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Elections 2024: Rep. Robert Garcia faces 3 challengers for Congressional District 42

Sat, 03 Feb 2024 07:30:51 +0000

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, who became the first openly LGBTQ immigrant in U.S. House of Reprentatives last year, will begin his bid to retain California’s 42nd Congressional District seat by coming out on top — or at least the top two — in the March 5 primary election against three other candidates.

Garcia rose to the national spotlight in 2022 after serving as the first Latino and first openly gay mayor in Long Beach’s history, will face two Democrats, Joaquin Beltran and Nicole Lopez, and Republican John Briscoe — who will likely be his main adversary.

The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Garcia is an overwhelming favorite in the primary race, with Briscoe likely to come second, based on results from the 2022 primary and general election. Briscoe surprised political observers with 26% of the vote in that primary.

Beltran and Lopez, the latter of whom did not respond to requests for comment, also competed in the 2022 primary — though they finished with single-digit percentages.

Garcia also has more campaign cash on hand than his opponents. He had about $541,109 at the end of 2023, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Briscoe had nearly $250,000 in cash, but that sum was a personal loan from him to his campaign.

Lopez had 1,231 in cash on hand at the end of the year, according to the FEC, while Beltran did not have any campaign finance documents available.

The 42nd Congressional District includes Downey, Long Beach, Lakewood, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Bell, Huntington Park, Florence, Cudahy, Maywood, Bellflower, Lakewood, Walnut Park, Signal Hill and Avalon.

The district had 399,277 registered voters as of Jan. 5, according to the California Secretary of State’s office. Of those, about 54% were registered Democrats, compared to about 17% Republicans. About 21.5% had no party preference. The rest were registered with smaller political parties.

Rep. Robert Garcia

Garcia, in a phone interview on Thursday, Feb. 1, said his first year as a congressmember has been a great one. He said he’s honored to represent the same communities he’s worked with regionally for a long time, particularily in the southeast portion of Los Angeles County.

“Being mayor of one of the largest cities in Califonia has been absolutely beneficial,” Garcia said. “I understand how government works. I feel I know what the community needs and what neighborhoods need.”

Safety, climate change and infrastructure are some of the most important issues in District 42, Garcia said.

He’s particularly proud of securing $238 million in federal funds for the Port of Long Beach, which will help create jobs, enhance rail operations and reduce pollution.

As co-chair of the Congressional Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security Caucus, he’s made the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles a priority, Garcia said.

Protecting democracy, meanwhile, is high on Garcia’s list of priorities should he win a second term.

“I’ve taken on some of the most extreme voices in (Washington), D.C.,” Garcia said.

Garcia was a key leader in expelling George Santos from Congress late last year, after an ethics report revealed the Republican used campaign donations for personal use.

And in his role as president of the 36 Democratic freshmen congressmembers, Garcia said, he’s also been able to demonstrate his leadership skills.

He’s a coalition builder, Garcia said, and leadership skills translate to whether you are guiding peers in Washington, D.C., or working with constitiuents.

“I believe in being honest and in justice for all people,” Garcia said. “The responsibility of government is to help people and people who need help the most.”

Many people in his district and throughout the country, Garcia said, are still feeling the impacts of a slowly improving economy. Inflation is a factor and the cost of housing is still incredibly high.

There’s a lot of work left to do, he said, but there is definitely good momemtum in those areas.

Other priorities for Garcia are continuing to bring back money for health care, pandemic prevention, LGBTQ rights and strenghtening the economy.

Overall, Garcia said, he loves the opportunity to represent his hometown in Congress.

“We’re working hard every day to get as much federal support as possible,” Garcia said. “I’m driven by that every day.”

John Briscoe

Briscoe, a Republican business owner and youth advocate, described himself as the “antithesis” of Garcia in a phone interview on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

The incumbent, Briscoe said, is syncophatic toward President Joe Biden and doesn’t veer from the Democratic party line.

Briscoe is running again because prices are too high, he said, pointing to gas and food costs, though the former has gone down in recent weeks.

“The real costs are up 30% over the last three years,” Briscoe said. “Nobody got pay increases by that much.”

Inflation, Briscoe said, is “a nasty, stick the federal finger in your pocketbook and pluck the money out” proposition.

The Republican challenger is also keen on protecting parental rights, he said. It’s horrible, Briscoe said, that some parents don’t know specifics about what their children are learning in school. And, the longtime Huntington Beach-area school board member said, he believes in public school choice. No matter where you live, he said, you have the right to send children to a school in a good district.

“All of our teachers are good,” Briscoe said, “all of our schools are good, but they’re not all the same.”

Briscoe, if elected, would also advocate for family safety, he said. That, he said, “means the homeless problem.”

“I look over the cesspool of people who are in just deep, dire need of help,” he said of his Long Beach office window, which overlooks people experiencing homelessness.

To solve the issue, Briscoe said, he would “make an affirmative effort to identify people who are under the influence and go through and do a sweep.” People would be given three choices, he said: pay a $300 fine, go to jail or go to a rehabilitation facility.

The problem, Briscoe said, is that when President Ronald Reagan reduced funding for mental health institutions in 1981 and “turned everyone out on the street, the money didn’t follow them to give them treatment.”

Something dramatic has to be done to help people, Briscoe said.

Briscoe said he’ll focus his campaign on the northern portion of District 42, which includes cities such as Downey, Bellflower and Cudahy.

His path to victory, he said, is the family man.

“If it’s true that Hispanic voters are listening a little harder,” Briscoe said, “then my messaging will be heard loudly by those people.”

The Republican challenger was also characteristically critical of the current Congress, calling them “feckless and spineless” and saying they are “spending like a drunken soldier.”

Joaquin Beltran

Beltran is a software and community organizer who said Congress should be funding food, gas, rent and health care instead of financing overseas conflicts.

He’s running again, he said during a Wednesday, Jan. 31, phone interview, because “there is such urgency to making sure that our future is better than the current politicians are making it out to be.”

It’s important, he said, for politicians to be direct, have a vision and to have leadership where “people aren’t playing games.”

Beltran advocated beginning in May 2023 for LA County to bring masks back into health care settings, he said. And in December, the public health department, indeed, brought the rule back.

Besides prioritizing health care as a priorty, Beltran also said bringing prices down and fixing the economy is important. And those go hand-in-hand. When people are healthier, he said, the economy is healthier.

“The American dream has, unfortunately, become undone,” Beltran said. “For me, it’s all tied together. It’s a web of health and prosperity. If someone could have a lot of money, they would definitely trade their money to have their health.”

Beltran, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, stressed they had to work harder to get resources than non-immigrants.

“Government needs to create an environment for people to thrive,” Beltran said, adding there needs to be better and more accessible health care for all.

Beltran said he doesn’t think anything has gotten better in District 42 over the last few years. Small business owners are out of business, people can’t afford to pay rent, there are job losses. Unlike career politicians, he said, he’s willing to “be direct, to be clear and to have a stated vision and goals.”

Many politicians, Beltran said, wait until the timing is right before acting. He wouldn’t do that, he said.

Beltran wants people to understand how much power the little guy holds, saying “every action they take, no matter how small they think it is, it makes a huge difference.

“It all adds up,” Beltran said, “and we really need them because we need better people in office.”

Nicole Lopez

Lopez is a nonprofit employee who is running on a platform of “Medicare for all,” supporting the Green New Deal and implementing comprehensive immigration reform, according to her campaign website.

The Democrat did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

But on her website, the challenger wrote that she is fighting for “everyday Americans,” and giving voice to migrant workers and others who have been left out of the decision making rooms on Capitol HIll.

Congressional District 42

Candidates: Democrats Joaquin Beltran, Robert Garcia and Nicole Lopez, and Republican John Briscoe.

Term length: Two years.

District boundaries: Downey, Long Beach, Lakewood, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Bell, Huntington Park, Florence, Cudahy, Maywood, Bellflower, Lakewood, Walnut Park, Signal Hill and Avalon.

Registered voters: 399,277, as of Jan. 5, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.

Key issues: Inflation, healthcare, homelessness, education.

Information: lavote.gov.

About the 2024 statewide primary election

Election Day: March 5, 2024. Polls close at 8 p.m.

Early voting: You can vote at the Los Angeles County registrar’s office beginning Monday, Feb. 5. The registrar’s headquarters are at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 3002, in Norwalk. That office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Vote-by-mail: Ballots began going out on Thursday, Feb. 1. You can submit VBMs in three ways: By mailing them to the registrar’s office (VBMs include return envelopes with the correct address and postage already included); by placing them in an official drop box; or by dropping them off at any county Vote Center.

VBM deadline: VBMs sent via mail must arrive no later than seven days after the election, but they must be postmarked by March 5. The deadline to place VBMs in a drop box or deliver them to a Vote Center is 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Vote Centers: Vote Centers open 10 days before Election Day. This year, that’s Saturday, Feb. 24. You can vote at any Vote Center in Los Angeles County. Prior to Election Day, the Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, they will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

About the ballots: In California, the order races are listed on ballots goes from local to federal, meaning the nominees for president will be listed at the bottom. Except for presidential races, California’s primaries for “partisan” offices – now known as “voter-nominated offices” have a top-two system. That means the top two vote getters in a given race advance to the general election, regardless of political party.

To find a drop box or Vote Center and for more information: lavote.gov.

What’s in a name? Funding, acceptance, as public votes to rename Metro project in LA County

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:23:33 +0000

For the first time in LA Metro history, the public will be choosing a new name for a proposed multibillion dollar light rail project.

The public began casting votes on Wednesday, Nov. 15 to rename the ill-named, 19.3-mile West Santa Ana Branch, which would take riders from Artesia to downtown Los Angeles. The line has nothing to do with Santa Ana and would not go to Orange County.

It would be a first of its kind train line that connects working class communities in southeast L.A. County to downtown Los Angeles.

LA Metro launched the renaming in August after board members said the name West Santa Ana Branch was misleading and may have caused state and federal agencies to skip funding for the project. Building the light rail line will cost close to $9 billion. Metro has set aside about $4 billion.

It is planned to run through the cities of Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon, unincorporated Florence-Graham and eventually, to Union Station. The route roughly flows between the 110 and 5 freeways.

The name stems from an historic L.A. County right-of-way from the defunct Pacific Electric system that once reached the city of Santa Ana in Orange County. Many have criticized the name used for the last 10 years, including Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass who said it is confusing and sounds like an Orange County project.

Metro received 1,200 new name ideas for the project from 1,000 members of the public, including entrees from France and Ireland, said Mark Dierking, of Metro community relations. He said the new name may help Metro present a clearer case for federal funding.

“Folks felt when we go for federal funding it wasn’t catching people’s attention; they thought they were giving money to Orange County or to Santa Ana,” Dierking said.

A panel of judges whittled the entries down to 12 finalists and a website for voting on the names went live on Wednesday. Votes can be cast at RenameWSAB.com or by calling the project helpline at 213-922-6262. All votes must be in by Dec. 17.

“This rail line is going to make a huge difference in the lives of residents from Artesia all the way to Huntington Park, but few people know about it because the name is so terrible,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn in a prepared statement. “So, we’re picking a new name that people can get behind and connect with.”

Hahn was a co-author of the motion to launch the renaming, along with Whittier City Councilman and Metro board member Fernando Dutra. Hahn, whose district runs through the region, has repeatedly called for a change in the name.

A new Metro line is coming to Southeast LA and the Gateway Cities, and I need your help picking a new name. We’ve narrowed the list down to 12 finalists, and your vote will help us pick a winner—and it could also win you a $100 gift card. Visit https://t.co/op0FsT9IwK. pic.twitter.com/VbSv0JF1CF

— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) November 15, 2023

The “Name That Train” effort lets people vote for their top three choices out of the 12 nominees. The top vote-getter will become the name of the project. The contest allowed any naming idea, as long as it didn’t include “Santa Ana.”

Some of the 12 entries conjure up historic references, such as “Calafia,” referring to the mythical queen of this state. “Tongva” refers to the “People of the Earth,” the Indigenous residents of the Los Angeles Basin. “Esperanza,” Spanish for hope, is saying the line offers hope for an improved way of life for 1.4 million people in the corridor, where 44% live below the poverty line.

Six of the entrees are geographical. “Gateway Cities” and “Los Angeles Gateway” are names that denote the rail connection between these southeast L.A. County cities and Los Angeles; “Pioneer” refers to the southern terminus of Pioneer Boulevard; “Southeast” and “Southeast Gateway” point to the area of southeast L.A. and southeast L.A. County; “The Heartland Connection” seems to say the train will connect to the heart of the LA Metro system.

Other names are “Portico,” meaning a door or new gateway; “Ruta Segura,” Spanish for safe route; and “Los Rios,” a Spanish reference to the light rail line crossing major rivers including the San Gabriel and Los Angeles rivers and the Rio Hondo, a tributary to the L.A. River.

Results of the vote will be announced in January. Construction is slated to start in 2025 and the line opening is scheduled for 2035. Once operational, it will get a letter name, following the other Metro rail and fixed-bus route lines: A, B, C, D, E, K, G and J. For more information, go to metro.net/wsab.

Alex Villanueva challenges Janice Hahn for county supervisor, hits on crime and homeless

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 18:13:55 +0000

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is back in the political arena, this time as a candidate against two-term L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

The combative ex-sheriff, who lost his bid for reelection in November to former Long Beach Police Department Chief Robert Luna 61.3% to 38.7%, announced his campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 13, taking shots at Hahn and other political targets during a press conference in Whittier.

Villanueva also called for the defeat or removal of other elected county officials, including Sheriff Luna, District Attorney George Gascon and other county supervisors running for reelection.

