latimes--2020-08-11--Across from City Hall, a protest encampment is a 'reminder' of need for police reform

James Butler was tired of watching protests against racial injustice end abruptly each night as Los Angeles police ordered demonstrators to go home .
The 22-year-old founder of Black Future Project , one of many new activist groups that sprang up in the city amid waves of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd , was among thousands of marchers who took to the streets earlier this summer calling for wholesale change to a criminal justice system he feels routinely brutalizes Black and brown people .
But as city and county officials ramped up efforts to slow protests that had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vandalism , calling in the National Guard and instituting curfews , Butler began to grow frustrated .
“ You can ’ t say ‘ defund the police ’ and then be going home when they tell you to go home , ” he said .
Instead , Butler and a few other demonstrators decided to make their home the protest .
On June 9 , they erected a camp in Grand Park that two months later has grown into both an outdoor activist community and a visible reminder to anyone walking through downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shrunk since early summer , the push for change is far from over .
“ You got ta catch the bus , you come out to Civic Center , no matter what you do , you will see this , and you ’ ll think , why are they there ?
Why are they still there ?
” said Ben Jenkins , 29 , who cooks most of the meals at the camp .
Butler ’ s group parted ways in early July , and the camp is now under the banner of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Protest occupations have launched in several U.S. cities this summer , aimed at reclaiming public spaces as demonstrations of how communities without police might work .
Results have been mixed .
Seattle ’ s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone , which spanned several blocks , was cleared out in early July after three weeks following a pair of shootings that left two young Black men dead .
Last month , a protest encampment that had sprung up across from New York City Hall in Manhattan was shut down after its initial organizers began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graffiti and vandalism in the area drew the ire of residents and police unions .
The Los Angeles encampment — which sits near City Hall , LAPD headquarters and the county ’ s largest courthouse — has drawn few objections by comparison , as the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically reduced downtown foot traffic .
Jenkins said about 30 people are directly involved with the community now ; nearly half of them spend their nights sleeping downtown in a sprawl of tents that sit behind a circle of small barricades directly across from City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrators have set up a kitchen where Jenkins fixes as many quick meals as he can from whatever food the group can scrounge .
Donations have stocked a library with a range of books from Stephen King bestsellers to tomes on art history .
A garden sits toward the back of the area , with herbs and vegetables ready to sprout in planters marked by the names of Black men and women killed by police across the country , including Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
At the edge of the garden , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fronds is a nod to the Indigenous Tongva people who once called Los Angeles home .
One hot July afternoon , 32-year-old R.J. Dawson could be seen walking around with a bucket of oranges , offering the fruit to both his fellow protesters and the homeless people living on the edges of their encampment , whom many refer to simply as “ neighbors.
” “ I do see this as a community , an example of the societal reform we hope to see , ” said Dawson , nodding toward the tents beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put ourselves in the community , and now we need to contribute.
” Videos posted to Black Unity ’ s Instagram page have shown members handing out food on skid row .
Jenkins said that when the group receives donations of perishable items , especially meat , he tries to cook all of it quickly and delivers leftover meals to the homeless people living in other parts of the park .
The group ’ s demands include an end to the practice of qualified immunity , which shields police officers from civil liability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the L.A. Unified School District ’ s campus police ; increasing de-escalation training for law enforcement ; and opening all police discipline records to the public .
Jenkins said those staying in Grand Park understand that they could be evicted at any time and have tried to minimize confrontation .
There ’ s little garbage around the site , and aside from the appearance in early July of graffiti critical of Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey , City Hall has remained largely unblemished .
“ It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it would make us look bad , ” Jenkins said .
“ I know they ’ re just waiting for any excuse to come over and try and forcibly remove us , so we ’ re not going to give them an excuse.
” The group had not faced an explicit threat until Aug. 5 , when signs appeared warning that people who stayed in the park after 10 p.m. could be arrested or fined .
Bonnie Goodman , spokeswoman for Grand Park , said park staff posted the signs at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Department , which is responsible for patrolling the area , “ to reinforce the county ’ s established rules and regulations for the park.
” Capt .
Britta Steinbrenner of the sheriff ’ s county services bureau said the agency was “ monitoring ” the group and had no plans to evict them .
“ They ’ ve been allowed to protest as long as they ’ re peaceful , ” she said .
The signs , though , drew nearly 100 protesters , who arrived that night to chant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with wooden pallets as they steeled themselves for the arrival of law enforcement that never came .
Some local leaders have begun to complain .
Patricia Berman , president of the downtown L.A. neighborhood council , released a video Aug. 8 expressing concern about “ deteriorating conditions ” near the encampment and warned residents to avoid the area .
Berman referenced a recent sexual assault in the park , though police officials have said it is not clear if the reported attack is connected to the encampment .
Capt .
T. Scott Harrelson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Central Division , said his officers generally have not “ had many issues with anybody that ’ s camping in there.
” Some staying at the camp joined a counter-protest last month to a rally on Spring Street in support of the LAPD .
Jason Morales , a 34-year-old Angeleno who was out walking with an American flag tied around his shoulders as a cape , said he considered it a “ victory ” that he was able to engage in a debate with an LAPD officer that day without a clash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ while inside the camp and has used those skills to help mitigate disputes among occupants .
“ There ’ s been things that have happened at the park , obviously , but we ’ re not going to call the police for help , ” said Butler .
“ We ’ d rather deal with it internally.
” Butler said he intended to combine education and activism when founding the camp .
In mid-June , the group held a viewing of Ava DuVernay ’ s documentary “ 13th , ” which focuses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Black Future Project had previously used the site as a staging ground for protests , and more recent events under Black Unity have focused on teaching people how to render first aid during protests .
For all the talk of community , though , apparent ideological differences split the two activist groups .
Members of Black Future Project claimed a violent clash led them to leave the park July 9 .
The current occupiers say the breakup was driven by a dispute over how to run the camp .
Jenkins said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the need for the site .
Nine days after the encampment was founded , he noted , a sheriff ’ s deputy in Gardena fatally shot 18-year-old Andres Guardado in the back five times .
Sheriff ’ s officials said Guardado was armed with a weapon and are investigating , but the incident has spurred ongoing protests and calls to prosecute the deputy who opened fire .
“ Our main focus is to stay here , planted , and be a constant reminder , ” Jenkins said .
“ Injustice is here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
”

