Greetings from the Los Angeles Police Department. The following is the monthly update for June 2002. I hope you find the information useful. You are encouraged to continue to visit our Web site at www.LAPDOnline.org as it has grown to over 10,000 pages since its inception in 1998. MARTIN H. POMERY SELECTED AS TEMPORARY CHIEF OF POLICE The Los Angeles Police Commission selected retired Deputy Chief of Police Martin H. Pomeroy to serve as temporary Chief of Police until a permanent Chief is selected later in the year. Police Commission Rick Caruso stated that Pomeroy “has an unblemished record of integrity and service to this City,” adding that he is one of the great leaders that the Department has produced. It is estimated that the process of selecting a permanent Chief of Police will take about six months. Pomeroy’s career highlights include commanding all LAPD disaster response operations in the San Fernando Valley during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In 1997, he served as the senior LAPD official at the scene of the North Hollywood Bank of America robbery and shootout. In 2000, Pomeroy was assigned the immense task of serving as the LAPD’s representative in the negotiation of the Consent Decree between the Department of Justice and the City. That same year, he served as the Department Commander for the Democratic National Convention. “ I hope that when I leave in six months, you’ll say the LAPD was better because I was here,” said Pomeroy to the media upon his appointment. His plans include boosting officer morale, recruiting new officers and dealing with the increases in crime. OPERATIONS – CENTRAL BUREAU TOWN HALL MEETING This Town Hall Meeting will bring people from the Central, Rampart, Hollenbeck, Northeast and Newton Areas together with local government to discuss community concerns. The Chief of Police will be in attendance along with the Commanding Officers from Central Bureau Community Police Stations, and other police and City officials. This is the forum for community input and a vital component of the community/police partnership. The Town Hall Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at Occidental College in Thorne Hall, 1600 Campus Road in Eagle Rock. Please join us. UNDEFEATED CENTURIONS FOOTBALL TEAM HEADS TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME The LAPD Centurions Football team, formed in 1978, is made up entirely of Los Angeles police officers who play and practice on their own time to be a part of the team. In 2001, the team won the Nation’s Public Safety Football League Championship defeating the “Gunners” from the Houston, Texas Police Department. On June 8, 2002, the Centurions are heading to Orlando, Florida to defend their championship title, playing the “New York’s Finest” of the New York Police Department. The LAPD Centurions play football for kids, as proceeds from the season go to support the Blind Children’s Center of Los Angeles. JUNE SAFETY TIPS – STAGED COLLISION PREVENTION Anyone who has ever been involved in a vehicle collision knows that it is a traumatic experience. However, how would it make you feel if you discovered a collision you were involved in was not an accident? Some collisions are in fact “staged” and are “criminal conspiracies” involving “numerous suspects.” Some common types of staged collisions motorists are exposed to are the “Swoop and Squat” and the “Drive Down.” The “Drive Down” is also known as the “Wave On.” In the “Swoop and Squat” criminals maneuver their vehicle in front of a targeted vehicle and slam on the brakes. By doing this radical maneuver, the criminals are attempting to cause the targeted vehicle to collide with the rear of their vehicle and create an accident (staged collision) where the targeted vehicle appears to be at fault. The “Drive Down” or “Wave On” involves a situation where a targeted vehicle does not have the right-of-way and criminals gesture or “wave” to the targeted motorist offering the opportunity to proceed ahead of them. When the targeted vehicle proceeds, the criminals purposely drive their vehicle into the targeted vehicle creating an accident (staged collision) attempting to make it appear the targeted vehicle is at fault. The Los Angeles Police Department suggests the following valuable tips to protect motorists from staged collisions: * If you are involved in a collision on a busy street or highway, your first and foremost thought should be your safety and the safety of your passengers. If possible, remove your vehicle from the traffic lanes. Once you and your passengers are in a safe place, exchange information with the other motorist involved. * If you think you have been involved in a staged collision make sure to count the number of passengers in the other vehicle. If possible, get their individual names, addresses, telephone numbers and driver license numbers. * Criminals involved in staged collisions prefer “lone drivers” because “passengers” make good witnesses. Luxury and commercial vehicles are often targeted because they offer the promise of extensive insurance coverage. * Be aware of persons at the scene of the collision who might be potential witnesses. Approach these persons and try to obtain a statement from them of what they saw. If you suspect you have been involved in a staged collision immediately report the crime to the LAPD. For additional information or to obtain a copy of crime prevention circulars, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (213) 485-3134, or visit our Web site at www.lapdonline.org and open the “Crime Prevention Tips” icon. MARTIN H. POMEROY Chief of Police To unsubscribe from this newsletter please click on this link http://listserv.lacity.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=lapd_monthly&A=1