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Honor Him: Funeral Route & Street Closures for LAPD SWAT Officer Randal Simmons
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Last week Wednesday night, February 6, 2007, Veteran Officer Randy Simmons was killed upon entering the home of a gunman who reported to have shot three family members. This was the first casualty in the 41-year history of the LAPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
Funeral arrangements for Simmons are scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome, 7901 S. Vermont Ave. (marked above with the green arrow). The Interment immediately following will be at Holy Cross Cemetary, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City (marked above with a blue pin). Live TV coverage will be at 10 a.m. on NBC4 and 11 a.m. on CBS2.
The City of LA, Department of Transportation (LADOT) has announced the closure of several South Los Angeles streets before, during and after the funeral and procession:
- Vermont Ave. will be closed between Manchester Ave. and Florence Ave. from 5:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and; between Florence Ave and Slauson Ave. between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- Slauson Ave. will be closed between Vermont Ave. and the City limit West of Buckler Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as well.
- Traffic Officers will be stationed throughout the route of the funeral procession opening intersections for local traffic as soon as possible. The following street intersections will remain open for most of the day allowing traffic to cross up until the procession arrives/departs: Vermont and: Gage & Florence | Slausen and: Normandie, Crenshaw, West, Western, Arlington/Van Ness & Angeles Vista/Buckler
"We mourn the loss of this outstanding police officer and very special human being. People not participating in Officer Randal Simmons' service or interment, should avoid the area, as some Southside streets will experience intermittent closures on Friday" said LADOT General Manager Rita L. Robinson in a statement released yesterday. For the public transit inclined, Metro's information on bus detours are below.Metro Bus Detours
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Several Metro Bus Lines servicing South Los Angeles, west of the Harbor Freeway, will be temporarily detoured or may encounter service delays due to the funeral services planned for LAPD SWAT Police Officer Randal Simmons on Friday, Feb. 15.
Beginning at 5 a.m., Metro Bus Lines 204 and 754, normally operating on Vermont Avenue will be detoured using Figueroa Street between Manchester Boulevard and Vernon Avenue. Also beginning at 5 a.m. Metro Bus Line 206, which operates along Normandie Avenue will be detoured using Figueroa Street between Century Boulevard and Vernon Avenue.
Metro Bus Lines 40, 42, 108, 110, 111, 207, 209, 210, 212, 305, 358, 710, 711, 740 and 757 will be detoured around various street closures planned in South Los Angeles starting at approximately 12:30 p.m. during the funeral procession immediately following the service.
All Metro Bus Lines will be returned to regular routing schedules as soon as possible by late afternoon. Metro apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the street closures and detours during this time.
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