“We are going to take control of county government and make it work for you. It is as simple as that,” Villanueva said, standing in front of a backdrop that read “Save LA 2024.”

According to some political campaign experts in L.A. County, it will not be easy for Villanueva to overtake Hahn, a legacy candidate whose father was a county supervisor from 1952 to 1992 and who the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration is named after.

The first test comes at the primary election on March 5, 2024.

Villanueva supporter Gil Carrillo, who retired from the Sheriff’s Department after serving 38 years, stood alongside Villanueva at a Whittier-area restaurant and said, “The county is broken and we need some help. It’s time for new energy inside the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.”

Hahn’s campaign consultant, David Jacobson, called Villanueva “the Donald Trump of Los Angeles County,” and said county voters, including those in Hahn’s Fourth District, “resoundingly rejected” his attempt to stay on as sheriff due to his “incompetence and corruption.”

Villanueva focused the majority of his hour-long press conference on crime, saying smash-and-grab robberies have become the norm. He criticized the Sheriff’s Department’s response to a robbery last month at a Nike store in East Los Angeles. He said Gascon is to blame for rising crime by not prosecuting misdemeanor crimes.

He also said he was opposed to nonprofits getting funding to build permanent housing for the homeless. “The homeless industrial complex is target number one,” Villanueva said. He supports providing mental health services to the unhoused.

Villanueva criticized the supervisors’ “care first, jails last” policy approved by voters as part of Measure J in 2020. L.A. County officials estimate that $360 million to $900 million will go to social services including housing, mental health treatment and alternatives to incarceration through Measure J.

Villanueva called the voter-approved measure “nonsense” and added: “They (Board of Supervisors) are concerned about the welfare of criminals, not victims.” He objected to what he called shrinking the Sheriff’s and Probation departments’ budgets.

When asked why solved homicides saw a drop under his watch, Villanueva blamed the Board of Supervisors for what he said was a hiring freeze that prevented him from adding detectives. But he later said that as sheriff he was able to hire 1,000 new deputies.

Hahn’s campaign consultant Jacobson said, “L.A. County became less safe under Villanueva’s reign.”

Jack Pitney, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College said on Wednesday, “I think he would start as an underdog.”

Pitney said, “The district has a substantial number of Hispanic voters. He may be hoping that will be a base of support. But in the sheriff race, the district voted for Luna.”

As for running on a platform of reducing crime, Pitney added: “A lot of the increase in crime in Los Angeles happened on his watch. He doesn’t have a strong rhetorical basis.”

Jaime Regalado, professor emeritus of political science at Cal State Los Angeles, said on Wednesday, “Janice Hahn has no worries.”

Regalado said, “He basically got slaughtered by the new sheriff (Luna). There is nothing in this world that would allow Villanueva to win against Janice Hahn.”

Joel Fox, adjunct professor at Pepperdine School of Public Policy, said, “I think it’s important to have a competition of ideas for public office. So let the debate begin.”

The Fourth District spans 411 square miles and contains more than 2 million people. It runs from Torrance, Palos Verdes, San Pedro and Long Beach up through the 605 Freeway corridor cities to Whittier, then west to Huntington Park, Lynwood and South Gate.

After stints on the L.A. City Council and in Congress, Hahn was elected to the board in 2016 and was reelected to another term in 2020 and currently serves as the board’s chair. Since supervisors are limited to three terms, if she wins in 2024, it will be her last term.

“My fight for the people of the 4th District is far from over,” Hahn said in a prepared statement after announcing earlier this year that she was running for a third term. “The battle to create transformative, positive, and lasting change on behalf of the hard-working people of L.A. County must go on – and I plan to be at the tip of the spear of this fight.”

Hahn was endorsed by numerous city council members in her district, as well as Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. She also was endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Villanueva calls himself a centrist Democrat, after initially running as a progressive. But he said he no longer followed progressive politics after some members called for defunding the police. He said he has no intention to join the Republican Party.

“His base now does not include liberal Democrats and much fewer progressives,” Pitney said. “When challenging someone like Hahn, that is not going to be enough.”

Also declaring his intention to run for the supervisorial seat is Rancho Palos Verdes Councilmember John Cruikshank.

All three candidates filed campaign finance report forms with the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. Official filings to get on the March 5 ballot take place later this year.

“I’m confident the party will support chair Hahn in the reelection,” said Mark Gonzalez, L.A. County Democratic Party Chair.

National Night Out brings community, police together for crime prevention tips, family fun

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:24:05 +0000

San Fernando Police Department Officer Art Lesmez says hello to Idalia Flores and Jax Luna during the San Fernando Police Department’s annual National Night Out event in San Fernando, Tuesday, October 4, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

National Night Out, the first Tuesday in August — Aug. 1 this year — brings law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and the public together to learn about local neighborhood crime, crime prevention tips, safety tips around home and creating neighborhood watch groups while having fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

Some cities hold their event on other dates, often coinciding with an on-going event like an evening farmers market or San Fernando’s event in early October when the weather is cooler.

Neighborhoods may put together their own block-party — often inviting their senior lead officers — to discuss how to keep their neighborhood safer from crime.

Remember to turn on your front porch light as a symbol of public awareness for the annual event.

Here is a sampling of events in Los Angeles County, by date and time.

Aug. 1

City of West Hollywood: A variety of get-togethers including block parties, a barbecue, a movie night and theme parties. Events are held in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Block by Block Security Ambassadors and City of West Hollywood officials and staff members. For more information, contact Jessica Anukam, City of West Hollywood Public Safety Specialist, at 323-848-6436 or by email: janukam@weho.org. Check the website for times — two events begins at 4 p.m. — and addresses here: bit.ly/3J2sMeF

Inglewood Police Department: Meet-and-greet officers and get home and personal safety tips plus a live band, a classic car show, K-9 appearance, SWAT and a children’s zone, 4-8 p.m. Location, Grevillea Art Park, 101 E. Kelso St. 310-412-5530. www.cityofinglewood.org/1253/National-Night-Out

La Verne: Event includes police vehicles display, games, music, information on personal and property safety and food trucks, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Also, school supplies donations are being accepted for the “Stuff a Squad Car” campaign to help children get off to a good start for school. Las Flores Park, 3175 Bolling Ave., La Verne. cityoflaverne.org. Flyer: tinyurl.com/4e69ctfy

El Segundo: Meet-and-greet El Segundo Police Department officers and see demonstrations of defensive tactics, drone and SWAT, 5 to 8 p.m. Location, in the 300 block of Main St. Details: tinyurl.com/2s4c8h48

Glendale Police Department’s National Night Out: The event includes meet-and-greet officers, food, games and community resources information, 5-7:30 p.m. Pacific Park and Community Center, 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale. 818-937-7247 or email jmaghaguian@glendaleca.gov. Details: tinyurl.com/24c6bmdv. Flyer: tinyurl.com/mh9zs5na

Hawthorne: The event includes children’s activities, bouncers, food and games, 5-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd. Email: cau@cityofhawthorne.org. Flyer: tinyurl.com/4f8jdr4u

City of Lawndale: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel plus enjoy music and refreshments and connect with local community resources, 5-7 p.m. Civic Center Plaza, 14717 Burin Ave. 310-973-3220. Details: bit.ly/3b9cOmf

Mission Hills: Communities in the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station host the event that includes meet-and-greet the senior lead police officers, public information displays, music by DJ Bobby Arias and food, 5-7 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Bring a picnic dinner. No pets allowed. Brand Park, 15121 Brand Blvd. Betty Ley, 818-401-3272. www.mhnconline.org/event/mission-hills-national-night-out/

Panorama City: The event includes a meet-and-greet opportunity with officers from Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station, free refreshments, games and musical entertainment, 5-8 p.m. Plaza Del Valle courtyard, 8610 Van Nuys Blvd. Flyer: northhillseast.org/event/national-night-out-panorama-city

Pasadena Police Department: Meet-and-greet first responders and Pasadena city councilmembers plus participate in activities and games, learn about community resources, 5-7 p.m. Pasadena Police Department, 207 Garfield Ave. Details on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/3bsbxjdd

City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Police Department: The event includes educational community booths, a K-9 demonstration, children’s games, music, food trucks, a petting zoo plus learning about personal safety, home security tips and about local community-police partnerships, 5-8 p.m. Mission District, 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. 626-451-5455 or email, sg551@sgpd.com. Details: tinyurl.com/573z6ynn. Flyer: tinyurl.com/3fj29ey2

Sierra Madre: The Sierra Madre Police Department host the event with public safety displays, children’s bounce house, carnival games, entertainment and food, 5-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Details: www.facebook.com/sierramadrepolice/

Westlake Village: The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station joins representatives from the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu and Westlake Village for the event, 5-7 p.m. Meet-and-greet the station’s personnel, members of the Malibu Search and Rescue, mini-therapy horses plus live music and Kona ice refreshments. Location, Westlake Village Community Park, 31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village. Details on Facebook: tinyurl.com/ycxpdkpu

Baldwin Park: The Baldwin Park Police Department host the event with meet-and-greet with police officers, see a SWAT vehicle and a Mobile Command Unit display, community resource booths, and games, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Also, free backpacks for students who live in Baldwin Park (child must be present; while supplies last). Location, 14403 E. Pacific Ave. Details: www.facebook.com/BaldwinParkPD

Bell Gardens: The event includes a meet-and-greet with Bell Gardens Police Department officers, ask about home and personal safety tips, community resources information, children’s fun zone and raffles, 5:30-8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for seating. Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St. 562-806-7637. tinyurl.com/2x3vc7a2. See the July 10 post: www.facebook.com/bellgardenspolicedepartment/

Burbank Police Department: Meet Burbank police officers, view police vehicles, community exhibitors, refreshments and giveaways, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Johnny Carson Park, 400 Bob Hope Drive, Burbank. Burbank Police Department, Community Resource Officers, 818-238-3235. www.facebook.com/BurbankCA/

City of Downey: Event includes crime prevention workshop, children’s activities, community information booths, “suit-up” with SWAT team and food, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Stephanie Arroyo, 562-904-2374 or email: sarroyo@downeyca.org. Details: tinyurl.com/2p8k9dnu

Beverly Hills: The event’s theme is “Honoring Beverly Hills Police Department’s K-9s.” Meet-and-greet Beverly Hills Police Department officers, the department’s SWAT and K9 units, and meet Beverly Hills Fire Department personnel plus DJ music and food trucks, 6-9 p.m. Watch a K-9 demonstration, 7 p.m. No dogs or other pets allowed. Parking, free after 5 p.m., at the Rexford/Civic Center public parking structure. Location, 400 block of North Rexford Drive. Details: tinyurl.com/y2x9kbev. Flyer: tinyurl.com/y6ar3ubm

Long Beach: Long Beach Police Department South officers will attend an event, 6-8 p.m. Bring a blanket or low-back lawn chair and snacks and enjoy a family-friendly movie, 8:30 p.m. at Craftsman Village Park, 851 Orange Ave. Details: tinyurl.com/3zs6a2xt.

Montebello Police Department’s National Night Out: The event includes meet-and-greet officers, police demonstrations, live entertainment, food, games and a movie, 6-9 p.m. Henry Acuna Park, 1700 W. Victoria Ave., Montebello. Officer Arana, 323-516-5062 or email: jarana@montebelloca.gov. Details on the July 7 post: www.facebook.com/montebellopd/

Northridge: Children’s activities, police vehicle display, bounce house, popcorn and a screening of “Wall-E” (2008), 6-8 p.m. Event is cosponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee’s office and Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Community Police Station. Northridge Recreation Center, 18300 Lemarsh Ave. (at Reseda Boulevard). Matthew Hernandez, 818-882-1212 or matthew.hernandez@lacity.org. northridgewest.org/event/devonshire-areas-national-night-out/

City of South Pasadena: The event includes information on safety and community resources,games for children, live music and food trucks, 6-9 p.m. Orange Grove Park, 815 Mission St., South Pasadena. southpasadenan.com/neighborhood-watch-newsletter-july-2023/

Reseda: Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Community Police Station presents an event that includes information about crime, personal and at-home safety tips, children’s activities, refreshments and a screening of “Star Wars” (1977), 6-10 p.m. Randall D. Simmons Park, corner of Vanowen Street and Wilbur Avenue, Reseda. 818-374-7690. Details on the June 20 Facebook post: tinyurl.com/5vkk8eux

Sunland-Tujunga: The event includes food, entertainment and meet-and-greet officers with the Los Angeles Police Department Foothill Community Police Station, 6-9 p.m. Event is hosted by the LAPD, the Elks Lodge, the neighborhood council and the Little Landers Historical Society. Little Landers Park, 10110 Commerce Ave. (at Valmont Street), Tujunga. Details: www.stnc.org/page/viewNews/5366

Torrance: Meet-and-greet Torrance Police Department Officers at six locations, 6-8 p.m. Columbia Park (4045 190th St.); Hickory Park (2850 232nd St.); McMaster Park (3624 Artesia Blvd.); Paradise Park (5006 Lee St.); Seaside Aire Park (22851 Anza Ave.); Wilson Park (2200 Crenshaw Blvd.). See the flyer on the July 18 post: www.facebook.com/TorrancePD

Valley Glen: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Community Police Station officers, a representative from Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian’s office, 6-9 p.m. Whitsett Sports Complex, 6950 Whitsett Ave., Valley Glen. Details: tinyurl.com/2evkrr5y and here: tinyurl.com/3rjhu8va

Valley Village: Neighborhood Council Valley Village holds an event with music, food, raffles and a “Glow Stick” walk, 6-8 p.m. Bring your own glow stick. Also, nonperishable food and pet food will be collected and donated to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry (no glass bottles). Valley Village Park, 5000 Westpark Drive. Maribel Ulloa-Garcia, 818-759-8204 or email: maribelugncvv@gmail.com. www.myvalleyvillage.com. www.myvalleyvillage.com/event/national-night-out-6/

