viewfromaloft

Art Walk Add: Task Force In Action. City Hall releases statement.

Art Walk Talk: A release from City Hall taps into the current buzz as covered in Art Walk Preview.  It states that the August Art Walk will be the first month LAFD and the County Health Department will "no longer issue any permits for vending between 3rd and 7th street and Spring and Main, areas identified to be overly congested by art walk activities."

The two agencies, part of the Art Walk task force, are working to "expedite permits" with interested vendors in the areas outside the zone, designed to shift Art Walk's growth outside the four-block area in Downtown's Historic Core and Gallery Row.

“Art Walk is an organic event that has grown in attendance and popularity alongside the revitalization of our urban downtown," said Councilwoman Jan Perry in the Wednesday morning statement.  "Our number one priority is to support public safety efforts and ensure that Art Walk continues as a sustainable, positive event for the entire Los Angeles community."

“Art Walk is a fantastic event that draws thousands downtown and we want to ensure that it remains active and viable,” says Councilmember José Huizar.  “We’re hopeful that the safety changes we’re implementing for tomorrow’s Art Walk will allow us to reduce large crowds drawn to non-art related activities.”

In the Historic Core, Spring street divides Perry's 9th District and Huizar's 14th District.

The statement also says the city will continue police presence to handle previous turn restrictions on Main for northbound traffic at 3rd and 4th, and on Spring from southbound traffic at 4^th St. and 6th St.

Inspectors from different departments will keep sidewalks clear of DJ equipment, craft vendors and carts, plus monitor permitted food / craft lots. The city is prepared to shut down unpermitted lots.

 

ADD REWARD: LAPD Seeks Daylight Mugger Caught Choking and Robbing Retired Little Tokyo Resident

 

 

In Little Tokyo, a short Hispanic man wearing a white t-shirt, baseball cap worn backwards, and a backpack, sized up people walking by. He spots a 68-year-old woman using a walker, sneaks up behind her, grabs her throat to disarm her, then steals her gold chain and jade pendant that has a value of $100.

The retired Little Tokyo resident tries to fight back despite being legally blind. A local business owner rushes to her aid.  The suspect escapes. It was all caught on "shocking" video, says Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Central Detective Division. “If this video doesn’t make you angry, little will.”

“Street robberies are uncommon in the Little Tokyo area, so this one really stands out,” Lt. Vernon said in a statement. “And this suspect really needs to go to jail.”

The robbery occurred on 1st Street between Los Angeles and San Pedro on July 24, around noon. Anyone with information can call Central Detectives at (213) 972-1251.

 

Full Press Release Aug. 12, 2011

Police Seek Public’s Assistance in Finding the Person Responsible for Robbery and Assault on Senior in Little Tokyo

Council President Pro Tempore Jan Perry received unanimous support from her council colleagues today for the issuance of a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and apprehension of the person responsible for the assault of a 68 year-old, blind woman in Little Tokyo. 

“No one should feel vulnerable walking the streets of our city in broad daylight. This was a brazen attack that will not go unpunished,” said Council President Pro Tempore Perry who represents the Little Tokyo community. “We are asking anyone with information about this crime to please come forward and help our officers find the person responsible.”

On July 24, 2011 at approximately 12:00pm, a 68-year old woman, who is legally blind, was walking on 1^st Street between Los Angeles Street and Central Avenue when man in a long white T-shirt assaulted her and ripped a jade pendant gold necklace off her neck.

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Central Division at (213) 485-3294.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.   Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

 

Where Does A Downtown Cop Eat?

Captain Blake Chow taking lunch orders at Pete's Cafe during Tip-A-Cop 2009, a LAPD sponsored fundraiser for Special Olympics. Chow was assigned as Commander in late 2009 and currently assists in overseeing LAPD's Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. His duties include handling major public events around Downtown, and putting out fires during riotous post-Laker championship celebrations.  Photo: Ed Fuentes

TIPS FROM COPS: They grow up so fast. A daughter of one of my many cousins will be in L.A. for a final stage of testing for and with the Los Angeles Police Department.  Since moms are always moms, I was asked what a potential recruit can see or eat at a planned diversion to Olvera Street.

It is not uncommon for L.A.'s birth place to be the go-to destination for those not familar with Downtown. Yet it had me wondering where cops working in the city dine?  After all, they rely on knowing the streets.  A quick note was sent to LAPD Commander Blake Chow asking if he can tip me on some of his favorite places. His first response: “Healthy or not-so-healthy?”

Either; after all, you are the commander.

Tip-A-Cop Will Stake Out Urth Caffé

Above: Officer Kris Werner busting in on a waiter's table during 2010's Tip-A-Cop at Pete's Cafe. Below: LAPD's Blake Chow taking orders in 2009.

This year, Tip-A-Cop will be held at Urth Caffé so top brass from LAPD's Central Division can spend an afternoon serving organic coffee and cheesecake to those nefarious looking Arts District residents. Tips collected during the long shift will benefit local Special Olympics athletes. 

Tip-A-Cop I Thursday, June 16 I Noon to 7pm

Urth Caffe I 451 S. Hewitt I Downtown Los Angeles I Arts District

 

 Photos /  VFaL

 

The Tramp and the Cop

NO TRUTH TO MY RUMOR: In Downtown Los Angeles, a man with a cane found himself detained by local police after he was seen “walking funny" on Broadway, according to witnesses standing in line to enter the Los Angeles Theatre.

The historic theater was the venue for a public assembly when the disorderly male was seen tipping his hat to female attendees, then attempted to enter the lobby without a ticket several times.

He would only identify himself as "a tramp" and remained silent during questioning by LAPD's keystone police authority.