Jason Morales, 34, of Pacoima is living with a group of people in Grand Park with the shared goal of promoting Black unity.
James Butler was tired of watching protests against racial injustice end abruptly each night as Los Angeles police ordered demonstrators to go home.
The 22-year-old founder of Black Future Project, one of many new activist groups that sprang up in the city amid waves of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd, was among thousands of marchers who took to the streets earlier this summer calling for wholesale change to a criminal justice system he feels routinely brutalizes Black and brown people.
But as city and county officials ramped up efforts to slow protests that had at times been marked by violence and vandalism, calling in the National Guard and instituting curfews, Butler began to grow frustrated.
Randalee, left, braids the hair of a fellow camper at the Black Unity L.A. encampment across the street from City Hall in Grand Park. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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“You can’t say ‘defund the police’ and then be going home when they tell you to go home,” he said.
Instead, Butler and a few other demonstrators decided to make their home the protest. On June 9, they erected a camp in Grand Park. Two months later, it has grown into both an outdoor activist community and a visible reminder to anyone walking through downtown L.A. that even if protest crowds have shrunk since early summer, the push for change is far from over.
“You gotta catch the bus, you come out to Civic Center, no matter what you do, you will see this, and you’ll think, why are they there? Why are they still there?” said Ben Jenkins, 29, who cooks most of the meals at the camp.
Butler’s group parted ways in early July, and the camp is now under the banner of another new organization, Black Unity L.A.
Protest occupations have launched in several U.S. cities this summer, aimed at reclaiming public spaces as demonstrations of how communities without police might work.
Syd plants tomatoes in the community garden at the Black Unity L.A. encampment. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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Results have been mixed. Seattle’s Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone, which spanned several blocks, was cleared out in early July after three weeks following a pair of shootings that left two young Black men dead. Last month, a protest encampment that had sprung up across from New York City Hall in Manhattan was shut down after its initial organizers began to cede ground to homeless people, as graffiti and vandalism in the area drew the ire of residents and police unions.
The Los Angeles encampment — which sits near City Hall, LAPD headquarters and the county’s largest courthouse — has drawn few objections by comparison, as the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically reduced downtown foot traffic.
Jenkins says about 30 people are directly involved with the community now; nearly half of them spend their nights sleeping downtown in a sprawl of tents that sit behind a circle of small barricades directly across from City Hall. Beyond the tents, the demonstrators have set up a kitchen where Jenkins fixes as many quick meals as he can from whatever food the group can scrounge. Donations have stocked a library with a range of books, from Stephen King bestsellers to tomes on art history.
A garden sits toward the back of the area, with herbs and vegetables ready to sprout in planters marked by the names of Black men and women killed by police across the country, including Floyd and Breonna Taylor. At the edge of the garden, a hut made almost entirely of fallen palm fronds is a nod to the Indigenous Tongva people who once called Los Angeles home.
Members of the Black Future Project and their supporters on July 21 took over the 101 South Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
One hot July afternoon, 32-year-old R.J. Dawson could be seen walking around with a bucket of oranges, offering the fruit to both his fellow protesters and the homeless people living on the edges of their encampment, whom many refer to simply as “neighbors.”
“I do see this as a community, an example of the societal reform we hope to see,” said Dawson, nodding toward the tents beyond their gates. “We’ve put ourselves in the community, and now we need to contribute.”
Videos posted to Black Unity’s Instagram page have shown members handing out food on skid row. Jenkins says that when the group receives donations of perishable items, especially meat, he tries to cook all of it quickly and delivers leftover meals to the homeless people living in other parts of the park.
The group’s demands include an end to the practice of qualified immunity, which shields police officers from civil liability for some of their actions; eliminating the L.A. Unified School District’s campus police; increasing de-escalation training for law enforcement; and opening all police discipline records to the public.
Jenkins says those staying in Grand Park understand that they could be evicted at any time and have tried to minimize confrontation. There’s little garbage around the site, and aside from the appearance in early July of graffiti critical of Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, City Hall has remained largely unblemished.
Caes grills steak at the Black Unity L.A. encampment. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s not worth it. It’s unnecessary, and it would make us look bad,” Jenkins said. “I know they’re just waiting for any excuse to come over and try and forcibly remove us, so we’re not going to give them an excuse.”
The group had not faced an explicit threat until Aug. 5, when signs appeared warning that people who stayed in the park after 10 p.m. could be arrested or fined. Bonnie Goodman, spokeswoman for Grand Park, said park staff posted the signs at the request of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which is responsible for patrolling the area, “to reinforce the county’s established rules and regulations for the park.”
Capt. Britta Steinbrenner of the sheriff’s County Services Bureau said the agency was “monitoring” the group and had no plans to evict them.
“They’ve been allowed to protest as long as they’re peaceful,” she said.
Members of the Black Future Project run through protest drills at their occupation camp in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
The signs, though, drew nearly 100 protesters, who arrived that night to chant and fortify the barricades around the area with wooden pallets as they steeled themselves for the arrival of law enforcement that never came.
Some local leaders have begun to complain. Patricia Berman, president of the Downtown L.A. Neighborhood Council, released a video Aug. 8 expressing concern about “deteriorating conditions” near the encampment and warned residents to avoid the area.
Berman referenced a recent sexual assault in the park, though police officials have said it is not clear if the reported attack is connected to the encampment. Capt. T. Scott Harrelson, who heads the LAPD’s Central Division, said his officers generally had not “had many issues with anybody that’s camping in there.”
Some staying at the camp joined a counter-protest last month to a rally on Spring Street in support of the LAPD. Jason Morales, a 34-year-old Angeleno who was out walking with an American flag tied around his shoulders as a cape, said he considered it a “victory” that he was able to engage in a debate with an LAPD officer that day without a clash.
Members of the Black Future Project run through protest drills at their occupation camp in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Morales said he learned about de-escalation tactics while inside the camp and had used those skills to help mitigate disputes among occupants.
“There’s been things that have happened at the park, obviously, but we’re not going to call the police for help,” said Butler. “We’d rather deal with it internally.”
Butler said he intended to combine education and activism when founding the camp. In mid-June, the group held a viewing of Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th,” which focuses on the disproportionate incarceration of Black people in the U.S. Black Future Project had previously used the site as a staging ground for protests, and more recent events under Black Unity have focused on teaching people how to render first aid during protests.
Members of the Black Future Project run through protest drills at their occupation camp in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
For all the talk of community, though, apparent ideological differences split the two activist groups. Members of Black Future Project claimed a violent clash led them to leave the park July 9. The current occupiers said the breakup was driven by a dispute over how to run the camp.
Jenkins said continued acts of police violence had proved the need for the site. Nine days after the encampment was founded, he noted, a sheriff’s deputy in Gardena fatally shot 18-year-old Andres Guardado in the back five times. Sheriff’s officials said Guardado was armed with a weapon and that they were investigating, but the incident has spurred ongoing protests and calls to prosecute the deputy who opened fire.
“Our main focus is to stay here, planted, and be a constant reminder,” Jenkins said. “Injustice is here, and nothing’s been done about it.”


latimes--2020-08-11--The LAPD branded these two brothers MS-13 gang members. Prosecutors say they were deliberately frame

The LAPD branded these two brothers MS-13 gang members. Prosecutors say they were deliberately framed

Early on a Thursday morning in February , two men in suits rapped on the door of the South Los Angeles apartment that Gadseel Quiñonez shares with his little brother .
The men were from the Los Angeles Police Department ’ s Professional Standards Bureau — the cops who police the cops .
They wanted to know whether Quiñonez , 29 , or his brother belonged to any gangs .
No , he told them .
They asked whether they could take pictures of his tattoos .
Sure , he said .
He had nothing to hide .
Months later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falsifying dozens of gang records , and the reason for the early morning visit became clear : Quiñonez and his brother , Jose , had been falsely identified as members of MS-13 , a street gang notorious for macabre killings , according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors .
Gadseel and Jose Quiñonez are among dozens of people who county prosecutors say were falsely labeled as gang members or associates by Officers Braxton Shaw , Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez .
All three are with the LAPD ’ s elite Metropolitan Division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other alleged victims in the case , are identified in the complaint only by their first names and last initial , they confirmed being interviewed by internal investigators from the LAPD and described two heavy-handed stops near where they live and work in South Los Angeles .
An LAPD spokesman would not confirm or deny the identities of any alleged victims , citing the department ’ s continuing investigation .
Nineteen more officers remain under investigation .
A spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office declined to comment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney , Greg Yacoubian , pushed back on what he said was an unfair characterization of the policemen as “ rogue officers.
” Shaw was doing nothing more than what was expected of him , Yacoubian said , which was to gather gang intelligence from dangerous parts of the city .
“ He ’ s innocent , ” Yacoubian said of Shaw .
“ Although these are complicated issues , I can say with a high level of confidence that when the dust settles , it will be clear he isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 , Gadseel Quiñonez was leaving a recycling center on West 92nd and Main streets , where he has worked since 2010 , when a squad car pulled him over , he recalled .
His brother , 16 at the time , was in the car .
Jose had come to Los Angeles five months earlier from Guatemala , where their mother , father and four other siblings still live .
One of the officers — a white man , tall , burly and with a shaved head — opened the passenger-side door @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrenched him out of the car , Jose recalled .
He and his brother were handcuffed and stood up against a fence while the officers searched Gadseel ’ s black BMW , the brothers said in separate interviews .
The officers asked questions in English and Jose struggled to understand what was being said , he recalled .
Gadseel recognized the white officer : A few months earlier , he said , the same man had pulled him over as he was leaving a liquor store on West 88th Street and Broadway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car at gunpoint , searched his car and questioned him about cash he found inside , Gadseel recalled .
When he tried to explain the cash was from the recycling business where he worked , the officer told him to “ shut up , ” he said .
This time , the officers asked Gadseel and Jose whether they were in a gang , the brothers said .
No , they told them .
The officers asked Gadseel whether his car was stolen , whether it really belonged to him , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When Gadseel asked why they had been stopped , the officers said that he and his brother looked like gang members and that they ’ d heard rumors he was carrying a weapon , he recalled .
Eventually , his boss at the recycling plant came out and spoke with the officers .
They let the brothers go .
Afterward , Gadseel told Jose he “ needed to behave , to follow the rules , ” so he wouldn ’ t get in trouble with the police , Jose said .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policeman , and it left him frightened and confused , he remembered .
The brothers could not recall the specific month in 2018 when they were stopped and questioned .
But according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors , Shaw , partnered with Martinez , filled out two field interview cards on July 30 , 2018 , that falsely labeled a “ Gadseel Q.
” as an MS-13 gang member nicknamed “ Squealer , ” and a “ Jose Q.
” as an MS-13 gang member dubbed “ Sneaks.
” Law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang members and associates .
CalGang , a statewide clearinghouse of gang intelligence , drew on information from LAPD cards until July , when California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra , whose office oversees the database , revoked access to LAPD intelligence .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore had ordered his officers in June to no longer enter names in the database .
CalGang is notoriously opaque , and none of its underlying intelligence is public record .
Gadseel and Jose said they didn ’ t know or even suspect they ’ d been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted them .
“ When they have proof that someone did something , they have the right to arrest you or throw you in jail or investigate you , ” Gadseel said in Spanish .
“ But when there ’ s no proof , and they keep stopping you , or following you or watching you , waiting for you to fall , I don ’ t see a case there .
They don ’ t have the right.
” Yacoubian , Shaw ’ s attorney , said some — but not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAPD field cards were entered in CalGang .
Once Metropolitan Division officers filled out the cards in the field , the cards were sent to various LAPD geographic divisions where gang enforcement specialists vet the information and decide whom to add to the database , according to Yacoubian , who retired from the LAPD as a lieutenant before starting a law practice .
Yacoubian questioned whether any of the people allegedly misidentified as gang members suffered “ adverse actions , ” saying that unlike a police report , the field cards are an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself , can not be used to prosecute someone .
And because the cards and database are not public , employers can ’ t view the records when weighing whether to give someone a job , he added .
Yacoubian described the cards as a useful tool to combat gangs that prey on the poorest , most distressed parts of the city .
“ Chilling that function is going to impact low-income , minority communities , ” he said .
“ They ’ re the real losers in all of this.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quiñonez brothers are among 43 he is charged with falsifying .
In April 2018 , the officer wrote up a card for “ Kivon W. , ” whom he falsely described as a 77 Swans gang member known as “ Dub Bird , ” with a swan and 77 tattooed on his neck , the complaint said .
Kivon Williams told The Times he has tattoos of a dove and the date “ 10/17 ” on his neck , signifying the month and the day he met his girlfriend .
Williams , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the LAPD came to his South Los Angeles home this year , interviewed him and took pictures of his tattoos .
Williams said he has heard nothing from the department since .
He doesn ’ t know whether he is still in a gang database or what , if anything , he should do to have his name cleared .
Josh Rubenstein , a spokesman for the LAPD , said the department is removing names from the database as its internal investigation progresses , but he declined to address individual cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he remains on a roster of alleged gang members and associates .
It doesn ’ t worry him , he said .
He knows who he is .
He left Guatemala as a child for Memphis , Tenn. , and once he got there , “ I started working , ” he said .
“ And I worked twice as hard to get ahead.
” “ It never crossed my mind to join a gang , ” he said .
“ No one wins that way.
” He came to Los Angeles 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recycling center where he still works today .
He is a father to a 5-year-old boy and looks after his little brother , who works at the recycling plant too .
“ El que nada debe , nada teme , ” he said .
He who has nothing to hide has nothing to fear .
Jose , now 18 , is entering his final year at Dymally High School in South Los Angeles .
He left Guatemala to find work here and send money home , he explained , speaking Spanish outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crushes glass , Monday through Wednesday , 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. One day , he would like to work as a lawyer .
Or maybe a police officer .
“ So I can help people , ” he said .