City of Gardena: The city and the Gardena Police Department co-host the “Summer Block Party” event, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meet-and-greet police officers and city staff. Location, 1700 W. 162nd St. 310-217-9574. See July 13 post: www.facebook.com/GardenaPolice. Details: tinyurl.com/55uhjus7

City of Lakewood: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, see a display of emergency vehicles plus children’s bounce houses and games, 7-8:30 p.m. Mayfair Park, north parking lot, 5720 Clark Ave. 562-866-9771, Ext. 2114. Details: tinyurl.com/a8r99cm2

Aug. 2

Carson: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Carson Sheriff’s Station Annual hold an event that includes entertainment, food and a free backpack to the first 300 children, 5-8 p.m. Location, 21356 S. Avalon Blvd. Carson Station Community Relations office, 310-847-4019 or 310-847-8386. Details on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/bddetst3

Aug. 3

National Night Out in Lancaster: Meet-and-greet personnel from the local crime public safety departments and learn about anti-crime and drug awareness campaigns, 4-9 p.m. There will be a “dunk tank” for charity, with proceeds going to a local nonprofit. Also, the city will be giving away prizes including four bicycles. Date coincides with Lancaster’s BLVD Farmers Market event. Lancaster Boulevard, between Ehrlich and Fern avenues. Details: bit.ly/3vglLBk

South El Monte’s National Night Out: The City of South El Monte Community Services Department presents the event that includes crime prevention tips, games and hot dogs, 5-8 p.m. School backpack give-away, 6 p.m. (child must be present; while supplies last). Movie screening of “Toy Story” (1995) at sunset. Mary Van Dyke Park, 1819 Central Ave. 626-579-2043. Flyer with details: tinyurl.com/yzxvhxk9

Save the date

San Fernando Police Department holds a National Night Out, 6 p.m. Oct. 3. Event includes children’s activities, entertainment, public information, food and a photo opportunity with the SFPD’s 1956 Chevy patrol car. Corner of First Street and Maclay Avenue, San Fernando. Check here for the flyer with information: ci.san-fernando.ca.us/sfpolice/#nno

General information about National Night Out: natw.org

Bell Gardens police, mental health experts talk suicidal man out of vehicle

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 07:27:30 +0000

BELL GARDENS — A potentially deadly situation ended peacefully Sunday when Bell Gardens police officers and mental health experts convinced a suicidal vehicle theft suspect to surrender.

Officers were notified about 8:15 a.m. of a possibly stolen vehicle in the area of Florence and Garfield avenues, according to Bell Gardens police Lt. Dano Neslen.

The officers located the vehicle behind a 76 gas station in the area and surrounded it, Neslen said.

The suspect refused repeated orders to get out of the vehicle and made several suicidal statements, the lieutenant said.

Representatives of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health were summoned to the scene and began talking with the suspect on the telephone while nearby businesses were evacuated and the area was closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic, Neslen said.

After several hours, the suspect surrendered to officers and was taken for a mental health evaluation, he said.

The area was reopened about 3:30 p.m.

GETTING HELP

If you or someone you know is considering suicide or self-harm, mental health resources, including free and low-cost services, are available. They include:

Born This Way Foundation’s Get Help Now page: BornThisWay.foundation/get-help-now
Crisis Text Line: CrisisTextLine.org
Hayden’s Corner: HaydensCorner.org
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Find a Provider page: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 or SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s Resources and Programs page: SPRC.org/resources-programs
The Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1, or VeteransCrisisLine.net

Elections 2022: These are the early results for ballot measures around LA County

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 09:40:47 +0000

Voters in across Los Angeles County have decided myriad countywide and local measures — though we don’t yet know the full results.

Below is a roundup of most — but not all — of the measures throughout LA County and how much support they had so far, according to the LA County registrar, as of early Wednesday morning, Nov. 9.

See the latest election results.

Arcadia: Measure CA, which had 65% support, would amend the city’s charter to have voters elect councilmembers by district, align election dates with the state’s and make other election changes. Measure HT, which had 52% support, would increase the city’s transient occupancy tax, or hotel tax, from 10% to 12%. Measure SW, which had 61% support, would establish a 5% tax on sports wagering gross revenues.

Baldwin Park: Measure BP, which had 60% support, would add a 3/4-cent tax to the existing 9.5% tax on retail sales in the city. Measure CB, which had 51% disapproval, would OK the sale and delivery of medical cannabis and cannabis products to those 18 and older, and recreational cannabis products to people 21 or older; and set taxes for such sales. Measure CN, which had 74% support, would allow candidates to only accept up to $750 from an individual or political action committee during an election campaign. Measure RM, which had 55% support, would change the mayor position from a directly elected to a rotating office starting in 2024. Measure TL, which had 80% support, would limit councilmembers and mayors to 12 years in office.

Bell Gardens: Measure AA, which had 84% support, would limit council members to three four-year terms in office.

Carson: Measure R, which had 77% support, would continue a 2% utility tax set to expire in 2023, providing money for 911 emergency response/public safety, natural disaster/public health emergency preparedness and other issues.

Cerritos Community College: Measure CC, which had 55% support, would authorize $425 million in bonds to repair, upgrade and replace instructional, training and support facilities, as well as make other improvements.

Claremont: Measure CT, which had 63% support, would establish a 4% to 7% tax on potential cannabis and hemp businesses’ gross retail sale receipts, if the city ever allows weed shops.

Commerce: Measure SL, which had 53% support, would remove the 12-year limit for councilmember service, but retain the ban against serving more than three full terms.

Compton: Measure ED, which had 63% support, would align election dates with the state’s and make other procedural changes for elections. Measure AM, which had 57% disapproval, would reduce the number of required monthly regular council meetings from four to two.

Compton Unified School District: Measure AAA, which had 71% support, would authorize $350 million in bonds to fix deteriorating roofs, plumbing, heating, electrical, and other systems, a d make other improvements.

Downey: Measure D, which had 67% disapproval, would increase the transient occupancy tax from 9% to 13%.

Downey Unified School District: Measure K, which had 55% support, would authorize $504 million in bonds to repair and improve neighborhood schools, improve school safety and security systems, and make other fixes.

Duarte: Measure J, which had 64% disapproval, would establish a minimum wage of at least $25 per hour for health care workers starting in January 2024.

El Monte: Measure OT, which had 52% support, would raise the transient occupancy tax from 10% to 14%.

El Segundo: Measure BT, which had 51% disapproval, would change various business taxes to different amounts based on the type and size of the company. Measure W, which had 60% disapproval, would repeal the ban on commercial cannabis and allow marijuana retailers to apply for permits. Measure Y, which had 70% support, would create a tax in case cannabis businesses become legal either through Measure W or a later retail cannabis ordinance.

Hawthorne: Measure I, which had 58% disapproval, would convert Hawthorne from a general law to charter city, which would provide more local authority.

Hermosa Beach: Measure B, which had 56% disapproval, would establish a 3/4-cent sales tax, adding to the current 9.5% rate. Measure M, which had 73% disapproval, would repeal the ban on cannabis businesses and allow up to two such storefronts. Measure T, which had 68% support, would enact a taxes on potential cannabis and hemp businesses. Measure U, which had 64% support, would repeal the city’s existing civil service system and enable the council to adopt an updated personnel/civil service ordinance.

Huntington Park: Measure PP, which had 52% support, would establish an overnight parking permit program on public streets.

Inglewood: Measure HC, which had 53% support, would establish a minimum wage of $25 per hour for certain employees of private health care facilities.

Los Angeles city: Measure LH, which had 67% support, would authorize public entities in the city to develop, build or buy up to 5,000 additional units of low-income rental housing in each council district. Measure SP, which had 65% disapproval, would impose a .08 cent per square foot tax on improved parcels, reduced to a .02 cent tax in 30 years or upon completion of certain programs. Measure ULA, which had 54% support, would impose a 4% tax on property sales and transfers exceeding $5 million, and 5.5% on those $10 million or more.

LA Community College District: Measure LA, which had 61% support, would authorize $5.3 billion in bonds to repair and upgrade campuses, classrooms, water pipes and other infrastructure.

LA County: Measure C, which had 60% support, would legalize cannabis dispensaries in unincorporated L.A. County and impose taxes on the businesses. Measure A, which had 70% support, would amend the county’s charter to authorize the Board of Supervisors to remove a sitting elected sheriff.

Las Virgenes Unified School District: Measure S, which had 62% support, would authorize $340 million in bonds to upgrade classrooms, science labs, career-training facilities and instructional technology, and make other improvements.

Lynwood: Measure TR, which had 65% support, would establish a 5% to 10% tax on retail cannabis businesses.

Manhattan Beach: Measure MB, which had 78% disapproval, would repeal the ban on commercial cannabis and allow three retailers in city limits. Measure V, which had 68% support, would readopt that ban.

Monrovia Unified School District: Measure MM, which had 59% support, would authorize a $75 million bond to repair and upgrade classrooms, and make other improvements.

Monterey Park: Measure MP, which had 59% support, would establish a 3/4-cent sales tax to help pay for 911 emergency response and other city services.

Paramount Unified School District: Measure P, which had 72% support, would limit board members to three four-year terms.

Pasadena: Measure L, which had 82% support, would continue a $41 per year parcel tax for single-family residences and condominium units for 15 years.

Pasadena Community College: Measure PCC, which had 67% support, would authorize $565 million in bonds to upgrade labs, instructional technology, classrooms and career-training facilities, and make other improvements.

Pico Rivera: Measure AB, which had 74% support, would update the city’s business license fee to protect small businesses and ensure businesses of all sizes pay their fair share. Measure F, which had 85%, would limit councilmembers to three four-year terms; members could run again after four years out of office.

Pomona: Measure PO, which had 70% support, would create a police oversight commission that would be authorized to receive community complaints and concerns about police matters, and undertake other duties. Measure PE, which had 70%, would create an ethics commission. Measure PI, which had 63%, would create an independent citizens’ redistricting commission for city council districts. Measure PT, which had 74%, would limit councilmembers and mayors to three consecutive terms. Measure PR, which had 69%, require councilmembers to resign if they run for mayor and their terms run beyond when the mayoral term would begin. Measure PL, which had 74%, would align local election dates with the state’s. Measure PC, which had 72%, would change the city’s campaign finance and conflict of interest laws. Measure PG, which had 70%, would update and clarify city policy on filling mayoral and council vacancies and other governmental rules. Measure PS, which had 53.5%, would enact a special tax of 15 cents per gross square foot on industrial parcels.

San Marino: Measure Z, which had 55% support, would implement an annual special parcel tax of $10,000 on specified vacant commercial and residential properties.

Sierra Madre: Measure HR, which had 60% disapproval, would change a land-use designation from “Institutional” to “Hillside Management” for the Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center.

South El Monte: Measure CM, which had 54% support, would allow one cannabis retail business in town, increasing to up to three after one year, and set taxes. Measure X, which had 55% disapproval, would allow five cannabis dispensaries, two cultivation facilities, one testing facility and two manufacturers/distributors, and se taxes.

South Gate: Measure PD, which had 53% disapproval, would increase the business license tax and solid waste processing fees for Material Recovery Facilities to $500 plus $1.94 per ton.

South Pasadena: Measure LL, which had 84% support, would extend the library special tax, set to expire in 2024, until terminated by voters.

Wiseburn Unified School District: Measure EE, which had 54% support, would authorize $98 million in bonds to upgrade school security, emergency communications and fire safety systems, and make other improvements.

$50 million requested to start Artesia light rail project to Union Station

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:24:32 +0000

Less than a month ago, President Joe Biden spoke from a Metro rail construction site in Los Angeles, saying he fully expects members of the U.S. Congress to put in requests for a chunk of the $1 trillion infrastructure law.

Last week, Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Norwalk, took him up on his offer.

Sanchez, a 10-term congresswoman, wrote a detailed letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, asking for funding to build a major north-south light rail line that would link Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles with smaller, mostly minority-majority cities in southeast Los Angeles County.

The proposed LA Metro line, dubbed the West Santa Ana Branch Corridor project, gets its confusing name from an old right-of-way still available and once used by the now-defunct Pacific Electric Santa Ana route in L.A. County. The combination light rail and subway line would connect L.A. with the suburbs of Artesia, Cerritos, Bellflower, Paramount, Downey, South Gate, Cudahy, Bell, Huntington Park, Vernon and unincorporated Florence-Graham, running roughly between the 110 and 5 freeways.

A map shows the route of the proposed West Santa Ana Branch light rail project. (courtesy of LA Metro)

“Many working families in my district depend on public transit to get from point A to point B,” Sánchez said in a prepared statement. “Yet southeastern Los Angeles County has historically lacked access to high-quality, reliable public transportation. The West Santa Ana Branch project will help change that reality, providing a one-seat ride from Artesia to Union Station.”

In her letter dated Oct. 25, Sanchez asked that the 19.3-mile light rail project get funds from the Department of Transportation’s Capital Investment Grants program in the fiscal year 2024. The letter was co-signed by Reps. Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Boyle Heights), Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte), Judy Chu (D-Pasadena), and Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Los Angeles.)

Rendering of the West Santa Ana Branch train project. (Courtesy LA Metro)

One of the requests — a relatively modest one — asks for $50 million to kick off the project, enough to cover preliminary engineering, environmental reviews and other early needs for a project of this magnitude. Undoubtedly, Sanchez will shoot higher to squeeze funding out of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by Biden on Nov. 15, 2021, which funds roads, bridges and rail projects.

