A Response to Ramona Ripston's ACLU editorial on March 12, 2007.

Like the police officers that patrol Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, I am truly disappointed with American Civil Liberties Union President Ramona Ripston's complete distortion of our efforts to stem the lawlessness, suffering, and human misery that was commonplace on Skid Row a few months ago.  I am deeply disturbed Ms. Ripston implied our officers violate the very Constitution they are sworn to uphold and protect. I am also perplexed, because just last year, Ms. Ripston herself walked Skid Row streets with our officers, rode around in a Black and White, and personally witnessed the horrific conditions under which our most vulnerable citizens survived.  How soon she forgot!

She forgot that 3800 parolees, 300+ registered sex offenders, convicted murderers, rapists, and robbers call the 50 square blocks of Skid Row home.  She forgot the dealers dangling drugs in front of people trying to "kick" drugs, the myriad of predators hiding among the street dwelling population, preying on the weak, addicted, and mentally ill.  Fortunately, the terrible culture of lawlessness that was once the norm on Skid Row is quickly becoming a nightmare of the past. 

Despite the thwarting efforts of the ACLU and other self-appointed "champions," the LAPD will continue to protect the weak and vulnerable on Skid Row, and end the culture of lawlessness.  We are succeeding in every dimension.  Fewer people are dying of overdoses, Paramedic calls for service are down, crime has plummeted 36% so far this year, and on top of an 18% reduction in 2006, no person wanting a bed has been left on the streets.  Furthermore, missions report that more people are seeking beds and treatment, and our Streets or Services (SOS) program is diverting misdemeanor arrestees away from jail into treatment and housing programs.  The people living on the street and the people living in the missions, hotels, and apartments in the area report feeling safer, because they are safer.  These results show the Safer Cities Initiative (SCI) in Skid Row is working. 

Ms. Ripston tells stories of several people on Skid Row who claimed that they were stopped and "harassed" for no reason, and also decries the "jaywalking tickets" written by our officers.  Yes, we write jaywalking tickets, just like police throughout Los Angeles. We write traffic tickets to change the behavior of people who choose to ignore the law, not to harass the homeless or anyone else for that matter.  Consider that in 2006, 4 out of 6 traffic deaths in downtown (Central Area) were caused by pedestrians in the roadway.  So far in 2007, 3 out of 3 traffic deaths downtown were cause by pedestrians in the roadway.  When you stand over the dead body of a homeless man, killed because he was jaywalking, suddenly the idea of police officers changing behavior by issuing jaywalking tickets makes sense.  I offer no apologies for the traffic enforcement conducted by efforts our officers make to save lives of people.  The expectation is that people will obey the law, just like they do in Van Nuys, West LA and San Pedro.

Just a few months ago, the streets of Skid Row were a place where "anything goes." It was a free-for-all, from the open-air drug bizarre with people smoking crack and injecting heroin, to the blatant outdoor acts of prostitution.  Today, approximately 1200 people who were dealing (selling heroin or rock cocaine) are in jail.  Hundreds of parolees in violation or with open charges are back in prison.

Ms. Ripston asked, "Where did all the homeless people go?"  I am sure some people have chosen to go to other communities where they can get continue their criminal behavior.  Many other people who used to hang around Skid Row actually had a place to stay; they just chose to stay on Skid Row because of the cheap and plentiful drugs, alcohol and prostitution.

Who would come to Skid row just to hang out?  How about Jason Johnson? An Azusa gang member, who last year at 2 A.M. on a Thursday morning, stabbed a Skid Row homeless man to death in a dispute over a bicycle?   Johnson lived in Azusa, and had a home, but chose to "hang out" on Skid Row because he liked to smoke rock cocaine and liked the "party" atmosphere.  Yes, he is one of the people in prison, where he belongs.

How about Kristi? a woman from a prominent family who found herself addicted to drugs living on the streets of Skid Row.  Despite every effort by her family and outreach workers to get her back home or into an apartment, she chose to live on the sidewalk at 5th Street and San Julian, right next to an open shelter with empty beds.  She was killed last year:  beaten to death on the sidewalk by a drug dealer, probably over a drug debt.   He was arrested at the scene by our officers.  Her family is devastated.