Gadseel Quiñonez, 29, right, and his brother Jose Quiñonez, 18, at the recycling center where they work.
Early on a Thursday morning in February, two men in suits rapped on the door of the South Los Angeles apartment that Gadseel Quiñonez shares with his little brother.
The men were from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau — the cops who police the cops. They wanted to know whether Quiñonez, 29, or his brother belonged to any gangs. No, he told them. They asked whether they could take pictures of his tattoos. Sure, he said. He had nothing to hide.
Months later, three LAPD officers were charged with falsifying dozens of gang records, and the reason for the early morning visit became clear: Quiñonez and his brother, Jose, had been falsely identified as members of MS-13, a street gang notorious for macabre killings, according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors.
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Gadseel and Jose Quiñonez are among dozens of people who county prosecutors say were falsely labeled as gang members or associates by Officers Braxton Shaw, Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez. All three are with the LAPD’s elite Metropolitan Division.
Although the Quiñonez brothers, like other alleged victims in the case, are identified in the complaint only by their first names and last initial, they confirmed being interviewed by internal investigators from the LAPD and described two heavy-handed stops near where they live and work in South Los Angeles.
An LAPD spokesman would not confirm or deny the identities of any alleged victims, citing the department’s continuing investigation. Nineteen more officers remain under investigation. A spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to comment.
In an interview, Shaw’s attorney, Greg Yacoubian, pushed back on what he said was an unfair characterization of the policemen as “rogue officers.” Shaw was doing nothing more than what was expected of him, Yacoubian said, which was to gather gang intelligence from dangerous parts of the city.
“He’s innocent,” Yacoubian said of Shaw. “Although these are complicated issues, I can say with a high level of confidence that when the dust settles, it will be clear he isn’t culpable of any criminal liability.”
In 2018, Gadseel Quiñonez was leaving a recycling center on West 92nd and Main streets, where he has worked since 2010, when a squad car pulled him over, he recalled. His brother, 16 at the time, was in the car. Jose had come to Los Angeles five months earlier from Guatemala, where their mother, father and four other siblings still live.
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One of the officers — a white man, tall, burly and with a shaved head — opened the passenger-side door, grabbed Jose’s arm and wrenched him out of the car, Jose recalled. He and his brother were handcuffed and stood up against a fence while the officers searched Gadseel’s black BMW, the brothers said in separate interviews. The officers asked questions in English and Jose struggled to understand what was being said, he recalled.
Gadseel recognized the white officer: A few months earlier, he said, the same man had pulled him over as he was leaving a liquor store on West 88th Street and Broadway. The officer had ordered him out of the car at gunpoint, searched his car and questioned him about cash he found inside, Gadseel recalled. When he tried to explain the cash was from the recycling business where he worked, the officer told him to “shut up,” he said.
This time, the officers asked Gadseel and Jose whether they were in a gang, the brothers said. No, they told them. The officers asked Gadseel whether his car was stolen, whether it really belonged to him, he recalled. He told them it did.
When Gadseel asked why they had been stopped, the officers said that he and his brother looked like gang members and that they’d heard rumors he was carrying a weapon, he recalled. Eventually, his boss at the recycling plant came out and spoke with the officers. They let the brothers go.
Afterward, Gadseel told Jose he “needed to behave, to follow the rules,” so he wouldn’t get in trouble with the police, Jose said. It was his first encounter with an American policeman, and it left him frightened and confused, he remembered.
The brothers could not recall the specific month in 2018 when they were stopped and questioned. But according to a complaint filed by county prosecutors, Shaw, partnered with Martinez, filled out two field interview cards on July 30, 2018, that falsely labeled a “Gadseel Q.” as an MS-13 gang member nicknamed “Squealer,” and a “Jose Q.” as an MS-13 gang member dubbed “Sneaks.”
Law enforcement agencies use these cards to track suspected gang members and associates. CalGang, a statewide clearinghouse of gang intelligence, drew on information from LAPD cards until July, when California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, whose office oversees the database, revoked access to LAPD intelligence. LAPD Chief Michel Moore had ordered his officers in June to no longer enter names in the database.
CalGang is notoriously opaque, and none of its underlying intelligence is public record. Gadseel and Jose said they didn’t know or even suspect they’d been identified as gang members until a reporter contacted them.
“When they have proof that someone did something, they have the right to arrest you or throw you in jail or investigate you,” Gadseel said in Spanish. “But when there’s no proof, and they keep stopping you, or following you or watching you, waiting for you to fall, I don’t see a case there. They don’t have the right.”
Yacoubian, Shaw’s attorney, said some — but not all — people identified as gang members on LAPD field cards were entered in CalGang. Once Metropolitan Division officers filled out the cards in the field, the cards were sent to various LAPD geographic divisions where gang enforcement specialists vet the information and decide whom to add to the database, according to Yacoubian, who retired from the LAPD as a lieutenant before starting a law practice.
Yacoubian questioned whether any of the people allegedly misidentified as gang members suffered “adverse actions,” saying that unlike a police report, the field cards are an intelligence-gathering tool that, in and of itself, cannot be used to prosecute someone. And because the cards and database are not public, employers can’t view the records when weighing whether to give someone a job, he added.
Yacoubian described the cards as a useful tool to combat gangs that prey on the poorest, most distressed parts of the city. “Chilling that function is going to impact low-income, minority communities,” he said. “They’re the real losers in all of this.”
The cards that Shaw filled out for the Quiñonez brothers are among 43 he is charged with falsifying.
In April 2018, the officer wrote up a card for “Kivon W.,” whom he falsely described as a 77 Swans gang member known as “Dub Bird,” with a swan and 77 tattooed on his neck, the complaint said.
Kivon Williams told The Times he has tattoos of a dove and the date “10/17” on his neck, signifying the month and the day he met his girlfriend. Williams, like the Quiñonez brothers, said internal investigators from the LAPD came to his South Los Angeles home this year, interviewed him and took pictures of his tattoos.
Williams said he has heard nothing from the department since. He doesn’t know whether he is still in a gang database or what, if anything, he should do to have his name cleared.
Josh Rubenstein, a spokesman for the LAPD, said the department is removing names from the database as its internal investigation progresses, but he declined to address individual cases.
Gadseel Quiñonez doesn’t know whether he remains on a roster of alleged gang members and associates. It doesn’t worry him, he said. He knows who he is. He left Guatemala as a child for Memphis, Tenn., and once he got there, “I started working,” he said. “And I worked twice as hard to get ahead.”
“It never crossed my mind to join a gang,” he said. “No one wins that way.”
He came to Los Angeles 10 years ago and took a job at the recycling center where he still works today. He is a father to a 5-year-old boy and looks after his little brother, who works at the recycling plant too.
“El que nada debe, nada teme,” he said. He who has nothing to hide has nothing to fear.
Jose, now 18, is entering his final year at Dymally High School in South Los Angeles. He left Guatemala to find work here and send money home, he explained, speaking Spanish outside the recycling center where he sorts bottles and crushes glass, Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One day, he would like to work as a lawyer. Or maybe a police officer. “So I can help people,” he said.