“Every dollar counts,” said Janice Hahn, Fourth District Supervisor and Metro board member on Wednesday, Nov. 2. “Fifty million dollars won’t build this project. But what it does is, it sends a big message. The fact (that) it is in the president’s budget says the president of the United States recognizes the project is significant and should be supported and funded by federal dollars.”

The West Santa Ana Branch project was approved by the LA Metro Board in January. But the board approved a preferred route — a 14.8-mile phase one segment that would run from the Artesia/Cerritos area, slanting northwest over the 105 Freeway, zigzagging east and west of the 710 Freeway and ending at the Slauson Avenue A Line (Blue) Station in the Florence-Firestone area.

Riders would have to disembark and transfer to the A Line to go north into downtown Los Angeles. The first segment could break ground next year but will not be completed until 2033.

A 4.5-mile second phase would take the West Santa Ana Branch line into the Arts District, Little Tokyo and Union Station, providing what Sanchez calls “a one seat ride” to downtown. The second phase has a completion range in the years 2041-2043.

The projected cost of the project is about $9.1 billion. Metro, which has four tax measures in play generating money from sales taxes for capital projects, including rail lines proposed or under construction, has identified about $4 billion for this project. But Metro needs other sources to close the funding gap.

The move for federal dollars has already gained some momentum, though grants are dribbled out slowly and often over several years. In late February, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved Metro’s request to place the project in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) pipeline. And on April 22, 2021, the Metro board named the West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor Project as the agency’s No. 1 candidate for the federal CIG Program.

By getting the first bit of funding, it would position the project on the White House’s radar, Hahn said.

“It opens the doors to more federal funding in the future, and that is what is significant,” said Hahn.

Cities along the corridor have already begun planning transit-oriented developments, such as homes, apartments, condos and retail centers. Also, the project fits with Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to advance environmental justice and create economic opportunities in disadvantaged communities, Sanchez said in her letter.

Metro reported that 44% of the residents along the corridor live below the poverty line.

US Postal Service holding job fairs at LA-area locations

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 20:22:39 +0000

The United States Postal Service is recruiting for part-time, full-time and seasonal positions in Los Angeles County.

USPS is looking to fill about 500 positions including mail carriers, mail processors and tractor trailer operators.

Those interested in attending the job fairs will be able to ask questions on qualifications needed and job benefits. Postal human resources personnel will also answer questions on applications. Applications may be filled out and submitted at the job fair events.

Upcoming job fairs are all scheduled from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Inglewood Post Office: Oct. 5. Location, 4201 W. Imperial Highway, Inglewood.

West Los Angeles College Job Fair: USPS is participating, Oct. 6. Location, 9000 Overland Ave., Culver City.

Wagner Station: Oct. 12. Location, 2200 Century Blvd., Los Angeles.

El Segundo Post Office “Mega” Job Fair: Hiring fair for post offices in Compton, Culver City, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, Lawndale, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, El Segundo and Venice, Oct. 3. El Segundo Post Office, 2130 E. Mariposa Ave.

City of Lynwood Job Fair: Event hosted by the office of Congressmember Nanette Barragan, Oct. 14. City of Lynwood, Bateman Hall, 11331 Ernestine Ave., Lynwood.

Main Office Los Angeles: Oct. 18, and also Oct. 26. Location, 7001 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles.

Bell Gardens Post Office “Mega” Job Fair: Hiring fair for post offices in Bell Gardens, Compton, Downey, Huntington Park, Lynwood and South Gate, Oct. 20. Location, 7001 Garfield Ave., Bell Gardens.

To apply in-person or online, applicants must:

Be age 18 or oder;
Pass a drug screening; and
Pass a criminal background investigation

Starting pay for most positions is $18-$30 per hour, according to a USPS press release.

Applications may also be submitted online, about.usps.com/careers/welcome.htm

Report on dirty bus stops and unreliable service draws reactions from LA Metro board members

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:37:52 +0000

In response to a nonprofit’s survey that found widespread complaints about poor bus service, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn on Thursday, Sept. 23, asked the head of Los Angeles County Metro to report back next month on what the transit agency is doing to fix the problems.

Supervisor Hahn, also a member of the LA Metro Board of Directors, was livid after reading about the report “The Bus Stops Here” in an article in the Daily Breeze, one of the Southern California News Group’s newspapers. She said she heard from constituents who agreed with the findings released by the group who conducted the survey, Investing In Place.

The survey reported that half of the Metro buses did not arrive when scheduled, while half of bus stops in the city of Los Angeles were dirty with trash or litter, and more than one-fourth had no shade. Stephanie Wiggins, Metro CEO, seemed to be caught off guard by the report and did not respond to Hahn’s questions.

“Folks read that report and are just concerned,” Hahn said to Wiggins during the Thursday Metro board meeting. “It was very distressing to read that report for our transit-dependent population.”

Hahn urged Wiggins to meet with her staff and report back to the board “and tell us how we are urgently addressing some of these failings in our system.”

Investing in Place conducted its survey by recruiting 58 volunteers who ride buses regularly. They provided 126 observations about bus service, and 244 comments about bus stops, on six busy Metro bus routes serving South L.A., Central L.A., East L.A. and the San Fernando Valley. The surveys were conducted November through December 2021 on bus routes that mostly serve people of color and those dependent on mass transit.

On Sept. 22, county supervisor and Metro board member Holly Mitchell made this observation about the survey in a tweet: “The Bus Stops Here report articulates the inconsistency of bus stop infrastructure in Los Angeles. It’s painful but not shocking that the greatest inconsistencies are observed in Black and Brown communities.”

.@InvestinPlace's The Bus Stops Here report articulates the inconsistency of bus stop infrastructure in Los Angeles. It's painful but not shocking that the greatest inconsistencies are observed in Black and Brown communities. Local jurisdictions manage that infrastructure. (1/2)

— Holly J. Mitchell (@HollyJMitchell) September 23, 2022

Jessica Meaney, executive director of Investing In Place, was pleased with the attention the report drew. “We need to find a way to bring the experience people are having on Metro buses to the board room every month,” she said on Friday.

She has repeatedly asked that any of the 14 Metro board members, and members of the Los Angeles City Council, ride the bus with her.

“We would love to ride the bus with them,” she said. “The more policymakers who can ride the bus and connect with what’s happening on the ground, the more informed their votes can be.”

After the group presented its report to the L.A. City Council this week, the Council voted to approve a 10-year contract to build 3,000 transit-stop shelters and 450 additional shade structures across the city.

A homeless man sleeps on a Metro bus bench at 8th and Alvarado streets in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022. A community group found bus riders concerned about delays, dirty bus stops, lack of shade and unreliable service. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

L.A. City Council member Mike Bonin answered an email inquiry Friday, saying the vote on Tuesday, Sept. 20 to build new bus infrastructure via a new contract is a promise to L.A. residents, one that the city has not always kept in the past.

“Our bus riders deserve shade,” Bonin wrote. “Many riders don’t realize that it is the local city that is responsible for providing bus shelters. In Los Angeles, we have fallen short due to a bad contract and misplaced priorities.”

But Meaney said the new contract depends on acquiring revenue from bus-bench advertising, which doesn’t guarantee all of them will be built. Instead, she wants to see Los Angeles use money from four transit-oriented tax measures that bring in $800 million yearly to the city and pay directly for bus infrastructure.

Metro in June 2021 launched an update of its bus service, known as the NextGen Bus Plan, with the intention of expanding bus service and targeting the most-used routes. Phase two of the NextGen Bus Plan was launched this summer on June 27, and offered more frequent bus service on dozens of routes, Metro reported.

But having each city in the county provide bus shelters and bus signs leads to inconsistencies, because LA Metro and the cities in L.A. County are not in sync. “They (Metro) don’t know where the purveyors are providing these amenities,” said Bart Reed, executive director of The Transit Coalition, a nonprofit advocating for mass transit in the county. “This whole report shows a total disconnect.”

Meanwhile, a group of about 10 Southeast Los Angeles County cities along the 710 Freeway eventually will see new bus shelters, traffic signal synchronization, bus stop lighting, and digital signs displaying the real time a bus will arrive, as part of a $29.5 million allotment approved by LA Metro on Thursday.

The money comes from a new transportation improvement plan for the 710 corridor stretching from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to the “SELA” cities, or southeast L.A. County cities, which include Bell, Cudahy, Huntington Park and Lynwood. The money became available after a plan was scrapped by Metro in May to widen the 710 freeway.

“Many of my constituents in Southeast L.A. depend on our buses — and they tell me how hard it is to wait for the bus at stops that don’t have shade from the sun or lighting at night,” Hahn said in a prepared statement.

The new focus on improving bus service and investing in the small cities, which don’t have the funding to pay for such improvements, was welcomed by SELA city members, Hahn reported.

“Our neighbors, compadres, and students deserve to have quality bus service,” said Bell City Councilmember Ali Saleh in a prepared statement. “They ride these buses regularly and don’t have any other ways to get to places like work or the grocery store. Some of our residents wait hours for buses. Supervisor Hahn’s motion is exactly the type of investments that we need to be making in our SELA region.”

Improvements to bus stops can be expected in late 2023 and early 2024, Hahn reported.

Election 2022: Garcia, Briscoe will likely head to November runoff for 42 House district

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:17:25 +0000

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia has maintained a commanding lead in the race for California’s newly formed 42nd Congressional District — setting up a somewhat surprising runoff against Republican John Briscoe in the Nov. 8 general election.

Briscoe’s top-two status wasn’t expected, with many having considered Mayor Garcia and longtime Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia the likely frontrunners ever since they announced their respective campaigns for the new district, which covers much of Long Beach and southeastern LA County.

Prior to redistricting both Robert Garcia, a rising star in the Democratic Party, and Briscoe were in a congressional district that included parts of more conservative Orange County. The switch was thought to strip Briscoe of much of his Republican base.

And the new 42nd District, entirely within Los Angeles County, is overwhelmingly blue.

Despite that, Briscoe was firmly in second place, with 29% of the votes, according to the election’s semi-final results — though he was also well back of Mayor Garcia, who had about 45% support.

And for Garcia, who remains highly popular in Long Beach — LA County’s second largest city — the results seemed to confirm his status as a prominent Democrat in local politics.

“We feel great, and really grateful to the entire community — not just here in Long Beach, but all across the district,” Garcia said in a Wednesday interview. “It’s really been great getting to know so many of the new cities and neighborhoods as well.”

Although Garcia’s votes have trended downward since the county’s initial results were released — the registrar’s first update on Tuesday night, which largely include vote-by-mail ballots received prior to Election Day, reported 50% of the votes for the mayor — he’s maintained a strong lead over the other candidates.

Briscoe didn’t respond to a request for comment on Wednesday, but said in an election night interview that he’s feeling confident that he’ll face Garcia in the November runoff.

“I’ve been in front of the voters in Long Beach and Lakewood four times,” Briscoe said Tuesday evening. “I think the election will come out with Robert Garcia in front, and John Briscoe in second.”

Cristina Garcia, meanwhile, remained shockingly well behind the top two candidates — with about 13% of votes cast in her favor, as of Wednesday morning.

The assemblywoman declined to comment on the early election results.

The newly established 42nd District, the result of the state’s decennial redistricting process, essentially combines the current 40th and 47th congressional districts. Reps. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Boyle Heights, and Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, currently represent those areas — but both plan to retire after the current term.

Cristina Garcia portrayed herself as a natural successor to Roybal-Allard; much of her Assembly district, covering South and East Los Angeles, is in the new district, including Bell and Downey.

But Robert Garcia’s supporters — many of whom are likely in Long Beach, where he served on the City Council for five years before being elected mayor in 2014 — appeared to have shown up to the polls in larger numbers.

The disparity between Robert Garcia’s tally and Cristina Garcia’s — not to mention the other Democrats in the field — would seem to dispel the notion of intraparty vote splitting.

John Briscoe — a longtime elected board member of the Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach, who ran and lost against incumbent Lowenthal for the 47th District in 2020 — had positioned himself as a natural candidate for the new district, as the only conservative voice for Californians in those areas.

But nearly 55% of the district’s registered voters are Democrats, according to the California Secretary of State’s website. Only 16% are registered as Republicans.

The other candidates in the 42nd District primary, all but one of whom are Democrats, were even further off the pace of the leaders. Peter Matthews, a longtime political science teacher at Cypress College, had about 4%; political organizer Nicole Lopez had about 3%; and hospice chaplain Rev. William Moses Summerville and political advocate Joaquin Beltran both had around 2%.

Green party member Julio Cesar Flores also had about 2% of the vote.

More than 400,000 ballots remain outstanding countywide, the registrar estimated on Wednesday, including conditional and provisional ballots, as well as vote-by-mail ballots that arrived on Election Day or that arrive in the coming days.

But it’s unknown where those ballots are from and, with 5.6 million registered voters countywide, it remains unclear how consequential they will be.

Traditionally, those outstanding ballots are not enough to swing any but the narrowest of races. The 42nd District, though, is a fairly large jurisdiction, with 394,555 registered voters, according to the Secretary of State’s most-recent report.

Voter turnout, so far, appears significantly lower than in recent past elections.

Only 46,519 District 42 voters had cast ballots, as of Wednesday morning. That’s about 11.8%.

Countywide, the registrar estimated, voter turnout will be 14.45% once all of the outstanding ballots are tallied. That would be 24.5 percentage points lower than the worst turnout over the previous three elections, which came during the 2020 presidential primary.

Even the most similar recent election, the 2018 midterm primary, saw 29% of the county’s registered voters cast ballots.

“There’s a lot of voter fatigue out there. It’s something we have to work on, we have to get more people out to vote,” Garcia said. “We’re going to continue to campaign every single day, and remind (local voters) how important it is to vote — our democracy is at stake here and we have an opportunity to strengthen our country.”

