L.A. Board Of Police Commissioners To Continue Deliberations On Interim Chief

The Board of Police Commissioners Friday reported no action was taken following their closed-session meeting to discuss the appointment of an interim chief of police as Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore is set to retire at the end of February. On Friday morning, prior to entering closed session, the five-member board of commissioners heard testimony from three individuals on the agenda. The comments were brief, limited to one minute. Comments both encouraged the board to select a strong leader as interim chief and also criticized the board for not doing more to increase public engagement. The process of selecting an interim chief could take several weeks, but a decision must be made prior to Moore's retirement. Nearly five hours after entering closed-session, the commissioners came out and an official said "no action was taken by the board." Mayor Karen Bass told City News Service that there will be a three- front process to identify and select a new police chief. She explained the police commission will be making a decision and selecting a national search firm to conduct the search. "We are not opposed to an internal candidate, but as the nation's second largest city we need to search wide to make sure that we get the best."

Westside Current

Headless Body Found In Florence Alleyway; Investigation Underway

An investigation is underway in the Florence neighborhood after a headless body was discovered on Sunday. Police say that the body was found in an alley near the 110 block of W. 78th Street just after 2:50 p.m., according to Los Angeles Police Department investigators. They say that the body, which was already decomposing, was found by two Spectrum workers who were working in a nearby area. There was no further information provided. 

CBS 2

Woman Sought In Deadly Shooting At San Pedro Bar

Police asked the public for help Saturday locating a woman suspected of shooting a man to death and wounding two other people at a San Pedro bar. Officers were called at about 12:15 a.m. Saturday to the Machista Bar at 952 S. Pacific St. near 10th Avenue, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman told City News Service. The LAPD's Media Relations Division said there was an altercation inside the bar, and a woman fired multiple rounds striking three patrons. A man was pronounced dead at the scene. Paramedics rushed a 35-year-old woman and a 44 year-old man to a hospital with stable vital signs, police said. The suspect who fled the scene was described as a 20- to 30-year-old woman. Anyone with information about the shooting was urged to call the LAPD's South Bureau Homicide Division at 323-786 5100. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477, or go to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

NBC 4

LAPD Seeks Public’s Help After Pedestrian Dies In Panorama City Hit-and-Run

The LAPD is looking for help from the public following a fatal hit-and-run Friday night in Panorama City, authorities said on Saturday. Around 6 p.m., a vehicle described as a lowered black pickup truck was traveling westbound on Roscoe Boulevard when it hit a woman walking northbound on Wakefield Avenue at an unmarked crosswalk, a police statement said. The driver did not stop, attempt to identify themselves, or render aid, and continued westbound on Roscoe before turning northbound on Lennox Avenue. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived and transported the woman to a hospital, where she died from her injuries. She is described as a woman around 60 years old. Her name was not immediately released pending notification of next of kin. Detectives with the LAPD Valley Traffic Unit are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward with information that may help them. A reward of up to $5,000 is available for anyone who offers information leading to the suspect. Anyone with information can call 818-644-8036 or 818-644-8020.

Los Angeles Daily News

Elderly Man Killed In North Hollywood Hit-and-Run Crash

A hit-and-run crash left an elderly man dead in North Hollywood while the suspect remains at large. The incident happened on Thursday as the man was crossing the street on Vineland Avenue, just north of Vanowen Street, at around 1:05 p.m. The victim was only identified only as a man in his 60s or 70s, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The victim was walking outside of a marked crosswalk at the time. As the suspect drove northbound on Vineland Avenue, video captured the driver slamming directly into the victim, sending his body tumbling into the air. The suspect, driving a white sedan, continued speeding away, never stopping to render aid to the victim. Arriving paramedics found the injured man lying on the road. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man’s name is being withheld pending identification and notification of next of kin by the L.A. County Coroner’s Office. A reward of up to $50,000 is available to anyone who provides information leading to the suspect’s identification, apprehension, and conviction.

KTLA 5

Man Wounded In South Los Angeles Shooting

A 48-year-old man was wounded Saturday while walking along a street in the Manchester Square area of Los Angeles. The shooting was reported at 6:50 p.m. Saturday in the 8200 block of Normandie Avenue, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Drake Madison. A suspect inside a vehicle fired several rounds at the victim then fled the scene, Madison said. Paramedics took the victim to a hospital, where he had stable vital signs, the officer said.