latimes--2020-08-11--LAPD officer hospitalized after being struck by possibly impaired driver in South L.A.

An LAPD officer was hospitalized Monday night with non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a possibly impaired motorist in South @ @ @ @ @ .
About 5:30 p.m. , officers near the 200 block of West 93rd Street were @ @ @ @ @ response to reports of a man with a gun , said LAPD spokesman Mike Lopez @ @ @ @ @ , as officers tried to keep the suspect contained inside the area , a motorist @ @ @ @ @ one of the corners of the perimeter .
Officers are investigating whether the driver , @ @ @ @ @ under the influence at the time of the crash .
Lopez said he did not @ @ @ @ @ been inside or outside the vehicle when he was injured .

An LAPD officer was hospitalized Monday night with non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a possibly impaired motorist in South Los Angeles, authorities said.
About 5:30 p.m., officers near the 200 block of West 93rd Street were setting up a perimeter in response to reports of a man with a gun, said LAPD spokesman Mike Lopez.
A few hours later, as officers tried to keep the suspect contained inside the area, a motorist struck a police vehicle at one of the corners of the perimeter.
Officers are investigating whether the driver, a male adult, was under the influence at the time of the crash.
Lopez said he did not know if the officer had been inside or outside the vehicle when he was injured.


latimes--2020-08-10--L.A. County may pay $1.35 million to settle case over use of public funds to back Measure H

A probe by the state ’ s political watchdog and a civil lawsuit have resulted in a pending settlement that would require Los Angeles County to pay $ 1.35 million to resolve claims that it failed to properly disclose its use of public funds to support a homeless services tax ballot measure .
The case revolves around the campaign for Measure H , a multimillion-dollar effort approved by voters in 2017 that was sponsored by businesses and labor groups , among others .
Measure H received 69.3 % of the vote , passing with the required two-thirds ’ support by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce $ 355 million annually over a decade .
The Fair Political Practices Commission opened an administrative investigation in March 2017 following a complaint by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn .
alleging that the county had conducted an illegal political campaign by running ads with positive messages about the measure .
The L.A. County district attorney ’ s office decided not to pursue a civil enforcement action and the taxpayers association filed a related lawsuit in July 2018 , alleging that the county had failed to disclose taxpayer funds it spent supporting Measure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state commission , said that its five-member body will be voting Aug. 20 on whether to accept the settlement .
Approval of the agreement would resolve enforcement proceedings by the commission against the county .
“ This has been an ongoing frustrating issue for taxpayers throughout the state of California , and that is seeing the brazen use of taxpayer dollars for political advocacy , ” said Jon Coupal , president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn .
“ This is not a situation where they ’ re merely engaging in informational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blatantly taking sides and using taxpayer dollars to do so.
” In a statement , L.A. County spokeswoman Lennie LaGuire said the county “ is pleased to resolve this matter so we can continue to focus on the health and safety of the people of Los Angeles County.
” In its settlement with the state and with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.
, the county held that the agreement “ shall not be considered an admission of liability.
” According to the settlement , the county entered into a contract in January 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support Measure H that included television commercials , and ultimately spent about $ 1 million on materials related to the measure and the county ’ s Homeless Initiative .
Commercials included the words “ The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative ” and the slogan “ Real help .
Lasting Change.
” Ads that ran before the election touted “ Measure H on the March 7 Ballot ” and “ Are you ready ?
Vote March 7.
” The company the county contracted with to conduct public outreach also arranged for commercials to run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area and encouraged listeners to visit the county ’ s website to obtain more information , the settlement says .

An investigation by the state’s political watchdog and a civil lawsuit have resulted in a pending settlement that would require Los Angeles County to pay $1.35 million to resolve claims that it failed to properly disclose its use of public funds to support a ballot measure that raised the sales tax to fund homeless services.
The case revolves around the campaign for Measure H, a multimillion-dollar effort approved by voters in 2017 that was sponsored by businesses and labor groups, among others. Measure H received 69.3% of the vote, clearing the required two-thirds’ support by 2.6 percentage points, and is projected to produce $355 million annually over a decade.
The Fair Political Practices Commission opened an administrative investigation in March 2017 following a complaint by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. alleging that the county had conducted an illegal political campaign by running ads with positive messages about the measure.
The L.A. County district attorney’s office decided not to pursue a civil enforcement action, and the taxpayers association filed a related lawsuit in July 2018, alleging that the county had failed to disclose taxpayer funds it spent supporting Measure H.
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Jay Wierenga, a spokesman for the state commission, said that its five-member body will vote Aug. 20 on whether to accept the settlement. Approval of the agreement would resolve enforcement proceedings by the commission against the county.
“This has been an ongoing frustrating issue for taxpayers throughout the state of California, and that is seeing the brazen use of taxpayer dollars for political advocacy,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. “This is not a situation where they’re merely engaging in informational outreach, which is allowed, but blatantly taking sides and using taxpayer dollars to do so.”
In a statement, L.A. County spokeswoman Lennie LaGuire said the county “is pleased to resolve this matter so we can continue to focus on the health and safety of the people of Los Angeles County.”
In its settlement with the state and with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., the county held that the agreement “shall not be considered an admission of liability.”
According to the settlement, the county entered into a contract in January 2017 to conduct a public education campaign to support Measure H that included television commercials, and it ultimately spent about $1 million on materials related to the measure and the county’s Homeless Initiative. Commercials included the words “The Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative” and the slogan “Real help. Lasting Change.” Ads that ran before the election touted “Measure H on the March 7 Ballot” and said “Are you ready? Vote March 7.”
The contractor hired by the county to conduct public outreach also arranged for commercials to run on Spanish-language radio stations in the L.A. area and encouraged listeners to visit the county’s website to obtain more information, the settlement says.
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Times staff writer Adam Elmahrek contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-10--Police union to Garcetti: Don't drag cops into your 'party house' plan

