suffer the pain and sorrow that I’ve had to endure from my family. We are devastated and if you saw something, please say something,” said Reginald’s mom, Caren Stephens.
On April 19, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a reward in the amount of $20,000 in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of those responsible for the death of Reginald.
“I wish to share my heartfelt condolences with the family of Reginald Thompson, Sr. for their tragic loss,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, author of the motion that established this reward. “I encourage anyone who may have information that could help with this investigation to please come forward so that justice can be achieved for Reginald and his family.”
“My kid’s father was a very loving man. He was a great D.J., an amazing writer, he had a beautiful voice that was out of this world. I pictured my life, my whole future raising my kids with him in it. I never imagined that I would have to lose him so soon,” said a tearful Daysharee Vallier.
LASD Homicide detectives believe there are witnesses who may have seen the suspects leave the area and/or know their identities. If you have information about Reginald’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or 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/.
Sheriff MTA announcementhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/POST_MTA_press-confrence-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva Makes a Major Announcement Regarding LASD’s MTA Contract Bid
Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to make a significant announcement regarding the Los Angeles Sheriff Department and the MTA. The Sheriff expressed his concern regarding public safety on the Metro Transit System in Los Angeles.
Sheriff Villanueva provided statistical information regarding the increase in crime dating back to September 2020 and highlighted examples of violent assaults that occurred on the railways: two LASD deputies ambushed at the Metro Compton Station in September of 2020; A Metro train operator was shot at the Metro Indiana Gold Line Station while operating the train In January 2021; 4 passengers inside the train were shot by known gang members at the Wilmington Station in September 2021. Lastly, in November 2021, a passenger was fatally shot in the head. The suspect also attempted to kill responding Deputies at the Wilmington station.
Sheriff Villanueva expressed how the MTA has turned into an unsafe environment, as several critical incidents have occurred this past year alone. In March 2020, a patron was pushed on the tracks at 7th and Metro Station by a homeless person. That patron suffered severe head trauma. February 2022, a homeless man was cut in half after sleeping on the tracks. January 2022, Sandra Shells was attacked and killed at a bus stop near Union Station. Sheriff Alex Villanueva expressed that the various law enforcement agencies covering the railways and bus routes does not provide adequate coverage due to jurisdictional issues and the stifling of enforcement placed upon peace officers by Metro Board regulations.
Sheriff Villanueva discussed the Metro Board’s policy on private security and the inability to enforce quality of life issues on the metro system. The Sheriff stated, “cops cannot remove an unruly passenger from the trains. This has caused MTA patrons to fear for their safety while onboard the system, and at times, the paying patrons are asked to exit the train. The MTA board only allows the homeless, unruly, drunk, and criminal people on board the trains and buses.”
LASD has provided law enforcement services for Metro since 1997. The LASD has always had full-time personnel strictly assigned and trained for public transit policing. Currently, LASD deploys 300 deputies assigned to Transit Services Bureau.
The Metro Board defunded LASD and, in 2017, decided to move to a multi-agency contract with LAPD and Long Beach Police Department. LASD was reduced to the lowest possible staffing levels, which endangered public and rider safety. Metro Board has expressed its desire to shift from armed law enforcement response to nonviolent crimes and code of conduct violations.
Sheriff Villanueva added the Department intends to bid for the complete Metro Board contract to provide comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services to the entire Bus and railway system. If the bid is denied, LASD personnel will be deployed elsewhere in the county to fulfill staffing vacancies. Sheriff Villanueva further stated, “Effective July 1, 2022, LASD will redeploy our personnel to other critical public safety needs, absent a commitment by the Metro Board upon expiration of the contract.”
Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force AnnouncesArrests and Rescues by California Law EnforcementDuring Operation Reclaim and Rebuild
During a press conference on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced details and results from the seventh annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild enforcement operation, conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force and more than 80 participating federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California. The week-long, statewide effort aimed at combatting human trafficking took place between Sunday, February 6, and Saturday, February 12, 2022, and was conducted in various mediums and met with positive results.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva was joined by executives and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office, Santa Ana Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office, Saving Innocence, Zoe International and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
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, South Los Angeles Anti-Trafficking Committee, comprised of Saving Innocence, Zoe International, Journey Out and many other local service providers 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 65 adult and 7 minor victims being recovered; 182 males arrested for the charge of Solicitation; and 30 suspected traffickers and exploiters were arrested. In total, 413 arrests were made.
Sheriff Villanueva relayed the mission, efforts and results of Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, he gave a firm direction to the Victims, he reiterated, “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.”
The Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, which 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. 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, 7 children have been rescued from their exploiters and 65 women have been connected with the services necessary to rebuild their lives, free from exploitation.”
The Executive Director, Alan Smyth from “Saving Innocence” challenged the media by stating “Human Trafficking happens all year long, every day. The big sporting event just left town but you know what? We haven’t left town and we are going to be here every single day in combating this incredible, brutal crime that has been perpetrated on our most vulnerable. So the biggest mistake we can make would be turning off our cameras and not writing anymore articles because somehow we think human trafficking is gone because the Super Bowl is not here anymore. I want to stand before you and tell you, it has not gone away.”
“From top to bottom, California is committed to the fight against human trafficking,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We’re working all across the state to hold accountable those who use force, fraud, or coercion to exploit people for labor or sex, and provide services to those they victimize. Our teams — whether in San Diego, Fresno, or Sacramento — are on the ground day-in and day-out to secure justice, and protect and help heal those who are abused and exploited. We’re proud to continue to support our partners through Operation Reclaim and Rebuild. Together, we’re helping build safer communities for all.”
The following agencies and task forces participated:
L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force
Operation Reclaim & Rebuild
2022 Participants
Human Trafficking Task Forces
Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force
Concord Police Department
Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Contra Costa County Probation Department
Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
El Cerrito Police Department
FBI Safe Streets (Contra Costa County)
Homeland Security Investigations
Lafayette Police Department
Martinez Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department
Richmond Police Department
San Pablo Police Department
San Ramon Police Department
Walnut Creek Police Department
Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force
California Attorney General
California Highway Patrol
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Homeland Security Investigations
Inglewood Police Department
LA County District Attorney’s Office
LA County Probation Department
LA County Sheriff’s Department
Los Angeles Airport Police
United States Attorney’s Office
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
Anaheim Police Department
California Highway Patrol
Irvine Police Department
Orange County District Attorney’s Office
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Ana Police Department
Placer Special Operation Unit
Lincoln Police Department
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Rocklin Police Department
Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force
Homeland Security Investigations
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Riverside Police Department
San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Highway Patrol
California State Parole
Homeland Security Investigations
San Bernardino County Probation Department
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice – Attorney General’s Office
California Highway Patrol
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Homeland Security Investigations
National City Police Department
San Diego City Attorney’s Office
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego County Probation Department
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
United States Attorney’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice
California Highway Patrol – Coastal Division
Federal Bureau of Investigations
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Probation Department
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
San Luis Obispo Police Department
Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force
Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Maria Police Department
Tulare County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice, Fresno SPAT Unit
Tulare County District Attorney’s Office
Tulare County Sheriff’s Department
Tulare Police Department
Visalia Police Department
Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force
California State University Channel Islands
Homeland Security Investigations
Simi Valley Police Department
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
Agencies
Brentwood Police Department**
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Parole)
Chula Vista Police Department
Costa Mesa Police Department
Fresno Police Department
Huntington Beach Police Department
Laguna Beach Police Department
Long Beach Police Department
Merced Police Department
Modesto Police Department
Napa County Sheriff’s Department
Oakdale Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department**
Pomona Police Department
Sacramento Police Department
San Francisco Police Department
Santa Ana Police Department**
Solano County Sheriff’s Department
Stanislaus County Probation Department
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office
Suisun City Police Department
Turlock Police Department
Vacaville Police Department
Vallejo Police Department
**Agency participated with task force and independently
Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Otis Rayjon Williamshttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Monday, February 9, 2022, Homicide Bureau detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to ask for the public’s help for information leading to the identification of the vehicle and suspect(s) responsible for the murder of Otis Rayjon Williams.
On Friday, July 3, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 14 year-old Otis Rayjon Williams was shot and killed while walking to a local market listening to music, in an alley south of 98th Street between Central Avenue and Pace Avenue. This tragic incident occurred in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles.
Detectives released video of the incident which shows the suspect vehicle stopped, the suspect’s arm reached out of the driver side window, and attempted to fire at Otis. It appeared the gun malfunctioned, and the suspect cleared the malfunction by racking the slide of the gun. Once cleared, the suspect fired several shots at Otis, striking him in the upper torso. The vehicle fled west on 98th Street, then onto South Central Avenue and out of view.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 2015-2018 blue Dodge Challenger and had no front license plate. At the time of the shooting, the hood, roof and trunk had a broad dark-colored stripe that runs from the front to the back. In addition, it had a dark-colored rear spoiler and an insignia reading “Challenger RT” on the front grill.
