Results tagged “southla”

The holiday season always means more and more DUI checkpoints. With thousands of hit-and-runs and drinking-related crashes so far this year, the LAPD has two Sobriety & Drivers License Checkpoints set up for the weekend. The first is tonight 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. at West Florence Avenue and South Main Street in South L.A. Then tomorrow from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., a checkpoint will be set up on Figueroa between 7th and 8th in downtown. Stay safe out there!

Tonight's episode of SoCal Connected on KCET will air an episode detailing how some South LA residents are being forced to pay thousands of dollars because they are in some so-called new flood zone, as determined by the all-mighty FEMA.

       

Sometimes near the corner of Arlington Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr, Boulevard you’ll see them huddled outside in the dim of the fluorescent light. They aren’t there to smoke a cigarette and it’s not an Alcoholicos Anonimos meeting. Soul food tacos are the objects they desire.

Thousands across Los Angeles are without power today, according to the L.A. Department of Water and Power. Some 20,000 customers in the greater South Los Angeles area are affected. In portions of Studio City and North Hollywood, about 1,100 customers are without power. Outages have always been reported in East Los Angeles, Mid City, and Woodland Hills. The department has increased the amount of crews working on power restoration.

October is going to be a busy month for public meetings about transportation. The city of Los Angeles is hosting a set of them on the draft master bicycle plan while Metro will gather input at a series of meetings about the Wilshire bus lanes.

Again with the flooding? Yes, as statistics go, again. No word if this is a LADWP water main break or not, but the Los Angeles Fire Department has responded to flooding at 1529 West 54th Street in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood of South LA. "There's enough water and potential to cause damage," explained LAFD spokesman Erik Scott over the phone. The street is closed between Denker and Normandie and no injuries or initial damage has been reported, he said. Two water mains broke this morning in the Mid City and Fairfax District area. Earlier this week, headlines were made in Valley Village when a fire truck sunk into the ground and when a part of Studio City was severely flooded. UPDATE: LADWP confirms a "small distribution leak" on a 6-inch cast iron main that has left 50 customers without service. Crews are in the process of shutting it down.

Although Los Angeles firefighters knocked down flames in 17 minutes at an early morning fire in Harbor Gateway, one man pronounced dead inside the home. The blaze began around 4:45 a.m. at 15925 Orchard Ave. Officials say pack rat conditions, often referred on the east coast as a Collyers' Mansion, were found inside. Back in 1999, about six people died in "pack rat" fires per year, the LA Times found. "Almost all pack rats--also known as hoarders, recyclers and clutterers--live in squalid conditions that violate Los Angeles County health and safety codes, officials say," reported the Times. "They can expose themselves and neighbors to airborne respiratory illness and diseases carried by the rodents and insects that often take refuge in pack-rat dwellings. In many cases, a pack rat's home or apartment is essentially a huge tinderbox." As for today's fire, it is unknown if the home was in code violation.

A car crash in South LA has left one person in critical condition and three others in minor condition, including two Los Angeles Police Department officers. Around 9:45 p.m. at Western and 39th Street in the King Estates neighborhood (just south of Jefferson Park), at least three cars were involved in the accident, according to the L.A. Fire Department. The conditions of the crash are not immediately known but KTLA-TV reports that the police cruiser and a SUV crashed head on. Firefighters had to free the SUV driver with jaws of life. UPDATE: ABC7-TV reports that four vehicles were involved. Two vehicles crashed into a fire hydrant and another spun out.

With less than a week left, there have been 18 gang-related homicides this month in South LA. That's already six more than July meaning close to 40 deaths in two months for one region of the city. That said, the LAPD and other agencies announced an effort today to flatten that trend. "Every spike in crime is a clue for preventative measures," said Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese, Commanding Officer, Operations-South Bureau.

As this year's lower murder rate closes in on last year's and after an especially bloody weekend (and deadly July that left around 30 dead), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief William Bratton will release a plan today that is supposed to put the damper on an increase in gang violence in central and South L.A.

The weekend left five dead in separate shootings, but one in particular caught the attention of civil rights leaders in the Hyde Park neighborhood of South LA. 17 year-old Brandon Jamal Perry was shot in the face after an occupant stepped out of a vehicle with a rifle and began shooting at him and others standing in front of a house late Saturday night. Three others were injured, but Perry died at the hospital.