The political battle between Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the police union escalated this week with union leaders bucking the mayor ’ s plans to crack down on illicit “ party houses ” amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Garcetti last week authorized the city to shut off water and power at homes where revelers are defying public health orders intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Under the mayor ’ s directive , Los Angeles Police Department officers who respond to a large party at a property can request the utilities be cut within 48 hours .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ target , the mayor said .
But the mayor ’ s announcement drew the quick ire of officials in the Police Protective League , who have clashed with Garcetti in recent months as he has pushed for reforms and cuts to the LAPD as part of a national reckoning over police abuses .
“ Mayor Garcetti wants to reimagine policing .
He should send his civilian staff to turn off people ’ s electricity & cut off their water , ” the League said in a tweet over the weekend in response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let officers deal with the rise in shootings and killings in L.A. We need a leader and not a political contortionist , ” Jerretta Sandoz , vice president of the union , reiterated in an interview Monday that police officers should not be involved with helping turn off utility services .
“ He wants to use police officers when it benefits him politically , ” Sandoz said of the mayor .
As the number of coronavirus cases have surged over the summer , Garcetti and other elected officials in Southern California have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persuade people to follow orders such as wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings .
The recent jump in infections in the region has only made those orders more important , officials say .
Amid reports of recent large gatherings in Los Angeles , including one last week at which a group of partygoers descended on a mansion on Mulholland Drive and one person was killed in a shooting , Garcetti last week warned that the “ consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties .
They ripple throughout our entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily spread.
” Police union leaders seized on the mayor ’ s call for officers to help enforce his strategy for closing down the parties as fodder in their public relations offensive against him .
They have accused Garcetti and several City Council members of hypocrisy — of praising officers ’ work at recent demonstrations over police brutality in private conversations with union representatives , but then going on television and blaming officers for the city ’ s social problems .
Officers are also angered over Garcetti ’ s support for cutting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of about 1.5 % after taking into account the mayor ’ s previously planned increase to the budget .
Sandoz on Monday said that officers have already respond to complaints about party houses by issuing warnings and citations .
But when it comes to working with the Department of Water and Power , “ that ’ s not our job , ” she said , adding that it could spark tension between officers and residents .
“ If we are trying to bridge the gap between community relations and police , then why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like this , which would cause more friction ?
” Sandoz said .
DWP spokeswoman Michelle Figueroa said the utility turns off water and power at the direction of Garcetti ’ s office and works with the LAPD to respond .
Figueroa said that as of Sunday , the utility has not been asked to shut off water and power at any “ party houses.
” Even before the coronavirus , the city struggled to crack down on parties in the Hollywood Hills and other neighborhoods .
Critics say that homeowners and property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who throw lavish bashes with booze and loud music , drawing hundreds of revelers .

An aerial view of a large house party on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Crest, where three people were shot.
The political battle between Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the police union escalated this week with union leaders bucking the mayor’s plans to crack down on illicit “party houses” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Garcetti last week authorized the city to shut off water and power at homes where revelers are defying public health orders intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Under the mayor’s directive, Los Angeles Police Department officers who respond to a large party at a property can request the utilities be cut within 48 hours. Homes where parties regularly occur are the target, the mayor said.
But the mayor’s announcement drew the quick ire of officials in the Police Protective League, who have clashed with Garcetti in recent months as he has pushed for reforms and cuts to the LAPD as part of a national reckoning over police abuses.
“Mayor Garcetti wants to reimagine policing. He should send his civilian staff to turn off people’s electricity & cut off their water,” the League said in a tweet over the weekend in response to the mayor’s plans. “Let officers deal with the rise in shootings and killings in L.A. We need a leader and not a political contortionist,”
Jerretta Sandoz, vice president of the union, reiterated in an interview Monday that police officers should not be involved with helping turn off utility services. “He wants to use police officers when it benefits him politically,” Sandoz said of the mayor.
Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar declined to comment on Sandoz’s criticisms.
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As the number of coronavirus cases have surged over the summer, Garcetti and other elected officials in Southern California have come under increasing pressure to find ways to persuade people to follow orders such as wearing masks and avoiding large gatherings. The recent jump in infections in the region has only made those orders more important, officials say.
Amid reports of recent large gatherings in Los Angeles, including one last week at which a group of partygoers descended on a mansion on Mulholland Drive and one person was killed in a shooting, Garcetti last week warned that the “consequences of these large parties ripple far beyond just those parties. They ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread.”
Police union leaders seized on the mayor’s call for officers to help enforce his strategy for closing down the parties as fodder in their public relations offensive against him. They have accused Garcetti and several City Council members of hypocrisy — of praising officers’ work at recent demonstrations over police brutality in private conversations with union representatives, but then going on television and blaming officers for the city’s social problems.
Officers are also angered over Garcetti’s support for cutting the LAPD’s budget — a trim of about 1.5% after taking into account the mayor’s previously planned increase to the budget.
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Sandoz on Monday said that officers respond to complaints about party houses by issuing warnings and citations. But when it comes to working with the Department of Water and Power, “that’s not our job,” she said, adding that it could spark tension between officers and residents.
“If we are trying to bridge the gap between community relations and police, then why would we go out to a call like this, which would cause more friction?” Sandoz said.
DWP spokeswoman Michelle Figueroa said the utility turns off water and power at the direction of Garcetti’s office and works with the LAPD to respond.
Figueroa said that as of Sunday, the utility has not been asked to shut off water and power at any “party houses.”
Even before the coronavirus, the city struggled to crack down on parties in the Hollywood Hills and other neighborhoods. Critics say that homeowners and property managers rent out the residences to hosts who throw lavish bashes with booze and loud music, drawing hundreds of revelers.


latimes--2020-08-11--De León expected to take over seat of suspended L.A. Councilman Huizar in October

More than a month after Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar was charged in a political corruption probe and suspended from the council , Council President Nury Martinez set out plans Tuesday for a “ caretaker ” to manage Huizar ’ s district until former state Senate Leader Kevin de León is appointed in October .
De León won a March race to represent downtown-to-Eagle Rock District 14 but was not slated to be seated until December .
Now the “ anticipated appointment ” of de León is slated for October 15 , Martinez wrote in a letter to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sharon Tso .
In the meantime , Tso said the caretaker could be any staffer she designates from her office .
One possible candidate is Assistant Chief Legislative Analyst Avak Keotahian , who Tso said has served as caretaker at City Hall nearly a dozen times in the past .
The move is “ intended to assure the residents of the Fourteenth Council District that they will not be without an individual they can turn to until they are once again directly represented by a councilmember , ” Martinez wrote .
The caretaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail and approving time sheets for staff , but will not be able to vote at council meetings .
That is likely to frustrate residents who have argued that the district needs a voting representative to weigh in on city decisions about homelessness and other pressing issues .
Martinez did not address in her letter why de León would not take over until October .
De León said in an interview that he was unable to do so sooner because someone in his family had a terminal illness , calling it “ a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been working very hard with my team to make sure the people of CD14 have a voting representative as soon as possible , ” de León said .
Being sworn in December would have been “ unacceptable , so we worked out a way forward.
” De León said he has already been meeting with constituents and working closely with city officials .
Earlier this year , he successfully pushed against reallocating funding from a downtown streetcar project during the budget process , contending that doing so would be “ taking advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district .
The newly announced plans come after weeks of confusion among residents of the district about who is in charge after Huizar ’ s suspension .
Huizar has pleaded not guilty to charges that include bribery , money laundering and racketeering in an ongoing federal investigation .
He has not resigned from his council seat , despite other council members urging him to step down .
Rob Wilcox , a spokesman for City Atty .
Mike Feuer , said that being suspended means that the office is “ temporarily vacant.
” Huizar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the middle of May , when Martinez asked Huizar to stop attending council meetings .
In recent weeks , Huizar staffers have been working under the direction of chief of staff Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt to respond to residents about local issues .

More than a month after Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar was charged in a political corruption probe and suspended from the council, Council President Nury Martinez set out plans Tuesday for a “caretaker” to manage Huizar’s district until former state Senate Leader Kevin de León is appointed in October.
De León won a March race to represent downtown-to-Eagle Rock District 14 but was not slated to be seated until December. Now the “anticipated appointment” of de León is slated for October 15, Martinez wrote in a letter to the city’s chief legislative analyst, Sharon Tso.
In the meantime, Tso said the caretaker could be any staffer she designates from her office. One possible candidate is Assistant Chief Legislative Analyst Avak Keotahian, who Tso said has served as caretaker at City Hall nearly a dozen times in the past.
The move is “intended to assure the residents of the Fourteenth Council District that they will not be without an individual they can turn to until they are once again directly represented by a councilmember,” Martinez wrote.
The caretaker will handle mundane day-to-day responsibilities including reviewing mail and approving time sheets for staff, but will not be able to vote at council meetings. That is likely to frustrate residents who have argued that the district needs a voting representative to weigh in on city decisions about homelessness and other pressing issues.
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Martinez did not address in her letter why de León would not take over until October. De León said in an interview that he was unable to do so sooner because someone in his family had a terminal illness, calling it “a deeply personal issue.”
“I’ve been working very hard with my team to make sure the people of CD14 have a voting representative as soon as possible,” de León said. Being sworn in December would have been “unacceptable, so we worked out a way forward.”
De León said he has already been meeting with constituents and working closely with city officials. Earlier this year, he successfully pushed against reallocating funding from a downtown streetcar project during the budget process, contending that doing so would be “taking advantage” of the unusual plight of the district.
The newly announced plans come after weeks of confusion among residents of the district about who is in charge after Huizar’s suspension.
Huizar has pleaded not guilty to charges that include bribery, money laundering and racketeering in an ongoing federal investigation. He has not resigned from his council seat, despite other council members urging him to step down. Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for City Atty. Mike Feuer, said that being suspended means that the office is “temporarily vacant.”
Huizar has not voted on city issues since the middle of May, when Martinez asked Huizar to stop attending council meetings. In recent weeks, Huizar staffers have been working under the direction of chief of staff Eduardo Soriano-Hewitt to respond to residents about local issues.


latimes--2020-08-11--Heat watch issued for much of Southern California this weekend

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for much of Southern California this weekend , forecasting that temperatures may near record highs throughout the area .
Strong pressure pushing west into the Four Corners region over the coming days “ will bring us our heat wave , ” according to Todd Hall , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
“ There ’ s a potential we can have some dangerous heat developing , with heat illness and heat stroke issues , ” Hall said .
The watch will be in effect Friday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to range from 95 to 108 degrees .
Friday is predicted to be the hottest day in much of the coastal and valley areas , while temperatures in the mountains will probably peak on Saturday , Hall said .
Temperatures overnight are expected in the 70s and lower 80s .
The heat wave may elevate fire risk , Hall said .
Officials advised that residents drink fluids , stay in air-conditioned rooms and check in with relatives and neighbors .
They warned that young children and pets should not be left alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicles can reach deadly temperatures within minutes in hot weather .