Otis was 14 years old and the youngest of 7 siblings. Otis enjoyed playing basketball, listening to music and loved joking with his siblings.
“He was a good boy. He was respectful and he respected all his elders and we just miss him. He was the baby. I have 7 kids and he was the baby of the family. He was my little buddy. I don’t understand how this can happen and why? My main thing is why?…He was just a kid, why would you do that? I’m just hoping the public knows something and comes forward” said Francine Brazil, Otis’ mom.
If you have information about Otis’ senseless murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or 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/.
2021 Year in Review Recap of LASDhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/YIR-PC-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva Provides A Year In Review Recap Of LASD, Crime Stats And Department Goals for 2022
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva provided a recap of 2021 during a press conference at the Hall of Justice on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. The Sheriff discussed the topics of crime, jail violence, personnel shortage, accountability, the Public Corruption Unit, accomplishments, homelessness and goals.
In general, violent crime went up, with a two-year increase in homicides by 94% and grand theft auto was up by 59%. Some crime went down due to the pandemic because people were home and businesses were closed.
Jail violence went down steadily for two years, but there was an uptick in 2021 and that was also as a result of the pandemic. Jail population in 2018 was 17,000, it was decompressed to 11,500 to prevent the spread of COVID in the jails, and now it is close to 13,000. The percentage of inmates suffering from diagnosed mental illnesses is up to 36%, and the lack of staffing due to budget cuts, has impacted violence in the jails.
Staffing levels in the department continue to create a challenge in daily operations. Patrol stations are operating at 71%. When deputies are either injured, relieved of duty, light duty, or retire, there is nobody to replace them. Deputies working at the stations have to cover absences and that impacts public safety. Positions continue to be filled in all other Los Angeles County departments, except for the Sheriff’s Department.
The pandemic also affected the total volume of contact with the community. It decreased from 2.5 million to 2.1 million. However, statistically, the use of force was very small. Use of force involving a fatality was even smaller. Commendations from the public were greater than complaints and that shows the department is making progress.
Accountability is something Sheriff Villanueva takes great pride in. Under his leadership, a total of 949 personnel members have been disciplined, 132 have been discharged for offenses that include use of alcohol, false statements, sexual misconduct, domestic violence and excessive force. In addition, in 2021, Sheriff Villanueva ordered an organizational change in administrative investigations that allows for a concurrent administrative and criminal investigation for specific cases to speed up investigations. Currently, there is one case from 2016, one from 2017, two from 2018, 12 from 2019 (including the Ryan Twyman case), 19 from 2020 and eight deputy-involved shooting cases at the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office that are still pending. Sheriff Villanueva expressed his frustration and said such investigations should take 90 days and not six years.
Sheriff Villanueva also discussed the Public Corruption Unit, a unit that has existed for decades but was never formalized. Since its formal inception during his administration, the unit has worked on 24 cases, 10 of them are open investigations, 14 of them are closed, three of them were presented to the DA and six of them have been presented to state and federal agencies. Sheriff Villanueva reiterated that the unit does not investigate individuals, it investigates complaints of criminal conduct.
One of the accomplishments Sheriff Villanueva is very proud of is the Special Alert System for 911 calls involving mental health crises. This program allows families to register a loved one who suffers from any impairment in our system so that deputies know ahead of time and use the best approach on the person involved.
In 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva will start a pilot program in Men’s Central Jail. On February 1st, the Department will begin testing the use of 50 body-worn cameras inside of the jail. On February 13th, the Department will begin testing the use of the “live streaming” feature of the body-worn cameras in patrol for the benefit of the Mental Evaluation Teams. The Homeless Outreach Services Team will continue to provide help and house homeless individuals especially on tourist destinations like they did on Venice and Olvera Street. He will continue to put dents on illegal cannabis grows. Securement of rail corridors is in his immediate plans. Fighting crime and the safety of residents will continue to be a priority, but he urged the Board of Supervisors to support law enforcement.
To view the video of the Ryan Twyman incident which occurred on Thursday, June 6, 2019, visit: https://youtu.be/pDDGCwucfto
To listen to the audio of Supervisor Janice Hahn from the Operations Safety & Customer Experience Committee Meeting, LA Metro -Thursday, November 18, 2021, visit: https://metro.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=2024 and refer to minute 30:31-30:40
Effects of defunding the LASD on Public Safetyhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Post_Sheriff_PC_Budget_boards.jpg900450SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
The continued defunding of the Sheriff’s Department and the effects on Public Safety
During a press conference held Tuesday morning, December 14, 2021, at the Hall of Justice, Sheriff Alex Villanueva discussed the significantly defunded budget of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).
