Greetings from the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department. The following is the monthly update for June 2004. We 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. CHIEF’S MESSAGE As we move forward in 2004, the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department have much to be proud of. Over the last 20 months, through an incredible amount of smart policing and hard work, they have proven to our communities-our stakeholders- that through assertive and focused community policing, they can have a significant positive impact on crime and quality of life issues here in the City of Los Angeles. They have shown repeatedly that they can achieve ambitious goals - like the impressive reduction in homicides last year and the reductions in violent crime this year. But just as important, they have proven it can be done consistently, compassionately, and constitutionally. Their commitment over the last year and a half has led to significant and unprecedented support from the communities they are policing and its leadership, be it religious, cultural or political. One of the best examples of this was in February, when African American ministers and other activists in the City gathered at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Los Angeles Police Department to protest the violence directed at their police officers. Going one step further, these leaders also called on their communities and congregations to step forward and partner with police and to no longer remain silent about crimes being committed in their neighborhoods and on their streets. In other words, to make a difference, they had to be the difference. I consider this to be a watershed moment in the Department’s continuing effort to rebuild trust and strengthen relationships with the minority communities of Los Angeles. Another example occurred this past April as the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion introduced by Councilman Martin Ludlow and Councilwoman Janice Hahn. They spearheaded an increase in reward money from $25,000 to $75,000 for those who come forward and provide information leading to the arrest of suspects committing crimes against public safety personnel. This is a direct result of the 21 percent increase in shots fired at officers in the line of duty in 2003. As police officers work to reduce violent crime and go after the worst of the worst, the gangs on the streets are feeling the heat. Unfortunately some are choosing to push back in violent ways. It is my strong belief that as officers continue to rebuild commitment and trust with the many diverse communities, that more people will begin to come forward with information that will help us arrest those who are attacking front line officers. Another example of community support recently came from the Los Angeles Urban League. At their Annual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award Dinner in April, a videotape presentation was shown to the 1,500 guests. The presentation highlighted the positive working relationship between Department personnel and leaders in the African American community. It shows that as part of our commitment to have a Department whose members are reflective of the many diverse communities we serve, together we are trying to increase the number of African American candidates and ultimately officers in our ranks. Key players in these efforts were Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade President Danny Bakewell and Urban League President John Mack who stated, “There has clearly been a major turning point in the relationship with the LAPD and the African American community.” We are also seeing support of Department efforts from the news media in this City. Oftentimes in the past, and sometimes rightfully so, many media outlets have been critical of the Department, but that is also beginning to change. Recently, the Los Angeles Sentinel, during Black History Month, published several articles on new partnerships being formed between many African American community groups and the Los Angeles Police Department. And as I have mentioned previously, even the Los Angeles Times in an editorial titled “A Blue Line Stretched Thin” states, “The city cannot tolerate attacks on its police force. Nor can the City Council abandon its efforts to hire more cops.” This is unprecedented and much needed support from highly influential and respected news sources. As you can see, we have begun to see a turnaround in the Department’s relations with many of the communities, leaders and news outlets who have often been critical in the past. There is a new appreciation by you, the people of this City, for the work that officers do on a daily basis, for putting their lives on the line, and for the effective and efficient job that they do with the limited resources available. This appreciation has lead to increased involvement and support by a growing number of city residents and community leaders. More and more are coming forward to partner with the Department and provide information that will help officers make arrests, solve crimes and reduce the fear and violence that permeates so many of our neighborhoods. It is my hope that this show of support and trust from the community for the men and women of this Department will ultimately result in increased police funding. A half-cent county sales tax initiative, led by Sheriff Lee Baca would only cost people fifteen cents a day for an additional 1,500 to 1,800 officers for the LAPD (and 3,200 more for the rest of the county). With that number of officers, and with the help of the people of L.A., we could tip this city in the right direction. We could maintain a reduction in crime and have officers available to saturate areas during spikes in crime, while improving officer safety with significantly more police on the streets at all hours of the day. With the support of the people of Los Angeles, elected officials, and the Police Protective League, we have a golden opportunity to create a golden era, here in the golden state. I believe Angelinos are ready to move into a new era. To live in a city where crime isn’t a major concern and where a sluggish economy can once again flourish. The hard work of L.A. police officers over the past year and a half, make the strongest case for additional support for this Department. By continuing on this course, we move closer to making Los Angeles the safest big city in America - for you, the residents of this great city, and for the men and women of this Department. CRIME STATISTICS - CITY-WIDE Year to Date as of June 5, 2004 Homicide Up 2.2% Rape Up 2.7% Robbery Down -16.8% Aggravated Assault Down -13.3% Child/Spousal Abuse Down -13.1% --------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL VIOLENT CRIMES Down -14.2% Burglary Down -8.8% Burglary/Theft from Vehicle Down -6.6% Personal/Other Theft Down -7.5% Auto Theft Down -9.7% --------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL PROPERTY CRIMES Down -8.0% WILLIAM J. BRATTON 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