Shorts and T-shirts will be the wardrobe this weekend as a heat wave is expected to hit much of the region.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for much of Southern California this weekend, forecasting that temperatures may near record highs throughout the area.
Strong pressure pushing west into the Four Corners region over the coming days “will bring us our heat wave,” according to Todd Hall, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“There’s a potential we can have some dangerous heat developing, with heat illness and heat stroke issues,” Hall said.
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The watch will be in effect Friday morning through Monday evening, with high temperatures expected to range from 95 to 108 degrees. Friday is predicted to be the hottest day in much of the coastal and valley areas, while temperatures in the mountains will probably peak on Saturday, Hall said. Temperatures overnight are expected in the 70s and lower 80s.
The heat wave may elevate fire risk, Hall said.
Officials advised that residents drink fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and check in with relatives and neighbors. They warned that young children and pets should not be left alone in cars, because the inside of vehicles can reach deadly temperatures within minutes in hot weather.


latimes--2020-08-11--Mayor Garcetti's top homeless advisor to resign

Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s top advisor on homelessness has told her colleagues she will be resigning at the end of the month , The Times has learned .
This comes as the number of people living on the streets continues to grow and more money than ever is being spent to house people and keep them from returning to the street .
To help respond to the pandemic , the city is awash in federal dollars that are being directed towards homelessness .
Deputy Mayor Christina Miller has been Garcetti ’ s point person on the subject since she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first person to hold the title of deputy mayor for homeless initiatives .
She had previously worked on homelessness issues for Garcetti as a senior project manager for homeless strategies and before that at Los Angeles International Airport .
“ It has been an incredible journey and unique privilege to serve under Mayor Garcetti who has been and continues to be deeply committed to solving homelessness in our region , ” she wrote in an email to people working on homelessness policy around Los Angeles , announcing her departure .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City exponentially , to banner initiatives such as HHH and A Bridge Home , it has been a meaningful and exciting time to be part of the City ’ s work to address this crisis.
” Measure HHH was a 2016 bond initiative to raise $ 1.2 billion to relieve homelessness .
A Bridge Home is a program that aimed to have homeless shelters built in every council district .
Miller will be joining the National Alliance to End Homelessness on Sept. 1 as a senior policy fellow , helping the Washington-based organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level here in California .
This marks a new direction for the nonprofit , which had previously focused much of its time and energy advocating for changes to homelessness policy at the federal level .
“ Our board had decided that given the high percentage of homeless people in the country who reside in California , that we should concentrate efforts more in the state , ” said Nan Roman , president and CEO of the organization .
“ We ’ re not going to end homelessness in the country if California doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview , Miller said she saw her new role as a continuation of the work she ’ s done for the city over the last few years .
She said she hopes to bring that on-the-ground perspective to the corridors of power .
“ Homelessness is going up across the state , ” Miller said .
“ There ’ s so much that we can do locally .
There ’ s so much stuff the mayor can do and has done , but if we can ’ t figure out a regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento , we ’ re just holding our head above water.
” Before moving into government , Miller worked as a case manager for the North Hollywood-based LA Family Housing and helped set up and manage the coordinated entry system , which homeless people use to find housing or services from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and other publicly funded agencies .
While working for the city , she has helped oversee the expansion of the A Bridge Home program .
Over the last two years , 21 shelters have opened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need to invest in all types of housing — from interim to permanent , ” said Miller ’ s old boss , Stephanie Klasky-Gamer , the president and chief executive officer of LA Family Housing .
“ Until the past couple of years , the city had really only focused on permanent housing .
During Christina ’ s time we expanded our investment into interim housing as well .
The city ’ s role had never been to address homelessness .
That had traditionally been the county.
” Still during her tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Miller had a hand in advocating for more state funding to address the crisis that ’ s unfolding on city streets .
In the final years of Gov .
Jerry Brown ’ s administration , Garcetti , along with the other mayors of California ’ s largest cities , secured a total of $ 500 million in state grants to address homeless .
A similar program continued under Gov .
Gavin Newsom , and he has committed more money to helping counties and city ’ s purchase buildings to house homeless people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a regular presence as Garcetti ’ s representative at proceedings related to the lawsuit filed earlier this year by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights , a group of business owners , downtown residents and others who are demanding solutions to what they call unsafe and inhumane conditions in encampments .
These hearings have been a venue for the city and county to update the public on how they ’ re responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they ’ re preventing homeless people from dying in large numbers .
Miller , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV or the radio and tends to do most of her work behind the scenes , was integral in helping set up recreation sites as temporary homeless shelters and coordinating the renting of hotels to homeless people .
It has come at a time of transition in the city as it contends with reduced budgets from the pandemic .
It ’ s unclear who will take Miller ’ s place , but Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said a replacement will be announced this week .
Tommy Newman , senior director for the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s essential that Garcetti fill the job quickly .
Newman said he has been heartened by the city ’ s commitment in recent weeks to use money it received from the federal government to fund more solutions to homelessness , including nearly $ 100 million for more rental vouchers and another $ 150 million to acquire buildings to house homeless people .
“ Christina brought her experience as a case manager and the persistence that it takes to end homelessness for one person to the policy fights and the political fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ and the result is that we ’ re all in a better place for it .
”

Deputy Mayor for City Homelessness Initiatives Christina Miller has announced she will resign at the end of the month.
Mayor Eric Garcetti’s top advisor on homelessness has told her colleagues she will be resigning at the end of the month, The Times has learned.
This comes as the number of people living on the streets continues to grow and more money than ever is being spent to house people and keep them from returning to the street. To help respond to the pandemic, the city is awash in federal dollars that are being directed towards homelessness.
Deputy Mayor Christina Miller has been Garcetti’s point person on the subject since she was appointed in December 2018.
She had previously worked on homelessness issues for Garcetti as a senior project manager for homeless strategies and before that at Los Angeles International Airport.
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“It has been an incredible journey and unique privilege to serve under Mayor Garcetti who has been and continues to be deeply committed to solving homelessness in our region,” she wrote in an email to people working on homelessness policy around Los Angeles, announcing her departure.
“From growing the homelessness budget for the City exponentially, to banner initiatives such as HHH and A Bridge Home, it has been a meaningful and exciting time to be part of the City’s work to address this crisis.”
Measure HHH was a 2016 bond initiative to raise $1.2 billion to relieve homelessness. A Bridge Home is a program that aimed to have homeless shelters built in every council district.
Miller will be joining the National Alliance to End Homelessness on Sept. 1 as a senior policy fellow, helping the Washington-based organization do more policy advocacy at the state level here in California. This marks a new direction for the nonprofit, which had previously focused much of its time and energy advocating for changes to homelessness policy at the federal level.
“Our board had decided that given the high percentage of homeless people in the country who reside in California, that we should concentrate efforts more in the state,” said Nan Roman, president and CEO of the organization. “We’re not going to end homelessness in the country if California doesn’t reduce its numbers.”
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In an interview, Miller said she saw her new role as a continuation of the work she’s done for the city over the last few years. She said she hopes to bring that on-the-ground perspective to the corridors of power.
“Homelessness is going up across the state,” Miller said. “There’s so much that we can do locally. There’s so much stuff the mayor can do and has done, but if we can’t figure out a regional plan that originates in some respects from Sacramento, we’re just holding our head above water.”
Before moving into government, Miller worked as a case manager for the North Hollywood-based LA Family Housing and helped set up and manage the coordinated entry system, which homeless people use to find housing or services from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and other publicly funded agencies.
While working for the city, she has helped oversee the expansion of the A Bridge Home program. Over the last two years, 21 shelters have opened and now house about 1,600 people.
“We need to invest in all types of housing — from interim to permanent,” said Miller’s old boss, Stephanie Klasky-Gamer, the president and chief executive officer of LA Family Housing.
“Until the past couple of years, the city had really only focused on permanent housing. During Christina’s time we expanded our investment into interim housing as well. The city’s role had never been to address homelessness. That had traditionally been the county.”
Still during her tenure at City Hall, homelessness grew, and Miller had a hand in advocating for more state funding to address the crisis that’s unfolding on city streets. In the final years of Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration, Garcetti, along with the other mayors of California’s largest cities, secured a total of $500 million in state grants to address homeless. A similar program continued under Gov. Gavin Newsom, and he has committed more money to helping counties and cities purchase buildings to house homeless people.
More recently she’s been a regular presence as Garcetti’s representative at proceedings related to the lawsuit filed earlier this year by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, a group of business owners, downtown residents and others who are demanding solutions to what they call unsafe and inhumane conditions in encampments.
Housing & Homelessness A judge commandeers L.A.’s City Hall in his campaign to curb homelessness Judge David O. Carter, who has ruled that local agencies must clear homeless people from encampments alongside freeways, holds a hearing at City Hall — a reflection of how a legal case has made its presence felt in L.A. politics.
These hearings have been a venue for the city and county to update the public on how they’re responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and how they’re preventing homeless people from dying in large numbers. Miller, who wasn’t a regular presence on TV or the radio and tends to do most of her work behind the scenes, was integral in helping set up recreation sites as temporary homeless shelters and coordinating the renting of hotels to homeless people.
The personnel change has come at a time of transition in the city as it contends with reduced budgets from the pandemic.
Late Tuesday, it was announced that Jose “Che” Ramirez, would be replacing Miller. He comes from San Francisco, where he was the executive director of the St. Anthony Foundation— a homeless services agency in the Tenderloin.
Before that, he ran St. Francis Center, which supports low-income families and homeless individuals in Los Angeles.
Tommy Newman, senior director for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, said he has been heartened by the city’s commitment in recent weeks to use money it received from the federal government to fund more solutions to homelessness, including nearly $100 million for more rental vouchers and another $150 million to acquire buildings to house homeless people.
“Christina brought her experience as a case manager and the persistence that it takes to end homelessness for one person to the policy fights and the political fights of government,” Newman said, “and the result is that we’re all in a better place for it.”


