latimes--2020-10-11--LAPD declares unlawful assembly and begins arresting Lakers revelers outside Staples Center

The Lakers ’ first world championship in a decade was met Sunday with fireworks across Southern California and a large crowd converging near Staples Center , despite the urging of city leaders to stay away .
Police at times clashed with people on the streets of downtown , and there were scattered reports of vandalism in the area .
The California Highway Patrol closed freeway exit ramps into downtown .
After the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly , officers began arresting revelers when refused to leave .
Hundreds of Lakers faithful were just outside the Staples Center complex , cheering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Orlando , Fla .
Some chanted “ Kobe , Kobe ” in tribute to the former Lakers great who was killed in a helicopter crash this year .
A big crowd took over the intersection of Figueroa Street and Chick Hearn Court , dancing and jumping and setting off smoke bombs in purple and gold .
Police were blocking entrances into Staples Center and L.A. Live , including some holding weapons used to fire so-called less-lethal projectiles .
The crowd was mostly peaceful , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local TV broadcasts trying to kick in the windshield of an LAPD cruiser .
The screech and smell of tires burning rubber filled some downtown streets .
Three blocks from Staples Center , a man waving a large Lakers flag blocked traffic so a tan-colored car could do doughnuts in the intersection , eliciting hoots from the crowd .
Some merchants were on the street selling souvenirs .
As the evening wore on , there were reports of young men throwing champagne bottles at officers and police responding with beanbag rounds , sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , witnesses said .
In East Los Angeles , the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department shut down Whittier Boulevard to keep the celebration from getting out of hand .
Meanwhile , fireworks could be seen and heard in neighborhoods across the city amid cheers and celebrations .
“ I ’ m in shock , ” said Fontana resident Jose Valdez , 24 , who came to downtown L.A. in a white Kobe Bryant jersey to watch the game .
A red mask covered his nose and mouth but couldn ’ t hide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , livestreamed the revelers outside Staples from his phone .
The fast-food worker , who lives in Fresno , rented a room at the JW Marriott for the night to celebrate the victory in the Lakers ’ hometown .
“ This one is for Kobe , ” said Mendoza , who called himself a lifelong Lakers fan .
“ This one probably means the most of all of them.
” On Friday , Los Angeles Police Department officials had said they were hoping fans would stay home but were prepared for crowd control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the county and city forbid large social gatherings .
LAPD Deputy Chief Vito Palazzolo , who oversees the department ’ s Central Bureau , which includes L.A. Live , said : “ We hope people celebrate at home… .
The teams are playing in the bubble , not locally.
” But Cris Roldan , watching a line of vehicles heading toward Staples Center as he gassed up his car about a block away , said he thought many people had driven downtown because they wanted to join the celebration from their cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being near people .
“ I don ’ t want to be near too many crowds , ” said Roldan , who wore a mask and a gold Lakers jersey .
Magic Johnson , one of the stars of the Lakers ’ title-studded Showtime era of the 1980s , took to Twitter to have the last word :

The Lakers’ first NBA championship in a decade was met Sunday with fireworks across Southern California and a large crowd converging near Staples Center, despite the urging of city leaders to stay away.
Police at times clashed with people on the streets of downtown, and there were scattered reports of vandalism in the area.
The California Highway Patrol closed freeway exit ramps into downtown. After the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly, officers began arresting revelers who refused to leave.
Hundreds of Lakers faithful were just outside the Staples Center complex, cheering as the team defeated the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Orlando, Fla. Some chanted “Kobe, Kobe” in tribute to the former Lakers great who was killed in a helicopter crash this year.
A big crowd took over the intersection of Figueroa Street and Chick Hearn Court, dancing and jumping and setting off smoke bombs in purple and gold.
A motorcyclist does a burnout in the middle of the crowd celebrating in the street outside L.A. Live. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
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Police were blocking entrances into Staples Center and L.A. Live, including some holding weapons used to fire so-called less-lethal projectiles. The crowd was mostly peaceful, although several people could be seen on local TV broadcasts trying to kick in the windshield of an LAPD cruiser.
The screech and smell of tires burning rubber filled some downtown streets. Three blocks from Staples Center, a man waving a large Lakers flag blocked traffic so a tan-colored car could do doughnuts in the intersection, eliciting hoots from the crowd.
Some merchants were on the street selling souvenirs. As the evening wore on, there were reports of young men throwing champagne bottles at officers and police responding with beanbag rounds, sending hundreds of people at the celebration running, witnesses said.
In East Los Angeles, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department shut down Whittier Boulevard to keep the celebration from getting out of hand.
Lakers fans gather in the street outside Staples Center on Sunday night in celebration. Police had blocked entrances to the L.A. Live complex. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Meanwhile, fireworks could be seen and heard in neighborhoods across the city amid cheers and celebrations.
“I’m in shock,” said Fontana resident Jose Valdez, 24, who came to downtown L.A. in a white Kobe Bryant jersey to watch the game. A red mask covered his nose and mouth but couldn’t hide his elation.
“I’m so happy,” Valdez said.
Daniel Mendoza, 43, livestreamed the revelers outside Staples from his phone. The fast-food worker, who lives in Fresno, rented a room at the JW Marriott for the night to celebrate the victory in the Lakers’ hometown.
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“This one is for Kobe,” said Mendoza, who called himself a lifelong Lakers fan. “This one probably means the most of all of them.”
Outside of Staples Center. Police are directing fans to stay on the sidewalk: https://t.co/OeCnE0pNql pic.twitter.com/5pysM9mRRn — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) October 12, 2020
On Friday, Los Angeles Police Department officials had said they were hoping fans would stay home but were prepared for crowd control if needed. Social distancing requirements imposed by the county and city forbid large social gatherings.
LAPD Deputy Chief Vito Palazzolo, who oversees the department’s Central Bureau, which includes L.A. Live, said: “We hope people celebrate at home…. The teams are playing in the bubble, not locally.”
But Cris Roldan, watching a line of vehicles heading toward Staples Center as he gassed up his car about a block away, said he thought many people had driven downtown because they wanted to join the celebration from their cars without risking exposure to the coronavirus by being near people.
“I don’t want to be near too many crowds,” said Roldan, who wore a mask and a gold Lakers jersey.
Magic Johnson, one of the stars of the Lakers’ title-studded Showtime era of the 1980s, took to Twitter to have the last word:
“OK @Dodgers!!! It’s your turn now!!”