Among the major issues facing the 42nd District — and the nation — are housing shortages and increasing homelessness, climate change, further recovery from the pandemic and reforming health care.

Robert Garcia has stressed his progressive policy leanings throughout his campaign, citing his work on housing, homelessness and COVID-19 recovery throughout his time as Long Beach’s mayor.

Most recently, he spoke out against the U.S. Supreme Court’s leaked draft decision to overturn its 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, a move that would remove federal protections for abortion rights.

Briscoe, a longtime elected trustee on the Ocean View School District Board is on the other side of the abortion rights debate. He recently made incendiary remarks on Twitter against Mayor Garcia and Gov. Gavin Newsom, particularly over proposals to codify abortion rights in the U.S. Constitution.

His most-important issue, according to his Twitter account and his website, is the economy — namely inflation.

Briscoe, who ran for Huntington Beach City Council and made multiple failed bids to unseat Lowenthal in Congress, is also much further to the right than his fellow competitors on homelessness, immigration and health care, according to his website.

Staff writer Chris Haire and City News Service contributed to this report.

1 Killed, Another Wounded In Attempted Robbery At Bell Gardens Marijuana Dispensary

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 05:15:44 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — An investigation continues Thursday morning into a deadly shooting during an apparently botched robbery at a Bell Gardens marijuana dispensary.

It was later revealed that the business was actually an illegal dispensary, operating out of a mobile phone repair store called “Mobile Geeks.”

(credit: CBS)

Gunshots were reported at 5845 Florence Ave., near the 710 Freeway, just before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Officers responding to the scene found two men inside the business with gunshot wounds.

According to detectives on the scene, the clerk on duty was held at gunpoint while other suspects tossed jars of marijuana into bags they were planning to steal.

“It was clear some type of gun fight had occurred there, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Derrick Alfred, noting the “extensive damage, windows shot out, bullet holes and some cars were struck that were parked along the roadway.”

A 17-years-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other, 21, was taken to the hospital in unknown condition. Both were said to be involved in the robbery when they were shot.

A third attempted robber fled the scene.

The 17-year-old victim was identified as Kevin Ruiz on Saturday.

A preliminary investigation into the shooting found surveillance footage showing two other suspects outside of the store, putting on ski masks just as the bullets started flying. They, as well as several others involved in the incident, could be seen running from the scene.

The attempted robbery occurred across the street from Bell Gardens Intermediate School, a middle school home to more than 1,000 students.

“It’s kind of scary, it’s across the street from a school,” said one individual who spoke with CBS reporters on the scene Thursday afternoon. He and his friend noted the proximity of the school to the illegal operation, and the danger it posed to the children so close by.

Authorities have not released suspect or suspect vehicle information, and the shooting is being investigated as gang related.

They also disclosed that this was at least the third attempted robbery at a marijuana dispensary that had turned into a shooting turned murder.

“It’s not uncommon these days, to have these marijuana shops robbed,” Alfred continued. “They have a lot of marijuana and a lot of cash on hand.”

Los Angeles Police Department records echoed that, detailing that in 2021 over 700 people were arrested as a result of similar incidences. They also disclosed that more $2 million and over 250,000 pounds of marijuana were confiscated from illegal dispensaries in the same time period.

Anyone with information about the shooting can contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Federal Indictment Charges Pro Poker Player Gal Yafrich, 3 Others With Operating Illegal Gambling Operation, Money Laundering

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 17:02:20 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A World Series of Poker bracelet winner is one of four Los Angeles-area men who have been charged in connection with an illegal video gambling operation and money laundering.

Gal Yafrich, 35, a frequent player in “Live at the Bike” poker games and the 2018 World Series of Poker bracelet winner, and 39-year-old Nick Shkolnik were both charged with operating an illegal gambling business. Israeli-born Yafrich also faces money laundering charges along with 32-year-old Shalom Ifrah and 33-year-old Schneur Zalman Getzel Rosenfeld.

All four of the defendants named in the federal indictment were arrested Wednesday. Yifrach and Ifrah were detained pending trial, but Shkolnik and Rosenfeld were released subject to pretrial supervision and other conditions.

The Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Bell Gardens, California on April 4, 2017, after it was raided by Federal Agents early this morning in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation around alleged money laundering.
The agents were part of a multi-agency financial crime task force serving a federal search warrant, according to a statement from spokeswoman Virginia Kice for US Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations. / AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of California, Yifrach, Shkolnik, and Yosef Yitzchak Beshari, who faces charges elsewhere, conducted an illegal gambling business in the Sacramento area with video slot machines, then laundered the proceeds of the operation by swapping cash for chips or checks at a gaming establishment identified by federal prosecutors as “a casino in Bell Gardens.” There is one casino in the city of Bell Gardens – Bicycle Hotel and Casino, home of the “Live at the Bike” online poker show.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the men involved in the conspiracy allegedly made cash deposits of no more than $10,000 at banks to avoid federal transaction reporting requirements. Yifrach, according to the federal indictment, also used funds to invest in Los Angeles real estate.

Yafrich and Shkolnik each face a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for conducting an illegal gambling business. Yafrich, Ifrah, and Rosenfeld additionally face a maximum statutory penalty each of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. The indictment also seeks the forfeiture of assets that includes more than $500,000 in U.S. currency and three real estate properties in Los Angeles.

Bicycle Casino Agrees To Pay $500K To Settle Violations Of Federal Anti-Money Laundering Rules

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 18:18:37 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — The operators of the Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Bell Gardens will pay $500,000 to settle violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.

The casino accepted responsibility for failing to properly file reports for a Chinese national who conducted millions of dollars in cash transactions back in 2016, which violates a number of federal anti-money laundering rules, according to federal prosecutors. Bicycle Casino also agreed to strengthen its anti-money laundering practices.

BELL GARDENSS, CA – APRIL 4, 2017 Federal authorities executed warrants early Tuesday as part of a criminal investigation at The Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Bell Gardens. Details about the investigation were not immediately available, but authorities with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed the warrants are related to the Internal Revenue Services. (Photo by Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The investigation into the Bicycle Casino concerned a “high roller” Chinese national who gambled there about 100 times over an eight-month period in 2016. The high roller, whom prosecutors did not identify, played high-limit baccarat in a VIP room with huge sums of cash that he occasionally carried to and from the casino in duffel bags. On one of those occasions, he withdrew $2 million from his player account at 2:45 p.m. and played in a VIP room until 1:20 a.m. the next morning, federal officials said.

The high roller’s transactions drew scrutiny because it was his assistant who conducted more than $100 million in cash-in or cash-out transactions on his behalf – transactions that were improperly filed in the assistant’s name, rather than the high-roller’s name. During this period, which started on at least Jan. 7, 2016 and continued through July 27, 2016, the casino also failed to file any Suspicious Activity Reports for Casinos (SARCS) that are required under the Bank Secrecy Act, according to prosecutors.

After the casino’s staff informed senior management in July of 2016 of the failure to file the proper reports in the high roller’s name, the casino took steps correct the situation, including amending Currency Transaction Reports to show they were done on the high roller’s behalf, and creating an Anti-Money Laundering Committee within its management ranks. The $500,000 settlement is part of a non-prosecution agreement between federal prosecutors and Bicycle Casino.

Home Surveillance Video Shows Possible Kidnapping In Bell Gardens

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 00:00:12 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — Help is needed Tuesday after video of a possible kidnapping surfaced in Bell Gardens.

Home surveillance video recording the street in the 6500 block of Toler Avenue showed a disturbing scene at about 10:55 p.m. Saturday. The video shows a small, coupe-style car stopping and a woman getting out of the passenger side.

(credit: Bell Gardens Police Department)

The woman ran, but a man in a hooded sweatshirt gets out of the driver’s seat and quickly grabs the woman around her midsection in what police called a “bearhug,” put her back in the car and closed the door. He was then seen walking around the rear of the vehicle and getting back in to drive away.

Police say the driver’s door was open slightly, then closed, indicating another person may have been in the vehicle, or the woman opened the door for him.

The homeowner whose security cameras recorded the video contacted Bell Gardens police with the troubling footage.

“Because it is unknown if a crime occurred, we are asking for thepublic’s assistance in identifying the vehicle and the two subjects seen in the video to determine if further investigation is needed,” a statement from Bell Gardens police said.

The car was described as a silver, two-door car, possibly a Honda S2000.

Anyone with information about the car, or the two people can contact Bell Gardens police Sgt. B. Benson at (5620) 806-7649.

Suspect Arrested After Hidden Cameras Found In Bell Gardens Church Restrooms

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:37:50 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) – A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with hidden cameras which were discovered in women’s restrooms of a Bell Gardens church last weekend.

Stephen Ramirez, a parishioner at L.A. Pentecostals Church, located at 8300 Eastern Ave., has been arrested on suspicion of invasion of privacy and lewd conduct, according to Bell Gardens police.

On Aug. 29, staff of L.A. Pentecostals discovered the cameras inside a women’s restroom and immediately contacted police.

After filing a police report, church staff, working with investigators, determined that Ramirez was the culprit and convinced him to surrender, police said. They escorted him to Bell Gardens police headquarters two days later.

The cameras were found in two women’s restrooms at the church. Footage reviewed by detectives showed video of children and women, police said.

Anyone with information on the case should call detectives at 562-806-7619.

Gov. Gavin Newsom Urges Struggling Renters In LA To Apply For Rental Assistance Soon

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 20:45:01 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Gov. Gavin Newsom was in Bell Gardens Wednesday to promote the state’s $5.2 billion program to pay back 100% of rent for low-income renters affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If we see mass evictions, we will have seen something we’ve never experienced in our lifetime, and that’s the number of people on streets and sidewalks that will overwhelm. That’s why this program is so important,” Newsom said.

The program is part of the state’s 2021-22 fiscal year budget, which Newsom signed Monday.

Applicants can receive 100% of rent owed from April 2020 and through September 2021. Newsom urged people to apply as soon as possible to ensure they receive the money before the eviction moratorium expires on Sept. 30. He added that there was only a “very modest” chance that it would be extended again.

Two women who applied for the rental assistance said that they were initially skeptical.

“I didn’t believe it either, I didn’t think it was true. It’s true. You guys have to apply, they’re going to help you. Don’t not do it, we all have to do this,” a woman from South Gate said.

Another woman, who said she owed two months of rent, said, “People don’t believe it, but it does work. It’s true.”

Renters who applied during the state’s previous program and received 25% or 80% of their owed rent do not need to apply again, Newsom said.

Renters and landlords can apply for the program here.

McDonald’s Locations Hosting COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics Across Southern California

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 20:35:37 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — A COVID-19 vaccination is now as easy as grabbing breakfast at the nearest McDonald’s.

McDonald’s and California Public Health are hosting pop-up vaccine clinics at fast food franchises across the state. People getting a jab are getting more than antibodies, too – they’re also getting coupons for free food and other giveaways.

“We’ve seen high numbers of COVID over time. We also have been a little behind on vaccines in the community, and with this spike in LA County, it’s just really concerning,” Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia said.

(credit: CBS)

New coronavirus infections are on the rise as the more contagious Delta variant spreads across Los Angeles County. Epidemiologists believe this variant is 50% more contagious than the last strain of concern, Alpha – which was in turn 50% more contagious than the original COVID strain. In Los Angeles County, new case numbers have jumped to more than 1,000 a day, and patients are skewing much younger – more than four out of five are under the age of 50.

Miguel Angel learned about the pop-up vaccination clinic at McDonalds on the morning news, so he was first in line Monday. Through a translator, he said he wanted to get his shot to show his wife she shouldn’t be afraid and hopes she will come soon herself, with their 12- and 14-year-old in tow.

When vaccinations began rolling out, seniors in Bell Garden rushed to get their shots early – but younger adults who tended to be essential workers waited, Garcia said.

“They’re worried about missing work, they’re worried about having symptoms,” Garcia said. Officials are tackling that issue by making getting a vaccination more convenient. And as Garcia pointed out, the best employees are those who don’t end up getting sick for weeks.

Visit camcdevents.com to find the nearest pop-up clinic near you.

LA Clinicians Rush To Vaccinate Community as Delta Variant Of COVID Spreads

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:22:12 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The clinicians at the vaccination clinic at Bell Gardens Veterans Park said Wednesday the push to get more people vaccinated is now more important than ever. They know as vaccination rates fall, the number of Delta variant cases of COVID-19 are going up.

“We are trying to do everything in our control to get people vaccinated,” said Parth Parikh, Pico Care Pharmacy manager. “The fact that it is very, very fast to spread is the reason why we have been emphasizing vaccines within the community.”

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health says the Delta variant is spreading rapidly in LA County. The agency recently reported that it made up almost half of coronavirus cases in the area.

“The variants that we see emerging are adapting more and more to be more efficient at infecting humans,” said Dr. Lisa Maragakis of the Johns Hopkins Health System. “Maybe more likely to cause severe disease and hospitalization.”

Health officials said nearly 60% of residents in LA County are fully vaccinated. Given that four million residents are not yet vaccinated, the risk of increased spread is very real, officials said.

Health officials say as the virus keeps spreading and mutating, the Delta variant is now the dominant strain in the U.S.

“I’m trying to protect my family and I feel they need it too so we might as well get the vaccine,” said Grisel Gomez, a parent.

There is concern whether the Delta variant could be carried by vaccinated people, who then might transmit the virus to the unvaccinated.

Wednesday Los Angeles County reported eight new COVID-19 deaths and 515 new cases.