latimes--2020-08-11--Family of dead woman allegedly groped by LAPD officer files lawsuit

The family of a woman whose breasts were allegedly fondled by an on-duty L.A. police officer who found her dead last fall is suing the officer and the city of L.A .
The family of Elizabeth Baggett notes that LAPD Officer David Rojas already has been charged criminally in the case , and that his own body-camera footage allegedly captured him in the act of molesting her .
They allege a slate of offenses in the incident that occurred last fall , including negligence , invasion of privacy , mishandling of human remains , and the intentional infliction of emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this man had so little respect for another human being , our Elizabeth , for not having the thought that she is someone ’ s daughter , granddaughter and mother , ” said an emotional Janet Baggett , Elizabeth Baggett ’ s mother , at a news conference announcing the lawsuit at the L.A. offices of attorney Gloria Allred .
“ We , her family , have sleepless nights , if we are able to sleep .
I personally wake in sweats from the nightmares that haunt me about the events of Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Days are not much better.
” Allred , who represents the family , said Rojas ’ alleged actions were not just against the law , but also went against “ all sense of human decency.
” The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 20 after Rojas and his partner went to a home where there was a report of a dead body .
After finding the body of 34-year-old Elizabeth Baggett , Rojas ’ partner returned to the patrol car to retrieve something .
It was then that Rojas turned off his body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officers ’ cameras retain a two-minute buffer period of footage after officers deactivate their cameras .
After the body-camera footage was discovered by a detective investigating Baggett ’ s death and reported , Rojas was placed on leave , which the Los Angeles Times first reported in early December .
He was subsequently arrested and charged with a felony violation of the state safety codes covering sexual actions with human remains .
Rojas pleaded not guilty to the charges in January and was released on $ 20,000 bail pending trial .
His attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit Tuesday .
Rojas had been on the force for four years .
Josh Rubenstein , an LAPD spokesman , said the department could not comment on pending litigation .
City Atty .
Mike Feuer ’ s office , which represents the city in legal matters , said it would review the complaint but otherwise declined to comment .
Allred said the city never responded to a notice of the family ’ s claims that she filed with the city months ago , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was first informed of the allegations against Rojas by LAPD internal affairs officers in late 2019 , and that she and the rest of her daughter ’ s family — including her daughter ’ s 15-year-old son , Preston Sertich — had struggled to wrap their heads around Rojas ’ alleged actions ever since .
In his own statement , which was read by Allred on Tuesday , Preston said he used to want to be a police officer but had since lost all trust in police .
“ What has this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was even possible ?
” the boy asked in his statement .
“ Is there a pattern of behavior against women , arrestees or decedents ?
How could you employ this man and let him represent your City ?
” Rojas ’ criminal trial has been postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Allred said the delays had caused added heartache for the family .

Janet Baggett, mother of Elizabeth Baggett, wipes her eyes as her attorney, Gloria Allred, speaks at a news conference in L.A. on Tuesday.
The family of a woman whose breasts were allegedly fondled by an on-duty L.A. police officer who found her dead last fall is suing the officer and the city of L.A.
The family of Elizabeth Baggett notes that LAPD Officer David Rojas already has been charged criminally in the case, and that his own body-camera footage allegedly captured him in the act of molesting her.
They allege a slate of offenses in the incident that occurred last fall, including negligence, invasion of privacy, mishandling of human remains, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“I am infuriated that this man had so little respect for another human being, our Elizabeth, for not having the thought that she is someone’s daughter, granddaughter and mother,” said an emotional Janet Baggett, Elizabeth Baggett’s mother, at a news conference announcing the lawsuit at the L.A. offices of attorney Gloria Allred.
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Janet Baggett and attorney Gloria Allred stand alongside a display of photos of Baggett’s late daughter at a news conference Tuesday in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
“We, her family, have sleepless nights, if we are able to sleep. I personally wake in sweats from the nightmares that haunt me about the events of Elizabeth’s death,” Baggett said. “Days are not much better.”
Allred, who represents the family, said Rojas’ alleged actions were not just against the law, but also went against “all sense of human decency.”
The incident allegedly occurred Oct. 20 after Rojas and his partner went to a home where there was a report of a dead body. After finding the body of 34-year-old Elizabeth Baggett, Rojas’ partner returned to the patrol car to retrieve something. It was then that Rojas turned off his body camera and allegedly fondled her breasts.
Officers’ cameras retain a two-minute buffer period of footage after officers deactivate their cameras.
After the body-camera footage was discovered by a detective investigating Baggett’s death and reported, Rojas was placed on leave, which the Los Angeles Times first reported in early December. He was subsequently arrested and charged with a felony violation of the state safety codes covering sexual actions with human remains.
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Rojas pleaded not guilty to the charges in January and was released on $20,000 bail pending trial. His attorney, Robert Ernenwein, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new lawsuit Tuesday.
Rojas had been on the force for four years.
Josh Rubenstein, an LAPD spokesman, said the department could not comment on pending litigation. City Atty. Mike Feuer’s office, which represents the city in legal matters, said it would review the complaint but otherwise declined to comment.
Allred said the city never responded to a notice of the family’s claims that she filed with the city months ago, as required before litigation.
Janet Baggett said she was first informed of the allegations against Rojas by LAPD internal affairs officers in late 2019, and that she and the rest of her daughter’s family — including her daughter’s 15-year-old son, Preston Sertich — had struggled to wrap their heads around Rojas’ alleged actions ever since.
In his own statement, which was read by Allred on Tuesday, Preston said he used to want to be a police officer but had since lost all trust in police.
“What has this officer gotten away with to believe this was even possible?” the boy asked in his statement. “Is there a pattern of behavior against women, arrestees or decedents? How could you employ this man and let him represent your City?”
Rojas’ criminal trial has been postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Allred said the delays had caused added heartache for the family.