The alleged tramp was soon released and later welcomed into the theater. 

No further incidents were reported.

Pictured: Ruben Fernandez and LAPD Commander Andy Smith before Angeles Theater press conference introducing "Bringing Back Broadway". In January 1931 the Los Angeles Theatre opened with Charles Chaplin's  City Lights.  Fernandez was hired by Bringing Back Broadway to entertainin the crowd on the sidewalk when officer Andy Smith jumped in for the photo op. The photo was caught in a matter of 15 seconds.  photo/viewfromaloft

Meanwhile, down the street from this loft . . .*

Above:  3rd and Alameda. Below: LAPD spokesman Paul Vernon.

LAPD spokesman Paul Vernon was also at the scene of today’s underground explosion that damaged a LAPD cruiser, and sent an LAPD officer to the hospital with reports of lower back pain. As the media, LAFD, LAPD and eyewitnesses on the scene already stated earlier in the day, a LAPD officer was answering a call when he saw smoke from one manhole cover and called for LAFD to investigate. He then parked his car to block traffic,  that happened to be next to the second manhole cover, when the explosion occurred.

LAFD had already arrived and witnessed the impact from the explosion, quickly treating the officer away before taking him to a local hospital. Television media were present, along with a few bloggers, to make a reports that kept everyone up to date all afternoonm, with some lingering on.

I was working on a project and thought the helicopters were from filming. Not being hooked into twitter, with the TV off, I first found out when a friend checked up on me while I was on the way to a photo shoot.

Right: LAFD officers from Station 9, who first took the injured officer away.

BloggingLA
LAist and Arts District's Callie Miller on the scene
KNBC
KCBS
Yours in Safety and Service,  LAFD

Add: LATImes  I.D.s the LAPD officer as Craig Allen, 34.

After the jump, Commander Andrew Smith arrives and becomes a CurbedLA media darling.

LAPD: 'Gunman At Large'

From LAPD blog: 

Los Angeles detectives are asking the public’s help in providing any information related to a fatal shooting that left one man dead, and at least two other men wounded outside a downtown nightclub early this morning, January 4, 2008.

"The shooting appears related to a fight that started inside the nightclub on the dance floor," said Lieutenant Paul Vernon, head of detectives for the Central Police Station.  "After a young girl was stabbed in the arm, patrons began leaving in large numbers.  That's when a man with a gun started shooting at other men in the parking lot."

The incident began around 1:30 in the morning at the LA Crash Mansion, a newly re-opened and re-named nightclub at Olympic Boulevard and Grand Avenue.  According to detectives, the woman who was stabbed in the arm was not seriously injured.  The exodus of patrons from the club turned into a melee in the adjacent parking lot when one man began shooting at several other men.

<snip>

Officers at the scene received little in the way of suspect description other than a Hispanic man.

The majority of the patrons were between 18 and 20 years old.  The nightclub was apparently operating as an over-eighteen club.  "We will be looking closely at the business practices here with our Vice Unit and the City Attorney’s Office," Lt. Vernon added.  "We've had other disturbances at this same location before it closed down under the name, Grand Avenue Club."

Anyone with information is urged to call LAPD’s Central Homicide Unit at 213-972-1254.  Persons can also call the 24-hour hotline number, 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).

ADD: LAT

Real Thanks

Captain Chamberlin (front) with LAPD officers in front of Hollenbeck station in Boyle Heights.

Friday evening's candlelight vigil for LAPD Officer Tony Salazar, 37, had 50 family members and supporters joining LAPD officers in a brief ceremony led by community volunteer Monica Harmon.  Salazar's neighbor, David Sanchez. has been assisting the family the last few days and said, “Tony told people to spend time with their families for Thanksgiving. That’s the kind of guy he is.”

Salazar suffered two broken legs, facial injuries, and head trauma and went through ten hours of surgery after he was run over by a car driven by a suspected narcotics dealer early Tuesday.  The driver has since turned himself in. Salazar, who was raised in East LA, is now listed in stable condition.

When Captain Todd C. Chamberlain spoke to the group, he said, “He is still with us, and that is something to be thankful for.” 

That brought a quiet nod from Salazar’s wife who was present with their children.

Candlelight Vigil for injured LAPD Officer tonight

Sgt Kris Werner invites the community to join a candlelight vigil for Officer Salazar, the LAPD narcotics officer hospitalized in serious condition. The officer was struck by a suspects vehicle near Fourth and Dacotah streets in Boyle Heights, and was left with two broken legs and other injuries.

The vigil will be held in front of Hollenbeck Station (1936 E. 1st St) Friday night, November 23, at 7pm.

SLO Deon Joseph

Deon Joesph, Senior Lead Officer for Skid Row, seen investigating the menu at Pastagina last week.

Deon Joesph has been recognized for his work in skid row a few times,  and now is an honorable mention for Parade Magazine's 2007 Officer of the Year. Add: Daily News profiles the Skid Row Cop:

Joseph has grown to love his assignment on Skid Row, but admits that when he first arrived he had doubts. He soon realized he was in familiar territory.

When Joseph's parents, Milton and Margie, came to Long Beach in the late 1950s from Louisiana, times were so hard they collected cans to sell at recycling centers to make ends meet.

Despite their own initial hardships, his parents were community-minded, Joseph said. His father started his own construction business and routinely hired people others thought didn't deserve a second chance, including ex-cons looking to improve their life.

Before she died last November, Joseph's mother fed the homeless at least once a week for about seven years.

 

This coming Wednesday is the Central LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO) Summit California Hospital (6pm).  Arts District residents who join in the neighborhood watch are invited to attend the summit, sans dogs of course.