Cal State LA Briefly Opens Up COVID Vaccines To Anyone Over 18, Then Pulls Back

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 03:30:13 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — There were long lines outside the federally-run COVID-19 vaccine supersite at California State University, Los Angeles, Thursday morning, one day after officials announced that they had such an excess of COVID-19 vaccine doses that they would allow anyone age 18 and older to walk up and receive a vaccination.

People stand in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at the Cal State LA site. April 8, 2021. (CBSLA)

However, the site got so much demand, that by 10 a.m. Thursday, officials were forced to halt the walk-up vaccinations and only fulfill those with advanced appointments.

“I heard it in the news and I was one of those, telling all my friends, ‘you gotta go over there right now, there are no appointments,” said Christian Lugo, a South Gate resident. “And then a bit later they retracted on that.”

Car after car crept through the campus entrance at the federally run massive vaccination site Thursday.

“They said there was going to be walk-in appointments, and that there was nobody here, so I looked it up and rushed down here, it took me like 30 minutes to get here,” Manuel Dominguez of Newport Beach told CBSLA Thursday morning.

However, when he arrived, he learned that was not the case.

“We were just talking to a couple of the military people right there,” Dominguez said. We could be here all day, we might not get an appointment, we might not get a vaccine.”

The state’s Office of Emergency Services had reported Wednesday that so many Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments at the Cal State LA site were going unfilled that they were opening up the vaccination site to anyone age 18 and older. However, on Thursday morning CAL OES reversed course, saying that the appointments had filled up.

“We drove like 40 minutes to get here, and we waited in line for like over an hour now, so at this point, we’re gonna keep waiting and see what happens,” David Houle of Venice Beach said.

Meanwhile, beginning this coming Monday, the city of L.A. will take over operation of the site from the federal government.

“To the extent to which appointments go unfilled, there may be a limited number of appointments available as walk ups for individuals 18+ between tomorrow and continuing through Sunday when management of the site transfers to the city,” CAL OES spokesman Brian Ferguson told CBSLA in a statement Wednesday. “Providing vaccinators working at the site some flexibility to fill vacant appointment slots allows us to expand the rate of vaccinations in California in an efficient, effective and equitable manner.”

Vaccination eligibility opened up on April 1 to anyone 50 years and older, and beginning April 15, anyone 16 years old and up will be able to get the vaccine across California.

“I went online and I made an appointment anyway just in case,” said Wallace Flowers. “And I’m glad I did, looking at the number of people that are out here!”

OPEN SLOTS! Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments are still available @CalStateLA this week. Register and book an appointment at https://t.co/oBmSONhGtS or call 1-833-422-4255. pic.twitter.com/7Nah0kFKR3

— Cal OES (@Cal_OES) April 7, 2021

Vaccination clinics have been popping up all over the region, making it easier than ever to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

On Wednesday, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the opening of a new clinic at the Million-Dollar Theater, next to Grand Central Market, in downtown L.A. He urged restaurant workers and their families to get vaccinated, regardless of their immigration status or health insurance access.

Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar appeared with Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner to encourage parents to get their vaccinations at George Washington Prep Senior High School or Abraham Lincoln Senior High in Lincoln Heights, the first of 25 LAUSD campuses that will host vaccine clinics.

“The LA Unified School District will continue in its outreach to all the students and make sure they all will get the benefit of the vaccine because we all wanna get well, we don’t want to lose anymore people to the COVID virus,” Abdul-Jabbar said.

Other vaccine clinics also launched Wednesday at Los Angeles City College and at the Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA, both of which require appointments.

The drive-thru and walk-up clinic launched at LA City College, but future clinics – which are open to the general public and members of L.A. Care and Blue Shield Promise — will take place on select days at hard-hit locations like East Los Angeles, Pacoima, Lynwood and the Antelope Valley. Appointments for the L.A. Care clinic can be made at lacare.org/vaccine.

The Southeast-Rio Vista YMCA clinic will be open through Saturday for eligible Southeast Los Angeles Collaborative members who live and work in Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Florence-Firestone, Maywood, Huntington Park, Lynwood, South Gate, Vernon and Walnut Park. A total of 2,000 Johnson & Johnson doses are expected to be distributed over the four-day clinic.

SELA Mobile #COVID19 Vaccination Clinic

Southeast Rio Vista YMCA
4801 E 58th St, Maywood, CA 90270

WHEN
Wed. April 7 – Sat. April 10

Register
April 7 https://t.co/rzyjsFqxZe
April 8 https://t.co/JOWEdzwUCe
April 9 https://t.co/Wtt2xGkL5g
April 10 https://t.co/dSKQ1GAJaj pic.twitter.com/BWRmPsIAuU

— SELA Collaborative (@selacollab) April 5, 2021

Meanwhile, eligible residents of Glendale and its surrounding communities can get their vaccines this Friday at a mass vaccination site at Glendale Community College. The site will be run by Jewel City Vax Clinic in partnership with the city, Glendale Community College, and Adventist Health Glendale, and will have the capacity to administer 10,000 vaccinations per week. Appointments at this site can be made at the state’s MyTurn website.

Murder Suspect Mistakenly Released, Police Searching For Him In DTLA Area

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 05:19:07 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A murder suspect whose case was “erroneously” dismissed was released from Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood and on the loose in the downtown Los Angeles area on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The southbound 101 Freeway was temporarily closed in the search for 24-year-old Steven Manzo of Hawaiian Gardens.

Manzo is accused in the July 2018 shooting death of 24-year-old Salvador Corrales in Long Beach.

The L.A. County District Attorney’s office says there was a court hearing Tuesday morning where charges were dismissed and immediately refiled.

A judge remanded Manzo into custody, but it’s unclear if he was physically in the courtroom, because of coronavirus protocols, and clearly the system wasn’t updated to show he was supposed to stay in jail, so he was let go.

Source: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

The shooting happened on July 26, 2018 around 9:05 p.m in a parking lot in the 6700 block of Cherry Avenue.

Deputies did not find the victim there but said there was evidence of a shooting in the parking lot.

The victim, Corrales, was later found in a vehicle in the 5800 block of Florence Avenue in Bell Gardens with gunshot wounds.

Manzo was linked to the shooting as a suspect and detectives said he knew Corrales, and agreed to meet in the parking lot before a dispute took place, leading to the deadly shooting.

Manzo was taken into custody on March 5, 2020, near his residence and was being held on a $2 million bail before what officials called the “erroneous dismissal” of his murder case.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact authorities.21

Bell Gardens Police Find`Ghost Gun’ While Searching For Suspect

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 23:51:28 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — Authorities Sunday sought the public’s help in locating a man who abandoned a vehicle during a pursuit with police in Bell Gardens and left a “ghost gun” – a weapon with no manufacturer-imprinted serial number – near or inside the car.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle sometime Friday for a traffic violation, which triggered a pursuit that came to an end in the 6600 block of Garfield Avenue, said Lt. Ruben Musquiz of the Bell Gardens Police Department.

***Press Release***

Date: Friday, March 05, 2021
Contact: Ruben Musquiz, Lieutenant
Phone: (562) 806-7617

Pursuit ends with recovery of loaded firearm#pressrelease #bgpd #BellGardens #pursuit #handgun #ghostgun #police pic.twitter.com/cF6NKUSv70

— Bell Gardens Police (@BellGardens_PD) March 7, 2021

The driver ran away into an adjoining residential area, Musquiz said.

“Where the driver was last seen, officers located a loaded 9mm handgun with an extended magazine,” he said. “The handgun is commonly referred to as a `ghost’ gun due to the fact it contained no manufacturer imprinted serial number.”

Police set up a perimeter but the person was not found.

Bell Gardens police urged anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect to call them at 562-806-7617.

Driver Killed After Car Careens Into Restaurant In Bell Gardens

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 16:20:20 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) – A driver was killed after a car slammed into the front of a restaurant in Bell Gardens in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day.

Jan. 1, 2021. (CBSLA)

The crash occurred in the 5700 block of East Gage Avenue just after midnight Friday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The driver struck a light pole before crashing through the restaurant. The driver was pronounced dead on scene. The victim was not identified.

Inspectors are examining whether the restaurant building sustained any structural damage.

There was no word on what may have caused the crash. Bell Gardens police are investigating.

Suspected Hit-And-Run Driver Arrested In Fatal Downtown LA Crash

Mon, 18 May 2020 04:42:16 +0000

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – A driver has been arrested in a deadly hit-and-run that happened earlier this month near downtown Los Angeles.

59-year-old Maria Perez of Bell Gardens is accused of hitting and killing 51-year-old Byern Smith around 2 a.m. on May 7 as he was walking in the 1600 block of East Seventh Street, police said.

The 2005 Scion xB was seen fleeing the scene and Smith was pronounced dead.

The vehicle was spotted on Sunday and police took Perez into custody.

Perez was booked on felony hit-and-run, a second unspecified felony charge and two outstanding misdemeanor warrants, according to the LAPD.

She is being held on $100,000 bail, according to jail records.

Police said Perez is due in court Monday regarding the two felony warrants.

A $25,000 reward had been offered for information leading to the driver’s arrest.

Coronavirus: LA County Requests Emergency Hearing Over Project Roomkey After Bell Gardens, Lawndale Tell Hotels To Stop Housing Homeless

Sat, 18 Apr 2020 02:53:16 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Attorneys for Los Angeles County Friday filed a request for an emergency hearing with a federal judge, alleging that court-ordered efforts to help house homeless people at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus were being hindered by objections from Lawndale and Bell Gardens.

According to the filing in Los Angeles federal court, the county received correspondence from the two cities threatening to interfere with Project Roomkey, an initiative to secure housing at participating hotels and motels for vulnerable populations experiencing homelessness.

Included in the filing was a letter to a hotel operator from Bell Gardens’ city attorney in connection with the “unauthorized decision to sublease the hotel … to be utilized as a medical shelter and quarantine housing for contagious and high-risk patients potentially infected with COVID-19.”

The letter demanded that the hotel stop bringing in new homeless tenants and transfer its existing tenants to other facilities.

“The unauthorized operation of a medical facility” constituted a breach of the hotel’s lease with the city, according to the letter, and the letter said that if immediate steps were not taken, the city would be “forced to seek remedies,” including terminating the lease and essentially closing the hotel.

The letter dated Wednesday further warned that Bell Gardens planned to file a motion for a temporary restraining order in Superior Court by Tuesday, unless an agreement was reached.

A statement from the city of Bell Gardens reiterated the point made in the letter:

“The operations of the medical sheltering facility are outside of the allowable uses of the hotel. The city expects to work with the hotel business owner to ensure the hotel is operated in accordance with allowable uses.”

A second letter included in the county’s filing from Lawndale’s city attorney to the operator of a hotel in that city stated that the agreement with the county “to become a temporary homeless shelter” was “negotiated and executed in complete secrecy” without any input from the city, and if the agreement was not terminated, the city would schedule a public Planning Commission hearing to consider revoking the hotel’s special use permit.

The Lawndale attorney wrote that “while Project Roomkey is a well-intended program to help the most vulnerable homeless in Los Angeles County during the COVID-19 global pandemic, the city believes that allowing the (hotel) to operate as a shelter could cause irreparable harm to the Lawndale community.”

The county’s filing asks U.S. District Judge David Carter to schedule an “immediate intervention.”

The judge “can play a valuable role in the county’s efforts to successfully implement” Project Roomkey in the two cities, the county wrote, asking that Bell Gardens and Lawndale city officials be ordered to appear.

Project Roomkey is a state-supported and FEMA-approved program to secure hotel and motel rooms in local communities to provide safe isolation capacity for vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in order to protect them and their neighbors from COVID-19 during the ongoing public health emergency.

The county has contracts for beds with more 25 hotels for a combined total of 2,500 beds in cities in the Antelope Valley, the South Bay, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, and metropolitan Los Angeles.

Teen Suspect Who Shot At Officers Near Bell Gardens Elementary School Found Dead After Standoff

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 06:20:05 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — Following a nearly 12-hour standoff, a 17-year-old boy suspected of opening fire on officers near Bell Gardens Elementary School Thursday was found dead from what was likely a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to Bell Gardens police, the situation unfolded at about 9:30 a.m. near Jaboneria Road and Eastern Avenue when two officers tried to stop two teen suspects who were known to them. The two ran away on foot, and in the process, one of them opened fire on the officers. The officers returned fire, police said.

A massive multi-agency search ensued and a perimeter was established. Bell Gardens Elementary School was temporarily put on lockdown and parents were contacted to pick up their children as a precaution.

“I hope they catch him because it’s a concern for everybody,” parent Elvis Olivares said.

Police eventually determined that the suspect who had opened fire on them was hiding inside an apartment, possibly with a female, and had threatened to kill himself. Surrounding streets were shut down.

“SWAT teams, battering rams, K-9 units coming by,” resident Robert Ricoy said. “They actually had somebody right here on Gotham, threw a couple of flashbangs and everything, sent the dogs in there and came up empty.”

At around 7:15 p.m., police fired tear gas into the building hoping to draw the teen out. At 8:45 p.m., officers entered to find him dead from what was likely a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was not identified.

Police said the second suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was found in a separate location and taken into custody. It’s unclear what the two boys had been wanted on.

Huntington Park Named California’s ‘Most Miserable’ City, Business Insider Says

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 22:58:17 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Huntington Park is California’s “most miserable” city, according to census data compiled by Business Insider, ranking 10th on the list of 1,000 of America’s most miserable cities.

In total, California has 210 entries on the list with the majority of those cities in the southern part of the state.

Rankings were based on factors such as population change, the percentage of people with jobs, median household incomes, median commute times, the number of people living in poverty, and the percentage of people without health insurance.

Overall, Gary, Indiana, ranked first, followed by Port Arthur, Texas, and Detroit as the third most miserable city in America.