latimes--2020-08-11--Los Angeles County tops 5,000 coronavirus deaths

Total deaths from COVID-19 topped 5,000 in Los Angeles County on Tuesday , in what officials are calling a “ heartbreaking ” milestone for a health and economic crisis that won ’ t disappear anytime soon .
The county on Tuesday confirmed 63 deaths and 1,440 new cases of COVID-19 , bringing the totals to 5,057 deaths and 211,808 cases since the outbreak began .
“ This is heartbreaking and reminds us of the human toll of this pandemic , ” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer , the county health director .
“ One of the deaths we are reporting today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 29 .
This is a reminder that the risk for all of us is real and that no matter how young you are , this virus can be deadly.
” Like the statewide totals , Los Angeles County ’ s latest figures are incomplete and do not include results from all labs , officials said .
Cases that are unaccounted for do not affect Los Angeles County ’ s reporting on key outbreak indicators , such as the number of hospitalized patients : 1,524 , with 32 % in intensive care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom and other state officials held a press conference announcing that they ’ d cleared up a backlog of 250,000 to 300,000 test results dating from July 25 .
The confirmed cases from those backlogged tests will be included in statewide daily totals through the week .
To that end , California on Monday reported 13,149 new COVID-19 cases , with additional older results expected to increase daily totals throughout the week .
“ The issue with the state ’ s electronic laboratory reporting system has been addressed , and the system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Department of Public Health said in a media statement Monday .
“ The entire backlog has been completely eliminated , and new cases attributed to the backlog will be reported over the next few days.
” Without an accurate picture of confirmed cases in recent days , many local officials who relied on the system had to conduct their own tallies to understand how the virus was spreading in their communities .
The infection rate is a closely watched indicator for counties looking to reopen businesses and schools .
The Central Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
Infections are spreading rapidly in Kern County , where there are now more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents , and Merced County , where there are 827 cases per 100,000 residents .
Both counties have banned outdoor gatherings as a result .
By comparison , Los Angeles County has about 340 cases per 100,000 residents .
In Northern California ’ s Lake County , where there are slightly more than 100 cases per 100,000 people , one of the state ’ s reopening thresholds , the testing backlog resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not much else .
“ We ’ re so small that we pretty much get the data , the relevant data , straight in , and the state data is almost a backup for us , ” said Lake County Public Health Officer Gary Pace .
“ We ’ ve been on top of it all along … I think a bigger problem would ’ ve been if we missed cases or some contact tracing.
” Another looming concern , Pace said , is wildfire season .
The county has a history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case numbers are relatively low , they could spike if people are forced to shelter together to avoid a wildfire .
“ There ’ s a huge history of wildfires here , and the biggest deal is preparing for the evacuation shelters , ” he said .
State officials provided more details on the data glitches at a news conference Monday , saying the reporting delay could be traced back to a server outage on July 25 within the state ’ s tracking system , the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test results from being uploaded .
The delays were exacerbated by decisions made behind the scenes , officials said , and on Sunday , the state ’ s director for the Department of Public Health , Dr. Sonia Angell , resigned .
“ These things are unfortunate , but we are moving forward , ” Newsom told reporters during a news briefing Monday in Sacramento .
“ I ’ m governor .
The buck stops with me.
” With the data beginning to arrive , the state case total continues its climb .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 cases , more than any other state , and 10,468 coronavirus-related deaths , .
After officials discovered the data backlog , the state stopped adding and removing counties from its watchlist of areas experiencing higher rates of transmission .
Inclusion on the list subjects the counties to more restrictions than parts of California with lower caseloads .
Thirty-eight counties , representing 97 % of the state ’ s population , are on the list .
Newsom said he was confident that the updated statewide data on the rate of positive coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other public health indicators showing a 19 % decline in COVID-related hospitalizations over the last two weeks .
That progress includes a 13 % decline in admissions to ICUs , Newsom said .
About 8 % of statewide hospital patients are being treated for COVID-19 , down from 9 % last week .
A new California system could allow local public health officials to grant waivers to reopen some elementary schools if the surrounding counties meet state standards .
Officials have said that counties with coronavirus transmission rates higher than 200 cases per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalization rates and ICU admissions fall , “ more and more counties will have an opportunity to consider the waiver process and determine if it is the right thing ” for local school districts , said Mark Ghaly , California ’ s Health and Human Services secretary .
Officials in Los Angeles County have said that no elementary schools will be allowed to reopen immediately .
Teachers , administrators and other staff will be allowed to return to school buildings if they observe social distancing and wear face coverings , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gutierrez contributed to this report .

Joseph Serna, Phil Willon, Laura J. Nelson

Total deaths from COVID-19 topped 5,000 in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, in what officials are calling a “heartbreaking” milestone for a health and economic crisis that won’t disappear anytime soon.
The county on Tuesday confirmed 63 deaths and 1,440 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the totals to 5,057 deaths and 211,808 cases since the outbreak began.
“This is heartbreaking and reminds us of the human toll of this pandemic,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county health director. “One of the deaths we are reporting today is of a young adult under the age of 29. This is a reminder that the risk for all of us is real and that no matter how young you are, this virus can be deadly.”
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Like the statewide totals, Los Angeles County’s latest figures are incomplete and do not include results from all labs, officials said. Cases that are unaccounted for do not affect Los Angeles County’s reporting on key outbreak indicators, such as the number of hospitalized patients: 1,524, with 32% in intensive care.
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials held a press conference announcing that they’d cleared up a backlog of 250,000 to 300,000 test results dating from July 25. The confirmed cases from those backlogged tests will be included in statewide daily totals through the week.
To that end, California on Monday reported 13,149 new COVID-19 cases, with additional older results expected to increase daily totals throughout the week.
“The issue with the state’s electronic laboratory reporting system has been addressed, and the system is now performing as expected,” the California Department of Public Health said in a media statement Monday. “The entire backlog has been completely eliminated, and new cases attributed to the backlog will be reported over the next few days.”
Without an accurate picture of confirmed cases in recent days, many local officials who relied on the system had to conduct their own tallies to understand how the virus was spreading in their communities. The infection rate is a closely watched indicator for counties looking to reopen businesses and schools.
The Central Valley is currently the hardest-hit part of the state. Infections are spreading rapidly in Kern County, where there are now more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 residents, and Merced County, where there are 827 cases per 100,000 residents. Both counties have banned outdoor gatherings as a result. By comparison, Los Angeles County has about 340 cases per 100,000 residents.
In Northern California’s Lake County, where there are slightly more than 100 cases per 100,000 people, one of the state’s reopening thresholds, the testing backlog resulted in some extra computer work for nurses, but not much else.
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“We’re so small that we pretty much get the data, the relevant data, straight in, and the state data is almost a backup for us,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Gary Pace. “We’ve been on top of it all along … I think a bigger problem would’ve been if we missed cases or some contact tracing.”
Another looming concern, Pace said, is wildfire season. The county has a history of devastating fires, and though COVID-19 case numbers are relatively low, they could spike if people are forced to shelter together to avoid a wildfire.
“There’s a huge history of wildfires here, and the biggest deal is preparing for the evacuation shelters,” he said.
State officials provided more details on the data glitches at a news conference Monday, saying the reporting delay could be traced back to a server outage on July 25 within the state’s tracking system, the California Reportable Disease Information Exchange, or CalREDIE, that kept 250,000 to 300,000 test results from being uploaded.
The delays were exacerbated by decisions made behind the scenes, officials said, and on Sunday, the state’s director for the Department of Public Health, Dr. Sonia Angell, resigned.
“These things are unfortunate, but we are moving forward,” Newsom told reporters during a news briefing Monday in Sacramento. “I’m governor. The buck stops with me.”
With the data beginning to arrive, the state case total continues its climb. Overall, California has had 574,411 confirmed COVID-19 cases, more than any other state, and 10,468 coronavirus-related deaths, .
After officials discovered the data backlog, the state stopped adding and removing counties from its watchlist of areas experiencing higher rates of transmission. Inclusion on the list subjects the counties to more restrictions than parts of California with lower caseloads. Thirty-eight counties, representing 97% of the state’s population, are on the list.
Newsom said he was confident that the updated statewide data on the rate of positive coronavirus tests would “look favorable” and cited other public health indicators showing a 19% decline in COVID-related hospitalizations over the last two weeks.
That progress includes a 13% decline in admissions to ICUs, Newsom said. About 8% of statewide hospital patients are being treated for COVID-19, down from 9% last week.
A new California system could allow local public health officials to grant waivers to reopen some elementary schools if the surrounding counties meet state standards. Officials have said that counties with coronavirus transmission rates higher than 200 cases per 100,000 residents should not apply.
As hospitalization rates and ICU admissions fall, “more and more counties will have an opportunity to consider the waiver process and determine if it is the right thing” for local school districts, said Mark Ghaly, California’s Health and Human Services secretary.
Officials in Los Angeles County have said that no elementary schools will be allowed to reopen immediately. Teachers, administrators and other staff will be allowed to return to school buildings if they observe social distancing and wear face coverings, officials said.
Times staff writers Taryn Luna and Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.