LAPD Blog

Dog Abuser Gets Jail Time

Los Angeles: A tragic situation of a puppy abused has been made better by the sentencing of the abusive owner and the dog’s adoption by a local family.

Last August, Isaak Gowhari, 34, surrendered his 7-month-old Doberman Pincer, Gracie, to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter.  The dog had newly broken ribs, and evidence of healed ribs.  She had injuries to her leg, snout and head.

"Gowhari told the animal shelter workers that he was surrendering the dog because his hands hurt from hitting the animal," said Los Angeles Animal Control Officer Ernesto Poblano, a member of the Los Angeles Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF).  "We were notified because Gowhari lived in Woodland Hills."

Task force members investigated Gowhari for animal cruelty.  The Los Angeles City Attorney filed misdemeanor charges against Gowhari and he was arrested on November 16, 2006.

Gracie was placed with a foster family rather than in a kennel while she recovered from her injuries.  One photograph, released by investigators, shows Gracie’s snout taped shut by Gowhari to keep the dog from biting him.  In another photograph, two of Gracie’s legs were bandaged.

"At times, Gowhari did get Gracie medical care for the injuries he inflicted, but he apparently did not follow up on treatments and the injuries became aggravated and did not heal," Poblano said.

Gowhari pled guilty to the charges on April 5, 2007, and he was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, 45 days of public service with Cal Trans, 48 hours of counseling, and 36 months of probation.  He is prohibited from owning or possessing an animal for three years.

Gowhari's conviction opened the way for Gracie to be adopted by a new family in the San Fernando Valley.  "Gracie has made a full recovery and is doing very well," Poblano said.

The ACTF is made up of Los Angeles police officers, detectives, and Animal Service officers from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.  They investigate human cruelty against animals.

Persons interested in the Department of Animals Service's foster babies program can call 888-452-7381.

Reports of animal cruelty can be reported to the ACTF at 213-847-1417.

A media availability has been set up with Gracie, the former foster family, the newly adopted family, and the officers who worked the case:  2:30 PM to 3:30 PM at the West Los Angeles Shelter, 11950 Missouri Avenue, CA  90025.

Police Commission Weekly Meeting

Notes from the April 3, 2025 Police Commission Weekly Meeting

•    65 new recruits were added on Monday, April 2, 2007.

•    General Services, Port of Los Angeles and Airport Police cadets will all be trained together in the LAPD Academy, per a new agreement.

•    LAPD currently has 273 recruits, which is a 56% increase over this time last year.  The goal for this year is 650 total, but it is projected there could be as many as 740 by year’s end.

•    There are currently 752 officers signed up for the DROP Program.

•    On Wednesday, April 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Chief Bratton will hold a news conference to discuss gang crime statistics

•    Chief Bratton and Mayor Villaraigosa were in Washington D.C. last week for a series of meetings that were deemed successful, including one with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

•    The Pelican 7060 LED Flashlight has been approved. The flashlight is the end result of design suggestions made by the 150 LAPD officers who participated in the design process.

•    On Monday, April 2, 2007, Chief Bratton officially notified the Commission of his desire for reappointment as Chief of Police, following protocol outlined by City Charter Section 575 (c).  A public hearing will be held on the Chief’s reappointment.  The date will be announced soon.

•    A discussion of the new Police Headquarters Facility, new jail facility and current health and safety issues related to the Police Administration Building was continued until next week’s meeting.

•    The Department’s report requesting proposals for the Alarm and Permit Management System to maximize efficiency of permitting alarm systems and to track and bill false alarm responses was approved.

•    Police Commission Vice President Alan J. Skobin’s report and Inspector General Andre Birotte’s report on the audit of the Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Section were both approved.  Counter Terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau was commended for its good work and was acknowledged as being a leader in the field.  CTCIB’s Deputy Chief Mark Leap and Captain Gary Williams, on the eve of their retirements, spoke at the meeting and were commended for their long careers and excellent hard work.

•    The Department’s report on the Initiation of Complaints Audit for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006/2007, and the Executive Summary, were both approved.

•    The Department’s report pertaining to the Hunter-La Ley Quarterly Report for deployment periods 10-13 in fiscal year 2006/2007 was approved.