Southern California cities in the Top 100:

Huntington Park (10)
Bell Gardens (14)
Lynwood (21)
El Monte (22)
Palmdale (36)
Montebello (40)
Compton (41)
San Bernardino (42)
Hemet (44)
Lancaster (50)
National City (55)
Hesperia (59)
Inglewood (60)
Paramount (61)
La Puente (62)
Victorville (66)
Pomona (83)
Monterey Park (89)
Baldwin Park (93)

See the full list of cities here.

Armed Robbery Suspects Lead Deputies On Wild Chase, Share Romantic Moment In Bell Gardens Backyard

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 05:10:29 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — Two armed robbery suspects led sheriff’s deputies on a wild pursuit through the streets of East LA, Commerce, and Bell Gardens Wednesday afternoon, and shared a romantic moment before surrendering.

During the pursuit, the driver, 21-year-old Amelia Pestano, went the wrong way up streets, weaved in and out of lanes and narrowly avoided a crash.

The duo even came close to pushing a pick up truck out of their way in Bell Gardens.

The car eventually stopped in an alley near Fostoria Street and Eastern Avenue.

Pestano, and her passenger, 23-year-old Edgar Acosta, got out of the car and ran. Pestano made a daring leap from roof to roof and down onto a car, as neighbors in the houses below rushed to lock their doors.

She continued to flee, running along the tops of walls before eventually joining Acosta on the roof of a backyard shed.

And then, in true “Bonnie and Clyde” fashion, the duo engaged in a romantic embrace before deciding to surrender to the pursuing officers.

Pestano and Acosta were then taken into custody without incident.

They were both charged with attempted robbery, possession of fire arms and felony evading.

Bell Gardens Youth Football Team Raising Funds To Replace Stolen Equipment

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 15:57:57 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — The Bell Gardens youth football team is supposed to play its first game in just a few weeks, but a weekend theft left the team with no equipment for the fast approaching season.

This storage shed used to house all of the equipment for Bell Gardens Youth Football. (BELL GARDENS YOUTH FOOTBALL)

Police said someone broke into a storage shed just feet from where the team practices at Bell Garden High School over the weekend and stole tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of football equipment.

“It’s a devastating loss to a program that has to raise money every year to basically sustain itself,” Scott Fairfield, Bell Gardens police chief, said.

The boys, ages 5 to 14, are trying to stay positive, but they’re now practicing without helmets, shoulder pads and knee pads.

“It’s definitely heartbreaking,” Angela Olague, city athletic director, said. “Above anything else, it’s heartbreaking.”

Thomas Bracken, a 13-year-old who plays on the team, said it’s more than just football. He said being part of the team taught him how to take better care of himself and care for others.

“There’s 13- to 15-year-old kids here that just want to have fun,” he said. “If you’re stealing from that, then you need some higher life standards.”

Former player Juan Barajes has already stepped up, donating his own shoulder and knee pads to the team.

“This is the least I could do,” he said.

The team is now asking the community for donations. A GoFundMe page has been set up, and as of Wednesday morning had raised more than $2,500.

Woman Captured In Bell Gardens After Stealing SUV With 2 Children Inside

Fri, 08 Mar 2019 18:44:56 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) – A woman was captured in Bell Gardens after allegedly stealing an SUV Friday morning which had two young children inside, authorities said.

Surveillance video shows a female suspect walking away from an SUV which police say she stole with two children inside. She abandoned the vehicle in a Bell Gardens parking lot. March 8, 2019. (CBS2)

At around 7:40 a.m., the suspect stole a Nissan Xterra in the city of Bell after a mother briefly left her kids — a 5-year-old girl and a 4-month-old infant — inside the vehicle while she ran back into her home to grab something, Bell police said.

(CBS2)

The woman drove it for about six blocks before abandoning the vehicle in a restaurant parking lot in the 5700 block of Gage Avenue in neighboring Bell Gardens. She left the two children in the SUV and ran away, Bell police said. Security video obtained by CBS2 from a restaurant in the parking lot showed the woman walking away from the vehicle.

Officers swarmed the area and found the suspect a short time later. Her name was not immediately released. The children were rescued unhurt, police said, and reunited with their mother. The 5-year-old girl was able to identify the suspect, police said.

“But she did great,” Bell police Det. Marisol Lomeli told CBS2. “She gave us descriptions. We actually had her identify two people.”

A motive for the theft was not immediately confirmed. It’s unclear if the suspect knew the family of the children.

The investigation is ongoing.

Evacuations After 8 Suffer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning At Bell Gardens Home

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 21:44:23 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) – Eight people, including three children, suffered carbon monoxide poisoning at a home in Bell Gardens Tuesday morning, prompting a hazmat callout which forced surrounding homes to be evacuated.

Jan. 15, 2019. (CBS2)

At around 9:15 a.m., Bell Gardens police and Los Angeles County Fire crews were called to the 5500 block of Clara Street, where they found several people suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The eight patients were rushed to local hospitals. Two children were in critical but stable condition, the fire department said. The other seven were in fair condition.

Police said that surrounding homes were evacuated and traffic on Clara Street was diverted.

The cause of the carbon monoxide leak was under investigation by LACFD hazmat. There was no immediate word on whether the eight patients all resided in the home.

Police: Knife-Wielding Man Shot, Killed By Officers After Stabbing Stepfather

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 19:30:06 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) – A knife-wielding man was shot and killed by Bell Gardens police officers Wednesday night after he stabbed his stepfather.

The shooting occurred at 10:18 p.m. at a home in the 5900 block of Loveland Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

(CBS2)

Officers responding to a 911 call about a family disturbance came upon an agitated 24-year-old Hispanic man, the sheriffs’ department reports.

Officers chased the suspect into the home, where they witnessed him stab his 33-year-old stepfather with a knife, LASD said. That is when they shot him in the upper torso. He died at the scene.

The victim was rushed to a hospital where he was in stable condition Thursday, the sheriff’s department said.

No officers were hurt.

No names were released. The sheriff’s department is investigating.

Man Dies After Road Rage Shooting On 710 Freeway

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 16:55:53 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — A man who was shot in a road range incident on the 710 Freeway has died of his injuries, authorities said Friday.

Shots were fired at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday, after a road rage incident on the northbound 710 Freeway, north of the 91 Freeway in South Gate. The victim was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved.

Details of the road rage incident were not available, but the suspect fired several rounds, hitting the victim at least once in the upper torso, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Deputy Trina Schrader said.

The driver of the victim vehicle got off the freeway on Florence Avenue and drove to a parking lot to call for help, Schrader said. The victim was then taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver was not hurt.

A description of the suspect or vehicle were not immediately available.

Anyone with information about either the road rage incident or the shooting can call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

‘I Saw My Life Flashing Before Me’: Video Shows Officer Pull Gun From Holster After Asking Unarmed Man To Show ID

Sat, 19 May 2018 03:48:58 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — A man filming a routine traffic stop in southeast Los Angeles County said he feared for his life when a police officer pulled his gun out of his holster after asking him for identification.

Desmond Taylor, 30, told CBS2 News he was on his way to a job interview at Tesla when the driver of the car he was traveling in through Bell Gardens got pulled over for running a stop sign.

Taylor said he started filming the Bell Gardens police officer who stopped them with his cellphone. The officer then went over to Taylor’s side of the vehicle and asked him for identification.

“I need you to identify yourself so I could either cite you or warn you for not having your seat belt,” he tells Taylor.

“OK, let me look in my bag and see if I have my DMV paper, OK?” Taylor replies. “Go ahead,” the officer responds, as the camera begins pointing downward.

The officer continues, “Go ahead, and be careful how you […] grab in there,” as he is seen pulling his firearm out of his holster.

“Whoa,” Taylor says during the cross-talk. “Look , man. Put that gun down, brother.”

“Go ahead. Go ahead, look at it,” the officer says.

“Put the gun down, sir. Why you pulling your gun out, sir?” Taylor asks.

“No one’s pulling it out,” the officer says with the gun in his right hand at his side. “I’m just being prepared. I like living just like you, OK?”

“Sir! You gotta — dude, c’mon, man,” Taylor objects. “Be humane, bro.”

“Listen, I’m’a step back,” the officer concedes.

“Be humane, my man. I’m looking for my —”

“Go ahead. [unintelligible] Go ahead.”

“I’m looking for my — put your gun, dude — put your gun away.”

“I will put it away,” the officer says as he finally holsters his weapon.

“Let me look in my bag for my documents, please,” Taylor says as the officer leaves his hand on the holstered weapon.

Smiling, the officer then reverses the roles and lifts his arms to his sides to show he has nothing in his hands.

“Why you doing this, man?” Taylor asks.

Taylor told CBS2 that at that moment, he feared for his life, saying, “I saw my life flashing before me.”

To add to his frustration, the hour-long traffic stop made Taylor, a music producer, miss his interview.

“I don’t have anything on me. I don’t have any warrants, I have a clear background, and I was eventually let go, but the sad thing is it was a missed opportunity for me,” said Taylor. “It’s something that should’ve never happened, something that should’ve never escalated to this point.”

The officer never pointed the gun at Taylor, but he, nonetheless, feels the fact that the officer even pulled it out of his holster is wrong.

“This is not OK, you know?” Taylor told CBS2. “The actions by that police officer was not OK.”

The Bell Gardens PD told CBS2 they were beginning to review the case but had no comment Friday.

Taylor said he has hired an attorney and plans to file a lawsuit.

Body Found Inside Burning Car In Bell Gardens

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 19:18:01 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA) — Firefighters putting out the flames from a burning car parked in a Bell Gardens shopping center early Tuesday made a grisly discovery – a body inside.

The fire was reported after 2 a.m. in the parking lot of a Marshalls, 5810 E. Florence Ave., just around the corner from the Bicycle Casino and a block away from the 710 Freeway.

The body was so badly burned, sheriff’s officials said it was hard to tell how the person was killed.

Sheriff’s detectives and arson investigators are now trying to determine if the death was an accident or a homicide. Detectives are also looking at fresh tire marks left on the pavement near where the car was parked.

4, Including Pregnant Woman, Arrested At End Of Bell Gardens Standoff

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:56:03 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Four people were taken into custody early Friday after a flash bang was fired into a Bell Gardens hotel to end a standoff with the Hawthorne police SWAT team.

One of the suspects was wanted in connection with an assault on a police officer on Thursday, Hawthorne police Lt. Robbie Williams said. Two men and two women, one of whom is reportedly pregnant, were all taken into custody at about 4:20 a.m.

All four were tracked to the Quality Inn & Suites, 7330 Eastern Ave., where the standoff began late Thursday night.

No officers or suspects were injured, Williams said.

Whoops! Toy Reportedly Filled With Cocaine Shows No Trace Of Drugs

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 06:00:10 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — A child’s toy found in a vending machine that initially tested positive for drugs had no cocaine inside it, officials said Wednesday.

On Monday, a concerned parent reported to police that their child retrieved a toy from a vending machine at Taqueria Los Altos, a restaurant in Bell Gardens.

While her child was playing with the toy, it ruptured and a white powdery substance — about 5 grams — spilled out.

Police in Bell Gardens reported the substance tested positive for cocaine. In all, about 135 grams (4.8 ounces) was confiscated.

Authorities alerted the public via social media about the potential health risk.

Further investigation revealed the initial testing revealed a “false positive.”

Police located the toy vendor. The powder resembles talcum powder or baking soda. The actual substance is yet to be officially determined.

The substance, whatever it is, has been deemed harmless.

At the restaurant, a staple in the community for 27 years, it was business as usual Wednesday evening.

“We feel relieved since we were getting bad reviews,” said Edgar Ramirez, the owner’s nephew.

Ramirez told KCAL 9’s Andrea Fujii they lost business when the public thought they might be connected to drugs.

“My uncle was stressed out,” says Ramirez. “We lost clients for two days because they thought my uncle was involved in coke and all that.”

Ramirez says his uncle hopes everyone can now move on.

“Everything goes through social media,” Ramirez said, “and people are going to be seeing ‘Oh, this restaurant sells coke.’ But they may not see the positive review now that it was all fake.”

Police: Cocaine Found In Toys Sold In Vending Machine At Bell Gardens Restaurant

Wed, 07 Jun 2017 05:40:07 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — A mother and her young son made a disturbing discovery when a toy they purchased from a Bell Gardens restaurant vending machine turned out to contain cocaine, police said.

A squishy ball in a plastic container similar to a stress ball was purchased about 9:30 p.m. Monday from a gumball-type machine at Taqueria Los Altos at 6939 Eastern Ave., according to Bell Gardens police Detective Miguel Torres.

“While her son was playing with the putty-ball toy, it ruptured and a white powdery substance came out,” Torres said, adding that the mother then called police.

PHOTOS: Cocaine Found In Vending Machine Toys

Officers showed up with a drug-testing kit. They ran the powder through it, and it came back as cocaine, and a total of 136 grams (4.8 ounces) of the drug were removed and recovered, according to the detective.

Detectives on the case told CBS2/KCAL9’s Jeff Nguyen that amount of cocaine is not a small amount.

“It was weird because me and my sister get toys sometimes. and then when I heard about it, I was like I’m not going to get them anymore,” said one restaurant customer.

Customer Candace Mahan called the incident upsetting.

“These are kids, small kids coming in here looking for stuff in the machines,” added Mahan.

Police said the machine belongs to a company called Snack Time Vending.

Detectives don’t think that the restaurant or the vending company are involved. They are investigating how the cocaine got into the machine.

“We contracted with this company for the past couple years, but no way are we affiliated with this company. We only lease the location to the company,” said Alfredo Sanchez, the restaurant’s spokesman.