MyNewsLA

Video: California Deputy Shot In Head By Fleeing Suspect Welcomed Home After Extensive Rehab

A San Diego police sergeant shot in the head in December — leaving him with injuries that initially left him unable to walk — returned home Tuesday after making what city officials called “an amazing recovery.”Accompanied by family members, Sgt. Anthony Elliott walked off an airplane and was greeted by Police Chief David Nisleit and several other officers at San Diego International Airport. A procession of police motorcycles later led him into his neighborhood, where neighbors waved signs and cheered as he approached, according to a video released by the police department. “Hello! Thanks, everybody!” he shouted, as he was hugged by children. On the video, Elliott pauses in front of a home and addresses the crowd gathered around him. “I’m profoundly grateful for the department and the community. I love you guys,” he said, adding that he was trying not to cry. “I wouldn’t have progressed the way I did if you guys didn’t love me, so (that is) very much appreciated.” The police department posted video of his homecoming on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter.

San Diego Union Tribune

Man Who Killed Washington K-9 In 2020 Sentenced To More Than 64 Years In Prison

A man who killed a fellow gang member out of jealousy in 2020 and fatally shot a Tacoma police dog the next day has been sentenced to more than 64 years in prison. Dyrell Swinson, 31, was accused of fatally shooting 28-year-old Jake Red on Aug. 12, 2020. He was reportedly suspicious that Red was romantically involved with the mother of Swinson’s children, charging documents show. The next day when Tacoma Police Department officers were looking for Swinson, he fired at three officers and a K-9 named Ronja. The police dog’s handler was struck by shrapnel and Ronja died at the veterinarian hospital from his wounds. The handler received minor injuries. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Thomas Quinlan sentenced Swinson to 774 months on Friday. A jury found Swinson guilty on Nov. 20, 2023, of second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, one count of second-degree assault and harming a police dog. On Oct. 18, 2023, Swinson pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court records. Swinson has eight prior felonies, including sex trafficking of children, attempting to elude and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

The News Tribune

LAFD Knocks Down Two Fires, On Alvarado Street And Westlake Avenue

Firefighters knocked down flames that ignited in a four-vehicle carport and a two-story attic in a fourplex in Los Angeles. The fire inside the carport at 1136 S. Alvarado St. and the attic fire at 1137 1/2 South Westlake Avenue were reported at 2:48 p.m. Sunday, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. The department dispatched 62 firefighters to the two scenes and had the flames knocked down in 22 minutes, Humphrey said. No injuries were reported and the causes of the fires were under investigation.

MyNewsLA

Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory Issued For All L.A. County Beaches

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an Ocean Water Quality Rain Advisory for all beaches across L.A. County. Beachgoers are discouraged from entering the water until at least Tuesday at 11 a.m., the health department said in a release. “Due to current rainfall, [the health department] advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers due to potentially higher bacteria levels in these areas,” public health officials said. “This includes any runoff that may flow onto or pond on the beach sand.” Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill, according to the health department. “Ocean and bay waters – especially those near discharging storm drains – can become contaminated with bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas,” the health department’s release said. The advisory may be extended past Tuesday morning depending on further rainfall, officials confirmed.

KTLA 5

California Leads The Nation In This Disturbing Statistic

More than one in every ten fatal crashes in California is a hit-and-run, putting the Golden State at the top of an unfortunate list, according to a new study involving federal traffic data. The research, commissioned by Suzuki Law Offices, looked at National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures between 2017 and 2021. Of the 18,137 fatal crashes in California during that period, 1,901, or 10.48%, involved drivers who fled the scene. That’s the highest total number of fatal hit-and-runs in the nation and significantly above the national rate of 6.33%, the data showed. The top five also included Illinois (8.72%), New Jersey (8.51%), Alaska (8.49%) and Hawaii (8.49%). Maine had the lowest rate with less than one out of 100 fatal crashes involving a driver who fled. “Analysis of nationwide data shows two-thirds of all hit-and-runs involved a pedestrian and a single vehicle during dark conditions,” said Richard Suzuki, the founding attorney at Suzuki Law Offices. “This suggests most hit-and-runs happen because the driver wants to avoid detection and the consequences of their actions.”

KTLA 5

Council Committee Forwards Motion Intended To Improve Internet Access Equity

A Los Angeles City Council committee Friday approved a motion seeking to address inequitable access to the internet for historically disadvantaged groups, such as those who are low-income, people of color, immigrants and seniors. The council's Civil Rights, Equity, Aging and Disability Committee voted unanimously to support a motion introduced by seven council members on Dec. 12. The item was moved on consent, and did not elicit a lengthy discussion. Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who spearheaded the motion, is seeking to update a city law to broaden investigations of complaints against discrimination to cover digital discrimination as well. The California Public Utilities Commission Public Advocate's Office defines digital redlining as, "Practices in which private or public entities limit investments in the installation, expansion, or upgrading of internet service infrastructure within specific geographic areas."

Westside Current

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,900 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.