That's a pretty terrifying video and LAPD detectives have released it because they need the public's help in identifying the three suspects involved. The video is from August 13th at around 2:35 a.m. when the truck was parked near Avalon Boulevard and Gage Avenue in South LA.

How many times have you placed something you don't need anymore on the sidewalk hoping it will disappear someday soon? A fridge? A bed? A mattress? A desk? If you didn't call 3-1-1 to request a free bukly item pickup, that's illegal dumping, which can be punishable with high fines or some jail time. The Department of Public Works reported today that in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year (that is, April - June of this year), 15 arrests were made, 172 administrative hearings conducted and 1,503 administrative citations were issued to Multi-Family Bulky Item illegal dumping violators. Most of the arrests were made in South LA, where the LA Times continued to investigate a massive illegal dumping problem. The department also has two online forms, one for reporting the location of illegal dumping and another to tip off investigators if you might know a suspect (there could be a $1000 reward). You can also call 3-1-1 to report illegal dumping.

Meet Tyre. He was found this morning wandering the streets of South LA. Around 8:15 a.m., officers were called to 91st Street and Stanford Avenue in the Green Meadows neighborhood regarding a found child. When officers spoke to him, he was only able to give his first name and did not know where he lived. He's about 4 years old and is wearing a sweet blue Spiderman shirt, green pants and black shoes. He was also carrying a bag of clothes. We really hope he wasn't abandoned. Officers drove around the surrounding area with Tyre in an attempt to locate the child’s family, but no such luck. Anyone with information that could assist detectives with this case is asked to call Detective Anna Rivera at (213) 972-7853 or (213)972-7813. Calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). UPDATE: At 5:21 p.m., the LAPD announced that "Tyre has been reunited with his mother. The case is being handled by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Service (DCFS)."

It was another one of those situations where witnesses say the suspects approached the victims and ask that scary gang-related question, "where you all from?” That's what happened Saturday night at Normandie Avenue and 29th Street in West Adams, near USC, when 18-year-old Martha Cruz, two cousins and a friend were waiting for a red light to turn green. A light colored four-door sedan with tinted windows pulled up next to the driver’s side of their car when the the front passenger asked the fatal question before opening fire on the car. Cruz, who was in the back seat, was hit and later died at the hospital. Detective do not have many details at this point, but if anyone knows something, contact info is below.

Last week police were simply looking for a child's step father after his body was found with unexplained injuries. Then yesterday, they announced Marcas Fisher, who has a troubled past, is the murder suspect and that anyone who was harboring him could be charge with interfering with the criminal investigation. Fisher is believed to be in the South LA or Long Beach area. Last week Thursday, officers responded to the 800 block of East 87th Place where paramedics had been summoned to an apartment residence. At the location, they found the body of Dae'von Bailey with multiple, unexplained injuries to his body in various stages of healing. The stepparent of the child was the last known caretaker of the boy, but was not at the location when paramedics and officers arrived. Anyone with info about this crime should contact LAPD Juvenile Division detectives at the Department’s 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.

Last night police responded to a home in South LA finding a the body of a young boy with unexplained injuries, which are suspected to be from child abuse. Paramedics pronounced him dead on the scene on the 800 block of 87th Place. His father, Marcas Fisher, is the last known care-taker of the boy and his whereabouts are not known. Now the LAPD's Juvenile Division is requesting the public’s help to locate Mr. Fisher, so that he can help explain the child’s injuries. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call LAPD Juvenile Division Detectives at (213) 485-2801. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

A man stabbed to death on a Hollywood sidewalk, a woman kills her son before killing herself in Highland Park, two shot dead in South LA in separate cases all made for a busy weekend for LAPD officers and detectives. Hollywood, Saturday, 10:50 p.m.: A passerby on Santa Monica Blvd. notice a man lying on the sidewalk and call police. Police arrive to find a victim, still alive and described as a male White, transient, approximately 50-years-old. He's rushed off to the hospital where he died. While police do not know the motive behind the murder, they do believe it is not gang related.

A small plane carrying three people crashed this afternoon near the Hawthorne Airport off the 105 freeway, according to KNX1070. "Hawthorne Municipal Airport, also known as Jack Northrop Field, is an FAA-designated general aviation reliever airport owned by the City of Hawthorne," according to its webpage. It's located at 12101 S. Crenshaw Boulevard.