What kind of other people are our officers arresting on Skid Row?  How about Jimmy Lee Smith, who we caught two weeks ago hiding among the homeless on Skid Row? He was arrested for being a parole violator.  You may remember him as The Onion Field Killer, and responsible for the murder of LAPD Officer Ian Campbell in the 60s. Or how about Demond Little, an East Coast Crip gang member who was also arrested by our Safer Cities Task Force.  Mr. Little was convicted of a home invasion, rape, and murder, and was hiding out on Skid Row as an unregistered sex offender. 

Do you want to find out the truth about Skid Row?  Do you want to see if our officers are trampling on the civil rights of homeless people? Come down and see for yourself.  Walk around and talk to people like our LAPD officers do every day.  We take members of the public, City officials and members of the media out to see the reality of Skid Row.  And don't take my word on how the homeless are being treated, ask them yourself.  Or ask one of the 400 courageous men and women working LAPD's Central Area about life on Skid Row, and the human suffering they see every day.

We are proud of our officers who work the area of Skid Row.  We will continue to provide training on all the important issues in dealing with the troubled and troublesome population on Skid Row.  Do we need more money for housing, supportive services, and mental health care?  Of course we do. Yet, until such resources are available to make a difference, it is the job of the police department to make the Skid Row area safe for the most vulnerable members of our community, and give them the opportunity to recover from their addictions in a supportive environment.

Chief William Bratton has the courage to push forward the Safer Cities Initiative and the courage to take on the problems of Skid Row, despite the constant criticism from people like the ACLU.  Chief Bratton's increase of narcotics officers and foot-beat officers in Skid Row is making the community safer than ever.  Your LAPD officers are making a difference every day and night walking the walk, protecting the weak, mentally ill, and less fortunate.  When I "walk the walk" with my officers on Skid Row, I like to remind them of the quote from President Teddy Roosevelt, "It's not the critic who counts."  The reality is…. LAPD Central Officers are the ones that count, and make a difference to the community on Skid Row every day.

Captain Andrew Smith
Central Area Commanding Officer

Comments

[Larry]

It is ironic that one of the greatest complaints that people have of officers are citations. I am just completing my degree in criminal justice and have been confronted with a few realizations. One of which involves citations. A student said that he got a ticket from an officer for some unknown reason and he went onto say that, "shouldn't the police be out fighting real crime."

The instructor, who was an attorney for fifteen years told him straight. Tickets save lives. Take every gangster, serial killer, rapist and every other criminal type in the United States. Then compile every homicide related death you can imagine; such as gunfire, stabbing, poison, explosion, fire etc. Then multiply the total number by four and you MIGHT get remotely close to the numbers of traffic related deaths each year. He went onto say that it is shocking that so many Americans talk about and or complain about animal rights, sex offenders, gangs and other issues of concern, yet there is only one group that deals with traffic safety and they are dedicated almost exclusively to DUI enforcement (MADD).

Another point he brought up about the North Hollywood shootout where over 1,000 rounds were fired from the most dangerous handheld weapons known to man and yet, no innocent lives were lost by those weapons. However, in Santa Monica, you get one elderly gentleman with one accelerator pedal and you get TEN dead, including an infant child. Pretty ironic huh?

These points simply draw down to one conclusion. LEAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THOSE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!!!!!!

[LOVES LA LEOs]

“Pay no attention to what the critics say; there has never been set up a statue in honor of a critic. “ - Jean Sibelius

[David Kean]

Why shouldn’t people on skid row be governed by the same laws as everyone else? If I get a jaywalking ticket no one sees it as social injustice and harassment. I doubt the ACLU will fight for my right to break the law. What hypocrisy! I praise the LAPD for enforcing the law and punishing criminals, transients and executives alike.

[Detective]

Well said

Now why doesnt the ACLU defend the officers against full financial diclosure. That would be a worthy cause. How about it ACLU, we are waiting to here from you.

[Jeff]

Can anything be done about "boom cars?" Cars that drive by (usually very slowly, for some reason), playing very very loud music.
This is a "quality of life" issue for me. One of several things that make we want to move away from southern California, even though I've put every penny I have into my home, and love my little neighborhood, except for certain "quality of life issues" that keep driving my nuts!

[Crista Sadler]

I think she would have to live as Homeless before she can even begin to Appreciate the Depth of
tragedy that exists and how hard the LAPD
has it when it comes to try and help those all too often deemed Un Help-Able by society, Programs, and even thier own Families
Not too mention those rejected by their peers, Families etc because Of Prejudices that exist..
Kudos to the LAPD,SFPD and other Law Enforcement Agencies
whom do more than simply try to HIDE the "problems".
Your efforts are not without appreciation.