COMPSTAT Citywide Profile

Crime Statistics March 31, 2007

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

VIOLENT CRIMES                 2007*            2006*         % Chg

Homicide                                82                 107             -23%
Rape                                     157               219              -28%
Robbery                               3265             3410               -4%
Agg Assaults **                     2934             3220               -9%
Total Violent Crimes          6,438           6,956              -7%

PROPERTY CRIMES

Burglary                                4,720            4,889            -4%
Auto Theft                            5,898            6,067            -3%
BTFV                                     7,783            7,608             2%
Personal/Other Theft             6,272            6,757            -7%
Total Property Crimes       24,673        25,321             -3%
Total Part I Crimes            31,111        32,277             -4%

* Both 2007 and 2006 crime categories represent Year-To-Date figures.  The 2006 figures are not annual totals. 

** Prior to 2005, Aggravated Assaults included Child/Spousal Simple Assaults

Father and Son Die in Traffic Collision

Los Angeles: A 67-year-old Pacific Palisades man and his 22-year-old son were killed by a drunken motorist early Wednesday morning.

According to police, Hector Velazques-Nava, 24, was driving a 2007 GMC Yukon northbound on Pacific Coast Highway near Bay Club Drive when his car veered into the southbound lane and crashed into a 1997 Infinity Q30, driven by Robert Clark.

Clark and his son, Ariel Hanrath-Clark, both died at the scene.

"Both occupants were wearing their seatbelts," said LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon. "The firemen worked frantically to rescue Clark and his son, but the damage was too catastrophic.”

Velasquez-Nava and his 29-year-old female passenger were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  The woman was later released.

Once he is released from the hospital, Velasquez-Nava will be booked for gross vehicular manslaughter and driving without a license.

Robert Clark was a well-known Hollywood movie director.

Investigators are asking for any witnesses who saw the collision to call West Traffic detectives at 213-473-0234.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Man Dies From Gang-Related Shooting

Los Angeles: A 27-year-old man shot Sunday, died at a local hospital on Tuesday.

The gang shooting happened shortly after 4:15 p.m., in the 5400 block of Geer Street.

According to police, Erik Salazar was walking on a sidewalk when a gunman fired several shots at him from a passing dark-colored vehicle.                                    

Investigators have no suspect or vehicle information and a few leads.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau Homicide detectives Young Mun or Mike Dickson at  213-485-1383.  On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Skid Row Walk

Los Angeles: Last night, Councilmember Jan Perry, Captain Andy Smith, community leaders, volunteers and several Central Area officers participated in the monthly Skid Row Neighborhood Watch Walk. The walk is the result of a collaborative effort between Councilmember Perry, LAPD, the Central City East Association, Skid Row residents, state and county legislators, service providers and many others seeking to affect positive quality of life changes in the area. The walk was conducted as an outreach effort to those living on the streets. Representatives from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority were present, offering transportation to shelter and services for homeless individuals. These monthly walks take place on the first Wednesday of every month.

Quarterly Report on Gang Initiative

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Police Chief William Bratton hosted a briefing of local law enforcement leaders to review and discuss the first quarter results of the Department's 2007 Gang Enforcement Initiatives, which were unveiled in February.

About 40 leaders from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as city, state and federal prosecutors met in the same room at the L.A. Mart, where Chief Bratton holds weekly COMPSTAT meetings. The one-hour meeting ended at 10:00 a.m. with a news conference with Mayor Villaraigosa, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, District Attorney Steve Cooley, City Councilman Jack Weiss and representatives of the various federal and state agencies supporting the initiative.

“The determined focus on gangs is paying dividends already,” said Chief Bratton. “While citywide crime categories are down 4%, gang crime, which is made up of twelve categories, is down 12%. All of us here today are committed to keeping the focus on this initiative, and we encourage the community to join us by providing information on gang activity.”

In the San Fernando Valley, where gang crime rose 40% last year, it began trending down in January. While trending down month-to-month, gang crime was still two points above the first quarter of 2006. The actual increase was six crimes. Chief Bratton noted that the twelve categories of gang crime account for only about 5% of the city's violent crime. There were 1,604 gang crimes during the first three months, versus 31,111 Part I crimes. It should be noted that historically, the San Fernando Valley has one of the lowest rates for gang crime in Los Angeles, registering just over two gang crimes for every 10,000 residents. By comparison, South Los Angeles has three times the gang crime, or seven gang crimes per 10,000 residents.