Police said the ball had a smiley face on it and that they want to warn parents of children who might buy items from these types of machines. Police said that the machine in question has been removed from the restaurant.

Feds Raid Bicycle Casino In Bell Gardens In ‘Criminal Fraud’ Probe

Wed, 05 Apr 2017 00:00:30 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Federal agents Tuesday shut down and raided the Bicycle Hotel & Casino in Bell Gardens as part of a criminal fraud investigation, authorities said.

Authorities with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed the raid at the casino complex located at 888 Bicycle Casino Drive but declined to provide details of the raid.

“The search warrant issued by a United States magistrate judge was filed under seal in relation to an ongoing investigation,” said Virginia Kice of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Because the warrant is under seal, we are not able to comment on the scope or nature of the investigation.”

The raid was a part of a “criminal fraud” investigation, according to KNX 1070’s Pete Demetriou.

#BREAKING Federal agents shut down Bicycle Casino & Hotel in Bell Gardens for "criminal fraud" investigation. More to come..@KNX1070 @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/JeNCtcpq5o

— Pete Demetriou (@knxpete) April 4, 2017

The raid was conducted by nine state and federal agencies, including the Los Angeles High Intensity Financial Crime Area Task Force, the IRS, the California Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, officials said.

A rep told CBS2’s Kara Finnstrom the casino would remain closed as the investigation continues. One woman staying at the hotel said guests were not asked to leave.

A statement released by a Bicycle Hotel & Casino said they “are working with authorities and currently do not have additional information. As soon as the federal agents have completed their work, we will be in full operation.”

The Bicycle Club was seized in 1990 after investigators said the club was partly built with laundered drug money.

Smash-And-Grab Robber In Bell Gardens Was Hoping For Big Windfall But Ended Up With Windex

Sat, 25 Mar 2017 06:04:26 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — A would-be burglar who tried to steal a large screen television, now, ironically finds himself on TV.

The burglar is shown on surveillance video shattering the front door of a Bell Gardens business and then making his way inside the shop.

Police said the man was wearing a plastic mask along with a hoodie. But it’s what happened next — reports KCAL 9’s Tom Wait — that had detectives shaking their heads and many people laughing.

The would-be thief tries to make off with the TV. But the struggle is real for this burglar — the TV mounts are stubborn.

Try as he might, the set just won’t come off the wall. The suspect flings himself on top of it, uses all of his body weight, bounces up and down on it.

Finally, the set comes down -– but apparently he was scared off. After all that work he leaves without the flat screen.

One man giggled when shown the video.

This was pretty much the reaction from folks when Wait showed them the video. Giggles and laughs and puzzlement.

“It’s just like so dumb for him to do something like that, you know?,” said one woman. “When the cameras are watching.”

“He thought he could like easily get the TV but obviously he was having trouble pulling it out of the wall,” said one man.

Police say the thief did get away with a laptop – and — a bottle of Windex. He ran off into the night before he could be caught — apparently the bungling burglar was not seriously hurt from his tumble.

“It’s funny to watch the video, but I mean, if you want to steal something make sure it’s not[ [stuck] on to the wall,” said one woman.

Wife Of Slain Bell Gardens Mayor Gets 3 Months Jail For His Killing

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 21:40:57 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The wife of a suburban Los Angeles mayor has been sentenced to three months in jail for killing him in their home.

Lyvette Crespo was sentenced Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2014 killing of Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo.

Lyvette Crespo had claimed she shot him three times in the chest to protect herself and their son.

She said her husband had abused her for years and she was intervening in an argument after he punched their son in the face.

The son called 911 to report the shooting, telling a dispatcher: “He’s on the floor dying. He hurt me.”

Daniel Crespo, a probation officer, was mayor of the city of about 42,000 residents.

She will be on probation five years.

Wife Of Bell Gardens Mayor Pleads Guilty To His Killing

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 20:19:16 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The wife of slain Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo pleaded guilty Wednesday to voluntary manslaughter for shooting him three times in their home just over two years ago.

Lyvette Crespo, 45, faces three months in county jail, 500 hours of community service and five years formal probation under a disposition reached with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She is set to be formally sentenced on Jan. 5.

Daniel Crespo Sr., 45, was shot to death on Sept. 30, 2014 at the couple’s home in Bell Gardens following an argument, according to authorities. Lyvette Crespo later claimed she had been the victim of domestic violence for years, while Crespo’s brother told reporters his sister-in-law may have learned his brother was having an affair.

One of the woman’s attorneys told the judge that she wanted to plead no contest, but the prosecutor insisted on a guilty plea and Crespo eventually acquiesced after speaking with her lawyers.

“She should plead guilty to what she did,” Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said outside court. “The factual basis is that she shot him three times in the chest.”

Outside court, Crespo’s brother William objected to the plea agreement, which he said he heard about for the first time during the hearing.

“I’m hurt. I’m confused, all kinds of emotions are going on right now,” he told reporters. “I’m so shocked. I still can’t believe that she’s gonna get away with this … She should pay for what she did. She killed my brother.”

He said he believes his sister-in-law’s sentence “should be a long time,” or the death penalty.

“She should receive the same thing she did to my brother,” he said. “She should receive the death penalty.”

Another of her attorneys, Roger Lowenstein, told reporters last month that two deals had been on the table. The first, involving a plea of involuntary manslaughter, was withdrawn by prosecutors who then sought a voluntary manslaughter plea. Both deals were for probation with no jail time, he said.

“Lyvette Crespo is innocent. This is a self-defense case,” Lowenstein said, alleging her husband “tortured (her) for 28 years.”

He said then that it made sense for Crespo to take the deal and “start healing” given the risk of a possible 21-year sentence and a mandatory 10-year term for using a firearm if she had gone to trial and been convicted.

Crespo was indicted in April 2015 on the voluntary manslaughter charge.

A civil lawsuit filed Oct. 20, 2014, by Daniel Crespo’s mother alleges her daughter-in-law picked a fight with him knowing that their son would intervene, then opened a safe, grabbed a gun and killed her husband “with malice and in cold blood.”

Plea Deal For Wife Of Slain Bell Gardens Mayor Falls Apart

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 20:20:08 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A plea deal has fallen apart for the wife of slain Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo Sr., who claims she shot and killed him in self-defense after enduring years of abuse at his hands.

During a discussion about potential trial dates for Lyvette Crespo, 45, a judge asked if a plea deal had been struck.

The attorneys said they had tried to reach a deal, but the offer was apparently not approved by supervisors in the District Attorney’s Office.

Defense attorney Eber Bayona said the family had a strong voice in the decision-making process and that he believed the parties are now at an impasse.

A pretrial hearing was scheduled for Nov. 30, with a tentative trial date of Jan. 5.

Outside the courtroom, co-defense counsel Roger Lowenstein said his client had been considering two plea deals for probation with no jail time.

The first, for a deal involving a charge of involuntary manslaughter, was withdrawn by prosecutors who instead wanted a voluntary manslaughter plea.

“Lyvette Crespo is innocent. This is a self-defense case,” Lowenstein said, alleging her husband “tortured (her) for 28 years.”

However, given the risk of wrongful conviction, a possible 21-year sentence and a mandatory 10-year term for using a firearm, Lowenstein said it made sense for his client to take the deal and “start healing.”

William Crespo, the brother of Daniel Crespo Sr., spoke out against the deal when he learned of it.

Crespo was indicted by a grand jury on a voluntary manslaughter charge in the Sept. 30, 2014, shooting death of her husband.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators have said the mayor and his wife were arguing when their then-19-year-old son, Daniel Crespo Jr., intervened, leading to a struggle between father and son.

Lyvette Crespo claims she was protecting the couple’s son when she grabbed a handgun and shot her husband, who had allegedly punched the young man in the face.

Bayona contends that Daniel Crespo “was a man who abused not only his wife but other women” and mentally and physically abused his children.

William Crespo has denied allegations that his brother was abusive, but said the mayor had a series of extramarital affairs that angered his wife.

Bell Gardens Man Acquitted Of Kidnapping Ex-Girlfriend’s Teenage Daughter

Sat, 05 Mar 2016 01:17:08 +0000

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A Bell Gardens man accused of abducting his former girlfriend’s teenage daughter in Santa Ana and sexually assaulting her for more than 10 years was acquitted Friday of kidnapping.

Jurors deadlocked 9-3 in favor of guilt on a rape charge against Isidro Medrano Garcia, prompting Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky to drop that count.

But the 42-year-old was convicted of committing lewd acts on a child.

Prosecutors said Garcia kidnapped the 15-year-old girl in August 2004, impregnating her and moved her around Southern California. He even changed his identity as well as her name and age so he could legally marry her.

Garcia was accused of forcing his captive into marriage in 2007 and had a child with her in 2012. The victim said she took pills to enhance her fertility during her time with Garcia, according to Bokosky.

In 2014, the victim went to the Bell Gardens police station and told officers she was being abused and wanted a divorce.

Elenor Miklos was one of 12 jurors who voted in favor of convicting Garcia of rape. “I felt like she was a 15-year-old child. She was only in this country for a couple of months, and here’s a 30-year-old taking advantage of her. I do believe that she said that she wanted him to stop, and he should have stopped. I think that’s rape,” Miklos said.

The defense attorney argued that the girl had many chances to leave Garcia over the course of 10 years and go to authorities, but she did not.

Garcia faces up to four years and four months in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced April 15.

Walmart Announces Plans To Shut Down 7 Stores In LA Amid Worldwide Closures

Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:40:49 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Walmart announced plans Friday to close seven stores in Los Angeles County.

The announcement comes three months after its CEO Doug McMillon told investors the world’s largest retailer would review its store fleet in amid increasing competition from all fronts, including from online rival Amazon.com.

“Closing stores is never an easy decision, but it is necessary to keep the company strong and positioned for the future,” McMillion said in a written statement. “It’s important to remember that we’ll open more than 300 stores around the world next year. We are committed to growing, but we are being disciplined about it.”

In total, the retailer plans to shut down 269 stores in the U.S. and worldwide.

In the U.S., 154 locations will be closed, most of them small format stores called Walmart Express, which were launched as a test program in 2011. The remaining 115 locations that will shut down are spread over Latin America, mostly in Brazil.

According to retailer, more than 95 percent of the stores that are set to be closed nationwide are within 10 miles of another Walmart.

The stores being shuttered account for a fraction of the company’s 11,000 stores worldwide and less than 1 percent of its global revenue.

According to CBS News, the retailer has warned that its earnings for the fiscal year starting next month will be down as much as 12 percent as it invests further in online operations and pours money into improving customers’ experience.

Looking forward, company officials said, Walmart plans to focus in the U.S. on supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, the e-commerce business and pickup services for shoppers.

The closures, which will start at the end of the month, will affect 16,000 workers. The company says 10,000 of the workers are located in the U.S.

The following stores will be closing in the greater Los Angeles area:

— Store #2949: 151 E. 5th Street in Long Beach;

— Store #2960: 4101 Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles;

— Store #5642: 2408 Lincoln Avenue in Altadena;

— Store #5688: 6820 Eastern Avenue in Bell Gardens;

— Store #3086: 701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue in Los Angeles;

— Store #5690: 2045 E. Highland Avenue in San Bernardino; and

— Store #4173: 12120 Carson Street in Hawaiian Garden.

For a complete list of store closings, click here.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

More Details Emerge About Bell Gardens Shooting That Left 3 Injured

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:43:06 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Additional details were being released Monday after a possible car-to-car shooting in which three people were injured on Sunday night.

The victims of the shooting, who remained hospitalized, told police the incident began with an altercation on the 710 Freeway.

A longtime Bell Gardens resident, who asked not to be identified by name, explains that he was picking up his grandchildren when he says he heard three gunshots.

When the man came around the corner, he says he saw a car riddled with bullet holes on Florence Avenue.

“This needs to stop … all over the place,” he said. “We’re supposed to love one another … and help each other.”

The shooting, police say, is being investigated as possible road-rage.

Three victims, two of whom are believed to be father and son, say they were followed off 710 Freeway around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Those two victims described the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored SUV and told police they were shot by a passenger after the vehicle had pulled up alongside them at a red light.

So far, police have not named a suspect or determined the motive. They are looking at whether the shooting was captured on nearby security cameras.

All three victims are expected to survive.

3 Transported To Hospital After Bell Gardens Shooting

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 05:56:55 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Three people were shot on Sunday night in Bell Gardens, authorities said.

The shooting was reported at 7:40 p.m. at Florence Avenue and Jaboneria Road, the LA Fire department said.

All three victims were taken to the hospital.

Van Topples Pole, Cuts Power To 1,000 Bell Gardens Residents

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 02:00:00 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Fire crews were called to a Bell Gardens neighborhood Wednesday afternoon after a van slammed into a power pole, which then fell into the street.

It happened around 4:15 p.m. at the corner of Jaboneria Road and Gage Avenue, the Los Angeles County Fire Department reports.

Crews worked to restore power to 1,000 nearby residents.

Attempted Murder Suspect In Custody Following Standoff At Bell Gardens Home

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:00:56 +0000

BELL GARDENS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Monday were on the scene of a barricade situation at a home in Bell Gardens.

According to the Bell Gardens Police Department, a sheriff’s SWAT team was sent to a home located in the 6000 block of Live Oak Street near Florence and Ira avenues for report of a possible barricade.

Upon their arrival, officers learned a man, who is wanted for attempted murder, barricaded himself inside of the home with a possible family member.

At 7:30 a.m., a child safely exited from inside of the home.

SWAT team members deployed tear gas, which subsequently led the suspect to exit the home.

Jose Navarro, 31, was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Wednesday in the 5800 block of Quinn Street.

No injuries were reported during the standoff.