Hate Crimes In Los Angeles Rose By 15% In 2022, LAPD Report Says

Hate crimes in Los Angeles rose by 15% in 2022, according to a report shared by the Los Angeles Police Department Tuesday, which attributed the increase to expanded outreach efforts that encourage the city's most vulnerable communities to report such crimes. The department's analysis revealed 701 hate crimes and hate incidents in 2022, compared with 610 in 2021. Ninety of those were anti-Hispanic hate crimes, a decrease of 12% from 2021; 180 were anti-Black hate crimes, an increase of 36%; and 33 were anti-Asian hate crimes, which represents a 371% increase from the seven anti-Asian hate crimes reported in 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the report, the Jewish community was the largest community affected by hate crimes in the religion category, with 89 antisemitic hate crimes reported in 2022, an increase of 24% from 2021. The most common religion-biased crimes involve vandalism, criminal threats and harassment. Gay men were the largest community affected by hate crimes in the sexual orientation category. Crimes against gay men included aggravated and simple assault, vandalism and criminal threats. Often suspects in these crimes confront victims regarding their sexual orientation, resulting in a verbal or physical altercation. In 2022, there were 93 anti-gay hate crimes, a decrease of 9% from 2021.

ABC 7

Stabbing Victim Hospitalized, Attacker Shot And Killed By Police At Reseda Strip Mall

A stabbing victim was hospitalized and the suspected attacker was shot and killed by police in a violent confrontation Tuesday at a Reseda strip mall. Police responded to the 7600 block of Reseda Boulevard about 11:10 a.m. after receiving multiple reports of a man armed with a knife. Police opened fire on a man who they said stabbed someone inside the a meat market. The market owner said he was helping a customer when someone armed with a sharp object entered the business and started stabbing the customer. The attacker, identified only as a man in his 30s, died at the scene after he was shot by police. The stabbing victim, also in his 30s, was hospitalized. Details about his condition were not immediately available. Details about a motive for the attack were not available.

NBC 4

San Pedro Girl Reported Missing

A 12-year-old girl was reported missing after last being seen at a Montclair shopping center and police Wednesday are seeking the public’s help in finding her. Police say Isabella Poland left her home at around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday on the 2200 block of Roseglene Avenue west of North Taper Avenue in San Pedro after her mother noticed her putting on make-up, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Isabella was later seen on Tuesday around 7:50 p.m. on surveillance video at Montclair Place with an unknown man, the LAPD said. Isabella is white, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs about 130 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and blue jeans. Authorities say Isabella does not have a phone and was not allowed to use social media. Anyone who has seen Isabella or knows of her whereabouts was asked to call the LAPD’s Harbor Area Juvenile detectives at 310-726-7941. During non-business hours or on weekends please call 877-527-3247.

MyNewsLA

Police Like Using Google Data To Solve Crimes. Does That Put Your Privacy At Risk?

After a man was shot dead outside a bank in Paramount in 2019, Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives turned to Google for help identifying suspects. Through a search warrant, detectives directed the tech giant to provide cellphone location data for people who were near places the man visited on the day he was killed. The data Google provided eventually led detectives to two suspects who are now in prison for the murder. But law enforcement’s demand for Google location data using what’s known as “geofence warrants” also sparked concerns that the requests violated the suspects’ constitutional rights. This year, a California Court of Appeal upheld the murder conviction but ruled the warrant violated the 4th Amendment, which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures, because it was too broad and could have potentially swept up thousands of people. The case, People vs. Meza, highlights the central tension over the exploding use of geofence warrants: Law enforcement leaders see Google location data as essential for solving crimes, but civil rights groups fear such warrants will infringe on the privacy of innocent bystanders. The number of geofence warrants Google reports receiving from U.S. law enforcement increased from 982 in 2018 to 11,554 in 2020, the most recent data released show.

Los Angeles Times

Police Searching For 33-Year-Old Attorney Missing Out Of Downtown L.A.

Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department along with family members of a 33-year-old attorney missing out of downtown L.A. are asking for the public’s help in locating him. Aaron Murphy Davidson, a graduate of Chapman University, Fowler School of Law in Orange, and an active member of the California Bar, was last seen on July 6 at a residence in the 200 block of South Grand Avenue downtown. The 33-year-old is described as a white male with brown hair and eyes, who stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. “His family is concerned for his safety, or that he may be hospitalized and unidentified,” LAPD said in the missing person’s bulletin. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at 213-996-1800. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be made to 877-LAPD-24-7.

KTLA 5

Massive Marijuana Grow Discovered In Downtown Los Angeles

A massive marijuana grow operation was discovered in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon. Police were called to the 1800 block of, coincidentally, South Flower Street around 6 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Morales posted on social media. Arriving officers discovered dozens, possibly hundreds, of marijuana plants being grown inside a large, commercial-type building. “Surprise, surprise,” Morales posted, referring to the officers’ reaction to discovering the operation. “Great work, lots to book, two floors of this green leafy plant,” Morales said. No details about any arrests related to the discovery were released.

KTLA 5

Man Fatally Stabbed Near Lincoln Heights

A man was stabbed to death Wednesday near Lincoln Heights. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded at 12:12 a.m. to the 1600 block of North Eastern Avenue, just south of the San Bernardino (10) Freeway, where they found the victim, said Homicide Lt. Art Spencer. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. There is no additional information available at this time. Anyone with information about this stabbing was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or send tips to lacrimestoppers.org.

MyNewsLA

East Hollywood Apartment Complex Terrified By Naked Man Roaming Around Their Hallways

Two months ago no one living in an apartment complex along East Hollywood's North Serrano Avenue would've expected they'd have to deal with a naked man roaming around the hallways outside of their units. "He just roams around our building to the point we are scared," said one resident. "We don't even want to come out of our apartment." Residents, many of whom did not want to give their names or faces for fear of retaliation, said their problems started two months ago when a new tenant moved into their building. They claimed the new neighbor threatened and harassed many of them, to the point where some walked around their own building with tasers and pepper sprays. After numerous calls, police hauled the woman away on July 15 only for the naked man to take over the woman's apartment. Residents believe the pair know each other after spotting them together a few times. "He looks like somebody dangerous, who can sexually assault us," said one resident. 

CBS 2

Cold Case: 36 Years After Killing Of California Mom, DNA Links To 71-Year-Old Sex Offender

For nearly 36 years, the person who stabbed 22-year-old Jacqueline Denise Henry to death walked free. Last week, the family of the beloved Fresno mother finally got some closure. A 71-year-old registered sex offender was arrested on suspicion of killing Henry, after his DNA matched that of the probable killer. Fresno Police Department officers responded on Feb. 24, 1987, to a report of a body found in a field at the corner of Church and Fig avenues. A deceased woman was found lying face-down with multiple stab wounds. The woman was identified through her fingerprints as Henry, a Fresno resident and the mother of an infant boy. Henry had been reported missing three days prior and according to an autopsy report, she was killed three to five days before her body was discovered. She was most likely sexually assaulted and killed just outside the Pearly Grove Baptist Church before being dragged across the street and left in the field, according to authorities. The case went cold after detectives couldn’t find any leads or suspects. “At this time, back in 1987, there were no Ring cameras. There were no smartphones,” said Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama during a Tuesday news conference. “There was no ShotSpotter. There were no eyewitnesses. And DNA evidence was brand new. We had no leads to the cases and no witnesses. Although they worked extensively, they were not able to find the killer in this particular case.”