After a four year search, police have finally caught up with a suspect for a July 2005 gang-related shooting death in South LA. Dion Hays, known as "Solo" on the streets, was arrested on June 29 in Lancaster by LAPD and US Marshals working together on a task force. The 2005 incident left Andre Williams dead in an alley near the 700 block of East Florence Avenue. Apparently, he was chased down by two people, Hays allegedly being on of them, and was shot several times, leaving him dead. Hays, a 79 Swan Family Blood gang member, has bail set at $3 million.

Margaret Prescod, a KPFK radio host and founder of the Black Coalition Fighting Back Serial Murders, announced a new campaign last week to inform the community about the notorious Grim Sleeper, who has alluded police for over 20 years, killing at least 11 since 1985 and most recently in 2007. The Stop the Serial Murders Community Information Campaign will flyer the community with information about the murders in hopes that someone knows something or at least connects the dots and contacts police. "People don't know much about the murders," Prescod told the LA Weekly. "These murders have not been a priority of [Police Chief William] Bratton, the mayor and most of the media." Making it harder to spread the word, this campaign was announced as Michael Jackson's death took the world by storm. Christine Pelisek, who broke the serial killer's story, faithfully attended the press conference.

After years of gang-related activity around Fremont High School in South LA, the state and city filed an injunction last Friday, seeking to restrict four gangs from the area for the majority of the day. “These brutally violent street gangs have indiscriminately terrorized students who simply wanted to travel to and from school,” said Attorney General Brown, who filed the case with LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. “This first-of-its-kind injunction would create a gang-free zone around Fremont High School that shields students from violence, intimidation and drug trafficking.”

If you can't seem to understand that you shouldn't drink and drive, this weekend you might learn your lesson. In fact the LAPD is conducting a DUI checkpoint in such a high traffic and popular spot tomorrow evening, we're sure it's going to end with a lot of people in jail for the evening (hint: take the Red Line). And tonight in two South LA and in the Harbor area, the LAPD will be conducting sobriety saturation patrols. Point being, stop the tomfoolery, the LAPD is on the look out, even in areas not mentioned here.

It's been a long five year process--sometimes nasty--but yesterday marked the beginning steps in transforming a former blighted Metro bus yard into the South Los Angeles Wetlands Park, located on Avalon Blvd north of Slauson. Expected to be completed by 2011, the first phase of the wetland park will feature the passive park elements followed a rail museum and community meeting space in phase two. The space will also act as an outdoor classroom.

Yesterday morning at 2 a.m., 46-year-old Sheila Tudmon was in the street, presumably crossing, when she was struck by a black SUV that left the scene without rendering aid. She was later transported to the hospital where she died. The incident happened around 2 a.m. on Tudmon Street, near Arlington Avenue and 37th Street. Detectives need help on this one, more info is below:

Some people agree with DUI checkpoints and some hate them. Well instead of setting one up in the LAPD's Southwest Division tonight, they're doing a saturation patrol, meaning the area will be flooded with cops on the look out for drunk drivers. The division covers the the area just southwest of downtown including the USC campus (.pdf map). Compared to last year, the division has experienced a 32 percent increase in Driving Under the Influence related traffic collisions this year. The patrol will take place between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. | UPDATE, 4:38 p.m.: LAPD will also saturate the Newton Division, which covers the south part of downtown and south of the 10 Freeway (Photo: Ross Reyes)

       

On Saturday night, Lenora Claire invites everyone to the World of Wonder Storefront Gallery closing night party for her show Bettie Page: Heaven Bound. The night will feature signings by the artist Olivia and a Bettie Page look-a-like contest.

       

LA has a diverse cast of characters. Whether it's the characters with stirring stories or interesting occupations or the people who are just simply characters, this town has them all. In an effort to get to know some of those characters a little better, we've created "Seven Questions with..." If you have a suggestion for a future Seven Questions subject send us an email.

Last night, NPR's Hidden Kitchens mavens, the Kitchen Sisters, brought in a full house at the California Endowment for a talk exploring the way a desire to better our lives can bring people together and inspire tremendous change, as part of an evening called "Who Glues Your Community Together through Food?"

A USC Annenberg School reporting project was one of eight community journalism initiatives to be awarded $25,000 in grant money from the Knight Foundation's New Voices program, the Institute for Interactive Journalism announced today.