Crimes committed by the top-targeted eleven gangs dropped 15% compared to last year, and arrests of the gangs' members rose 36%, amounting to 456 arrests. The 257 gang crimes committed by those eleven gangs across the city in the first quarter amounted to less than 1% of all major crimes.

Commenting on the statistics, Chief Bratton said, “I am particularly pleased with the reduction in first quarter gang-related homicides from 66 in 2006 to 36 for 2007, a 45% reduction. Victims of gang-related shootings went from 339 in the first quarter of 2006 to 254 this year, a 25% reduction.”

Chief Bratton also thanked all of the partners in the still-evolving set of coordinated initiatives, noting: “We would not be achieving these results without the political leadership and focus on this issue by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and the commitment and support of our partners throughout the law enforcement community.”

Beth Barrett Of The "Daily News" Got It Wrong In Her Story About The LAPD's Anti-Terrorism Intelligence Section

In spite of Beth Barrett's story, which appeared in the Tuesday edition of the "Daily News," the LAPD's Anti-Terrorist Intelligence Section (ATIS) does not "skirt the law."  As a matter of fact, had Barrett bothered to check she would have discovered that the LAPD Standards and Procedures governing the collection of intelligence information are some of the most stringent guidelines in the nation.  They even exceed those imposed on federal intelligence agencies.  It is also important to note that these Standards and Procedures are not codified in any law as the "Daily News" suggested in its headline.  Rather, they are a collection of procedures the LAPD has voluntarily adopted and works very hard to abide by.  The Department's efforts in this regard were recognized by the Police Commission in its April 3, 2025 meeting.  Which, by the way, Barrett did not bother to attend.  Had she done so, she would have heard Police Commission Vice President Alan Skobin commend the Department for an overall excellent review during the recently concluded Police Commission audit.  The Commission found no evidence whatsoever of any unlawful acts or intentional subversions of the Standards and Procedures.  That finding was echoed by Inspector General Andre Birotte and an ACLU staff attorney who spoke after Skobin delivered his remarks.  While the audit did identify some areas where the Department could do a better job of documenting information, these omissions were relatively minor and a far cry from the headline that appeared in the "Daily News."

Deputy Chief Mark Leap
Commanding Officer
Counter-terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau

Commander Terry S. Hara Receives Cherry Blossom Festival Leadership Award

Chief Bratton looked on proudly as Commander Terry S. Hara received the 2007 Cherry Blossom Festival’s Senator Daniel Inouye Leadership Award.  The award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations whose accomplishments and commitment to giving back has had a lasting impact on the community.

Commander Hara is not only touted in the Asian and Pacific Islander community for being the LAPD’s highest ranking Asian American officer, but is also well respected for his work on the Board of Directors of both the Los Angeles Police Historical Society and California Peace Officers Association, Region 10.  He is also past President of the Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles and current Vice President of the Nisei Week Foundation.

When accepting his award, Commander Hara remarked the most rewarding part of his career has been his involvement with the community.  Chief Bratton also praised Commander Hara’s dedication and stated “He is setting an example for all those who come behind him.”

LAPD Ranks Swell

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department graduated a class of 37 new officers today at the Elysian Park Police Academy.  The ceremony follows one day after Mayor Villaraigosa and Police Chief William Bratton announced success in recruiting and hiring goals.

The city is on track to hire more police officers this fiscal year than any other year since the middle of the 1990s, when nearly 700 officers were hired.  Last fiscal year, the goal was to hire 720 officers, but the actual number reached 603.  With attrition, the net gain last fiscal year was 117 more officers, resulting an average sworn strength of 9,225 officers.

Recruiting efforts this fiscal year have put LAPD ahead of its projected hiring goal of 650 officers.  By the end of June, the Department expects to hire 730 officers to end the fiscal year.  Sworn strength rose this year above 9,500 for the first time since November 1999.

Hiring projections estimate the LAPD to reach a 10,000-officer high in the year 2009.