Crista Sadler
San Francisco,CA

[Centurion]

Well said Andy! By the way, when was the last time you saw Pulp Fiction.

[Pigeon]

Andy Smith demonstrates once again why he enjoys the respect of the field officers. He is the type of officer that can carry himself among command staff while maintaining his credibility with patrol. Captain Smith is a true leader both as a police officer and as a member of the community. His argument is supported by fact, not by mere emotion. His statement gives support to the efforts of many people, not just the police, who are attempting to better the lives of many in a bad situation. What Ramona Ripston may have damaged in regards to public opinion, Smith provided articulable facts to repair those wounds.

My wife and I have worked with Andy Smith within the Department. I have a deep respect for him not only as a person but as a leader. He is what every field officer wishes he/she had as a commander. He carries that respect with him in his delaings with the politicians, media, and the rest of Los Angeles. His argument, given the factual evidence and his credibility throughout, should be well received by everyone. Unfortunately, Ramona Ripston will continue on in her agenda. The fortunate part is that Captain Smith will do the same. But his is a much more noble cause. That is to keep everyone, including Ripston, safer.

Andrew E. Rodriguez

[Jennie]

Nicely written response. I really do like that all of you have a place to write your opinions in response to yet another attack. I read the editorial on March 12th and then read about the major drug bust later in the week. The editorial was the same cookie cutter kind written from time to time. Just another article about how bad and evil cops are and how innocent people are being harassed for no reason. What was sweet was the drug bust pretty much proved that the LAPD knows what they are doing and doing it well. A bust that was successful because of hard working cops looking at every angle and making lots of small arrests led to something very big and very positive.

The critics are always going to be there. Fortunately, you folks are strong enough to ignore the critics and do the right thing. In addition, you folks are fortunate to have people like Estela Lopez speaking up about the positive things all of you have done in the Skid Row area. The LAPD needs more friends like her. Someone courageous enough to speak the truth. Keep up the good work folks. All of you are making a difference in the lives of the homeless by eliminating the criminal element and giving those down and out a chance to get the help they need and making a difference in general by making all of Downtown a safer place to work, live, or visit.

[Carlos Martinez]

I cant beleive Ramona Ripston is still at it. I remember her and her cronies harrassing L.A.P.D. when I was an explorer at Hollenbeck Division in the early eighties.

[Concerned Citizen]

ACLU IF IT DOESNT DIRECTLY EFFECT YOU, DONT WORRY ABOUT IT !!!!!! SIDE NOTE: MAYOR VILLARAGOSA PICKING MACK FOR LAPD POLICE COMMISSIONER IS LIKE PUTTING OSAMA BIN LADIN IN CHARGE OF THE US MILITARY.... POLICE SHOULD BE RUN BY POLICE NOT CIVILIANS !!!!!!

[Larry Rauch]

Captain Smith,
The Safer City Initative has been working and the police, Chief Bratton and the Mayor should be congratulated for a job well done. I am a member of the board of the Central City East Association and I know how hard it is to deal with the lawlessness in the area. The 85 employees of Los Angeles Cold Storage appeciate the positive change in the area and for allowing them to work in a safer, cleaner environment. All of us are supportive of your efforts and encourage you to not let the misguided "critics" deter you from helping all the area stakeholders.

[Dave]

If Ramona Ripston didn't always disagree and create waves, she would be unemployed.

To bad she can't be arrested for being a public nuisance and interference of people's daily lives in this country!!

P.S. Does the ACLU have a complaint system like that of the LAPD where we can call and complain? Or is it only the LAPD that takes complaints if an officer sneezes to close to a suspect??

[Lt. De La Torre]

Jeff,
I share your pain, officers are allowed to cite any of these violators for 27007 of the Vehicle Code. In part it reads "No driver of a vehicle shall operate or permit the operation of, any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 feet or more when the vehicle is being operated upon a highway, unless the system is being operated to request assistance or warn of a hazardous situation.

[DEV P2]

I don't know much about Captain Smith, but from the empowering article/response that he wrote, it makes me want to go work in Central Division. Its refreshing to hear a CO talk in a manner that really supports his troops. Good Job Captain Smith, we need more brass like you.

[Larry Rauch]

I don't know if you can correct it, but I wrote the blog on 3/17 that you show from a "concerned citizen" and refers to L A Cold Storage. I did not write the one on 3/19 that refers to Ramona Ripson.