Los Angeles Times

Arizona Officer Shot In ‘Ambush-Style Attack' Back On Patrol

After being shot in the line of duty, Phoenix Police Department officer Morgan Bullis is back on patrol. The police department announced her return in a Facebook post, saying she is "excited to be serving her community once again." Bullis said putting on her uniform again is a big part of her healing: "I'm excited because it's kind of a step in the right direction. It was an injury that I couldn't control; somebody else controlled it for me. So, coming back, it was a lot of work and I'm happy to be here." During her recovery, Bullis had to relearn how to walk and run. Her one goal she had since leaving the hospital in March: getting back to serving her community. "Police officers have to be a voice for people that can't be a voice. Not everybody can defend themselves, and that's OK because we'll be there for them," Bullis said. In March, Bullis was shot in the hip while responding to reports of a car crash, KPNX reports. The suspect, identified as Joseph Lopez, fired several shots at Bullis in her patrol vehicle. Bullet fragments also struck Bullis in the face, police said. Bullis returned to work on July 17.

PoliceOne

He’s Stable And He’s Talking’: Miami-Dade’s Top Cop Recovering After Shooting

Miami-Dade Police Director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez, who police say shot himself in the head Sunday night after an argument with his wife, has likely lost the use of his right eye but appears to have escaped brain damage and is expected to recover, according to the president of the agency’s largest police union. Ramirez, 52, turned a gun on himself after stopping his vehicle on the shoulder of I-75 just south of Tampa. Law enforcement agencies investigating the shocking and still murky incident say it happened just hours after Ramirez got into a fight with his wife Jody that was so heated police were called to the Tampa hotel where the couple were attending a law enforcement convention. Steadman Stahl, president of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association, said he visited with the Ramirez family at the hospital Monday night. Other sources also provided similar updates Tuesday on Ramirez’s condition. “The family is devastated. But they’re close and they’re sticking together,” Stahl said. “The good news I heard is that he’s stable and he’s talking.” Law enforcement agencies — Tampa police, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement — all have confirmed parts of the basic chronology of events surrounding the shooting. But many key details remained unclear two days later, including what sparked the argument between the long-married couple, who have four children — one who is a sergeant on the police force led by his father.

Miami Herald

LVMPD K-9 Stabbed Several Times During Arrest

A man stabbed a police dog multiple times Monday night while he was being arrested for allegedly stabbing a person earlier in the day. At around 8:30 p.m., a victim was found suffering lacerations in the 3900 block of Cambridge Street, near Maryland Parkway. Police identified 30-year-old Ezekiel Barnes as the suspect and found him inside a vehicle in the 3900 block of Maryland, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Barnes allegedly tried to light the vehicle on fire, and police sent K-9 Diko to help arrest Barnes. Barnes then stabbed Diko multiple times and police used other low lethal options to arrest Barnes. Diko is recovering at a veterinary clinic. In October, Diko helped police arrest 24-year-old Tyson Hampton, who is accused of fatally shooting Officer Truong Thai. Barnes faces charges of resisting police, injuring or attempting to kill a police animal, attempted arson and burglary, court records show.

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Driver Killed After Car Plunges Off Embankment In Chatsworth

A driver was found dead Monday after their car went over the side of an embankment on Santa Susana Pass Road in Chatsworth, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the 22400 block of West Santa Susana Pass Road 10:30 a.m. That's where crews found the driver, who died at the scene. A dog that appeared to be in good condition was located near the vehicle and is currently under the care of Animal Care Services. The identity of the person who died was not yet released. The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, but authorities said the vehicle may have crashed several days ago. Santa Susana Pass Road was closed in both directions in the area while the investigation was conducted. All roads in the area have since reopened.

FOX 11

Firefighter Injured Battling Brush Fire In Angeles National Forest

A firefighter was injured while battling a brush fire in the Angeles National Forest near Agua Dulce Tuesday afternoon. The Agua Fire was reported around 2:15 p.m. near Soledad Canyon and Agua Dulce Canyon roads, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It had grown to 40 acres as of 4:30 p.m. and was burning through dry brush at a safe distance from any homes. No structures were threatened. The county fire department was coordinating firefighting efforts with National Forest crews. “Units on scene are making good progress slowing down the fire with ground crews and multiple water-dropping aircrafts,” LACoFD said in an update. 

KTLA 5

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 9,200 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.