CommentsRantZ and RaveZ - As we arrive at 2022, I want to welcome back the readers of RantZ and RaveZ.
The twice a month reflection of the past and observations of the future by a native Angeleno who is approaching 54 years of service with the LAPD; a former elected L.A. City Charter Commissioner, and 12 - year elected member of the L.A. City Council. l will reflect a little on the past and what the future has in store for us living in the Los Angeles region of Southern California.
California was known as the “Golden State” for many years. Many believe that the “Gold” has become tarnished over the last number of years by poor, ineffective and corrupt political leadership generating Sacramento to some local city halls including Los Angeles. The FBI has been at work investigating corruption and indicting multiple elected and high-ranking appointed L.A. City Officials. These investigations have become well known to those engaged in and around the political system in Los Angeles and beyond by the media.
Members of the California State Legislature and Governor have been pushing to clear out the state prisons by reducing the consequences of criminal activity. The impact has caused increased crime and angry business owners and residents throughout California. Reducing the consequences and holding people responsible of their criminal activity has been ineffective in reforming those that commit crime. Watering down many of the criminal laws has only contributed to the increasing crime trends throughout California. If you steal items valued under $950.00 there is basically no consequences for your actions. If you happen to get arrested for most crimes, you may be booked and released and directed to court in weeks if not months. The old system of posting Bail to ensure your appearance in court was for the most part eliminated by Sacramento politicians. If you have nothing to lose, why not continue to commit crimes since there are currently no real consequences for your behavior.
Now that the large commercial business operators have been impacted by crime along with local shops, Governor Newsom has been pushed to do something to address the problem. The Governor acted by establishing the California Highway Patrol as the lead agency dealing with organized theft rings operating in California. The California Highway Patrol is the California State Public Safety Agency responsible for keeping our highways safe along with the commercial trucking industry, School Bus and other modes of transportation safe and regulated. When CHP personnel are diverted to crime duties usually handled by local police agencies, our state highways suffer with reduced patrols, inspections, and enforcement. The Governor has promised to allocate more than $300 million to combat the increasing crimes in California. If and when that happens, how many more crimes will be committed and how many more victims will be impacted by the increasing crime trends in California while the Governor and other elected officials try and figure out a solution to the problem. They may begin by strengthening the laws and establishing consequences for violating the law.
As we closed the year 2021, the LAPD Crime Stats reflect growing problems with little solutions.
The LAPD Total number of Sworn Personnel as of 12/4/2021 is at 9,521.
The LAPD Total number of Sworn Personnel on 1/4/2020 was 10,073.
The end of the year LAPD Crime Stats will be published in a few weeks and I will report them when posted.
As of 12/25/21, the LAPD crime statistics are as follows:
2019 vs 2021 Statistics
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Homicide is +50.8%. 389 People killed.
Aggravated Assaults +15.4%. 19,579 Victims.
GTA +53.6%. 23,797 Vehicles Stolen.
Shots Fired. +58%. 3319
Shooting Victims. +54.3%. 1436 Victims Shot.
Arrests are down -27.5%.
Tragedy in North Hollywood at the Burlington Clothing Store.
911 Calls to the LAPD Dispatch generated Radio Calls to North Hollywood and other units. “ADW in Progress attacking females, Women Down, Man with a Gun.”
The units responded and upon arrival met by a number of witnesses who told officers of a man attacking shoppers.
The units deployed and began to search for the suspect. We all know how the situation ended. The suspect was shot and killed and young 14 -year- old Valentina Orellana-Peralta who was in a dressing room behind a wall with her mother was also struck by a round and died. A terrible ending to a very tragic situation.
We know, there have been shootings inside department stores and malls around the country. We expect our police officers to risk their lives to protect us. Officers encounter danger on a daily basis. Before you join the choir calling for the arrest of the officer involved, put yourself in his position of doing his job of rushing to the scene to protect people. The officer will live with this tragedy for the rest of his life.
So Long Betty White
Many RantZ and RaveZ readers grew up watching Betty White on TV. I have been a fan for many years. The grace, humor and personality of the Hollywood Star was everlasting. Always that bright smile and funny personality. January 17 would have been Betty’s 100th Birthday.
(Dennis P. Zine is a former and retired LAPD Supervisor, former and retired 12-year Los Angeles City Councilman and current General Manager at Bell Canyon in Ventura County. Photo: Rich Pedroncelli/Associated Press.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.)