For the coming fiscal year, the LAPD is projecting to hire 780 new officers, to be trained in 13 academy classes of 60 officers.  A new class will begin every four weeks.

A number of recruitment and testing dates have been scheduled at local community and California State college campuses.  Dates and locations can be found at JoinLAPD.com.

Anyone interested in applying to be an LAPD officer can call 866-444-LAPD.

Korean Elderly Woman Found

 

Update

At about 5:00PM Wilshire officers advised, Ms. Kim was returned to her board care home located Manhattan Place and Pico Boulevard.

Los Angeles:  An elderly Korean woman was found wondering in South Los Angeles Sunday Morning.

On April 1, 2007, at about 10:00 A.M., Kye Soon Kim was found wondering lost the area of Crenshaw Boulevard and Washington Boulevard.

Ms. Kim is 5 feet tall, 130-140 lbs., 75-80 years of age.  She is wearing a orange jacket, burgundy pants, black and silver cane with her name on it, gold necklace with a cross charm, silver and black bracelet.  Ms. Kim does not have any identification.

Anyone with information is asked to call Wilshire Police Station at 213-473-0476. 

Chief Bratton Inspects High School Police Academy Cadets

Los Angeles:  Chief Bratton inspected Cadet Class 607 of the James Monroe High School Police Academy this morning on their campus in North Hills. Monroe is a Police Academy Magnet School in the LAUSD, designed to help steer interested students toward careers in law enforcement. At this morning’s inspection, Chief Bratton commended the cadets on their excellent appearance and complimented their willingness to take on the discipline and responsibility of a police cadet program at this stage of their young lives. The chief acknowledged the temptations available to the Los Angeles teenager today and compared resisting these temptations to running a gauntlet. He told the cadets he admired their courage, strength and perseverance and encouraged them to finish the program and, hopefully, consider the LAPD when it is time to begin their careers in law enforcement.

The Monroe High School Police Academy Magnet is 11 years old and has helped place 24 graduates into law enforcement careers. Currently, there are 4 graduates of the program employed as Community Police Aides with the LAPD, and 2 more are being processed to join.

A Violent Weekend Leaves Three Dead

Los Angeles:  Three men died over the weekend in three apparent separate gang related shootings.

The first call came in Saturday, March 31, 2007, at about 11:20 P.M., Kurtis Livingston, 19, was walking in the 1900 block of West Jefferson Boulevard. An unidentified suspect driving a light color vehicle stopped alongside Livingston. The suspect fired multiple rounds fatally striking Livingston.

The second murder occurred Sunday, April 1, around 1:00 A.M., when Luis Romo, 21, was walking in the alley near Soto Street and Boulder Street. An unknown suspect driving a silver or gray sports utility truck approached Romo and shot him in the chest. Romo ran away and jumped a chain link fence, where he collapsed and died in the front yard of a nearby house.

The final homicide of the weekend occurred on Sunday, April 1, 2007, at about 2:15 A.M., when Anthony Preston Jones, 38, was standing in the alley near the 4400 block of Santo Tomas Drive. Jones was confronted by a male Black suspect. The suspect fired multiple rounds, fatally striking Jones. The suspect left the area in a late model Toyota.

Detectives are asking for the public's help in solving these murders.

Anyone with information is asked to call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

Motel Shooting

Los Angeles: A man was shot to death in a motel parking lot in south Los Angeles early Sunday morning.

On April 1, 2007, at 1:00 A.M., Gerald Anthony Jones, 33, was dropping off his companions at the Cornett Motel located in the 6300 block of South Crenshaw Boulevard. A few moments later, the suspect, a male Black arrived with a female companion and attempted to rent a room. When he was told there were no more rooms available, the suspect became angry and returned to his truck. The man then called Jones over to him and as Jones walked to the pickup the suspect shot him in the chest.

Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced Jones dead.

The suspect is described as a male Black, about 5'7 tall, heavy build, and approximately 30 years old. The woman was described as a female Black about 35 years old. The suspect was driving a newer model black Ford F-150, crew cab with possible paint transfer to the right front and right side bumper.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective David Craig of Operations-South Bureau Criminal Gang/Homicide at 213-485-1383. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).