He started the press conference by showing a segment of the December 7, 2021, Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting in which Los Angeles County CEO, Fesia Davenport, and Fourth District LA County Supervisor, Janice Hahn, discuss the Sheriff’s Department budget. Supervisor Hahn believes it’s a myth that the BOS is defunding the Sheriff’s Department and asks Davenport for clarification. Davenport explains that last year and this year’s budgets are about the same, “but in 2019 the Board approved the CEO’s recommendation to set aside about 143.7 million dollars in the Sheriff’s budget for services and supplies. What essentially happened, supervisors is, we set that money aside at the outset of the budget year…” says Davenport, as Supervisor Hahn interrupts and says: “That’s not the answer that we want…” while she covers her mouth.
Sheriff Villanueva continued the press conference with a presentation in which the first slide showed the LASD budget of the last 10 years. The information obtained from the Los Angeles County CEO’s budget website, showed a decrease of the percentage of total county budget from 11.7% (during former Sheriff McDonnell) to the current 8.9% under Villanueva’s leadership. “If Supervisor Hahn’s position is that there is a myth here, well, then they’re perpetuating this myth, and the grim reality is the fact that we’re being defunded and at the worst time possible in the history of County,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
Sheriff Villanueva noted that cities and states that defunded law enforcement agencies across the United States including: Rochester, NY; Rochester, MN; Minneapolis, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, and the City of Los Angeles, had regretted it and had reversed the decision, except for Los Angeles County. In addition to the defunding, a total of 1281 were removed from the department’s budget. On top of the positions removed, the current vacancy is 1,370, of which 686 are sworn and 684 are civilian positions. One might argue that if a position is vacant, it wasn’t needed anyway, and won’t be missed if eliminated. On the contrary, vacant positions across LASD are necessary and, because of already-existing staff shortages, are filled by paying overtime spots, which only compounds budget issues.
The national average for all metropolitan law enforcement agencies across the nation is 3.8 cops per 1000 residents; New York Police Department has more than four, Los Angeles Police Department has 2.2. The average for all agencies throughout the nation is 2.5 cops per every 1000 residents. LASD is operating at 0.9 cops per 1000 residents. Academy classes were cut from 12 to four per year, and as a result, there are not enough deputies to cover attrition. Patrol stations are currently at 71% staffing, which means mandatory overtime for deputies. LASD is the only county department that remains on a hiring freeze.
Cutting the LASD budget affects the services we provide and takes away vital law enforcement services from everyone. Defunding law enforcement ultimately hurts public safety and that is not a myth.
Imminent Threat to Public Safety due to Vaccine Mandateshttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Post_Press_Conference_Vaccine_Mandate-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Villanueva addresses the imminent threat to public safety if terminations occur in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department due to vaccine mandates.
During a press conference at the Hall of Justice on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva discussed the imminent threat that vaccine mandates will have on areas serviced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Using a power point presentation, Sheriff Villanueva showed how deputies have begun to leave the department. From October 2019 through October 2020, there were 515 retirements. From October 2020 to October 2021, there were 617 retirements, a difference of 102 deputies who have filed for retirement. Many of those retiring have institutional knowledge and are experts in their fields with over 28 years of experience. Sheriff Villanueva shared that 238 sworn personnel have stated their interest in leaving the department.
Workers’ compensation claims are also on the rise and have increased by 21.9% this last year. He stated that from October 2019 to October 2020, there were 1,434 workers’ compensation claims and as of October 2020 to October 2021, there were 1,749, many attributed to the vaccine mandates.
As of today, 51.7% of the department’s personnel are fully vaccinated and 1.7% are semi-vaccinated. He stated the reason for the low vaccination numbers was due to many not having faith in the vaccine or the political ideology behind the vaccine.
Sheriff Villanueva cautioned that there are 4,185 staff members, both sworn and professional, who may be subject to termination because of the vaccine mandate; 3,137 of the 4,185 are sworn deputies.
The five counties that surround Los Angeles County do not have vaccine mandates and at least half of the department’s sworn personnel do not live in the County of Los Angeles. They can easily apply for employment in those counties.
Public safety is the priority of the Sheriff’s Department and vaccine mandates are an imminent threat to the safety of the communities the department serves. The department is in danger of losing a significant number of deputies and it would be detrimental to the safety of residents of Los Angeles County.