latimes--2020-10-11--Southern California braces for another heat wave this week

After a brief reprieve of cool temperatures over the weekend , Southern California is expected to get hit with another heat wave this week that could bring periods of elevated fire risk , according to forecasters .
Temperatures are likely to stay around the 90-degree mark in the Los Angeles area for most of the week , said John Dumas , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service .
Inland and valley areas are expected to see triple-digit temperatures .
A high-pressure ridge is forecast to build over the area , bringing northerly offshore winds that heat up and dry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and squeeze through mountain passes , Dumas said .
The winds will cut off the afternoon sea breeze that usually mitigates the heat from earlier in the day , particularly in coastal areas , he said .
“ This effectively shuts off our natural air conditioning system , ” Dumas said .
Gusty winds were expected to begin developing below passes and canyons in the Santa Ynez Range of southern Santa Barbara County on Sunday night .
North to northeast winds will also affect the Interstate 5 corridor and valleys of eastern Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. County .
A heat advisory for much of the region is expected to go into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and continue until 5 p.m. Friday , according to the weather service .
The National Weather Service is projecting that the combination of elevated temperatures , low humidities and moderate winds will result in elevated to briefly critical fire conditions .
“ It hasn ’ t rained since March or so , ” Dumas said .
“ So it is still very dry out there.
” California just recorded its on record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atmospheric Administration , and the state looks to be stuck in a nearly endless loop of hot , dry weather .
With a strong La Niña developing , the dry pattern is looking ever harder to break , and could be settling in to stay for a while , forecasters said .
Arizona and California experienced their warmest April-to-September period in 126 years , the Drought Monitor reported .
New Mexico and Nevada had their second-warmest such period .
With the essentially a no-show this year , Utah and Arizona recorded their driest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
New Mexico had its second-driest and Colorado had its third-driest .
Arizona ’ s newly established statewide precipitation record came in more than 2 inches drier that the previous record .
California is already experiencing its , surpassing 4 million acres burned — more than double the state ’ s previous record .

After a brief reprieve of cool temperatures over the weekend, Southern California is expected to get hit with another heat wave this week that could bring periods of elevated fire risk, according to forecasters.
Temperatures are likely to stay around the 90-degree mark in the Los Angeles area for most of the week, said John Dumas, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Inland and valley areas are expected to see triple-digit temperatures.
A high-pressure ridge is forecast to build over the area, bringing northerly offshore winds that heat up and dry out the air as they travel downhill and squeeze through mountain passes, Dumas said. The winds will cut off the afternoon sea breeze that usually mitigates the heat from earlier in the day, particularly in coastal areas, he said.
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“This effectively shuts off our natural air conditioning system,” Dumas said.
Gusty winds were expected to begin developing below passes and canyons in the Santa Ynez Range of southern Santa Barbara County on Sunday night. North to northeast winds will also affect the Interstate 5 corridor and valleys of eastern Ventura County as well as northern and western L.A. County.
A heat advisory for much of the region is expected to go into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and continue until 5 p.m. Friday, according to the weather service.
The National Weather Service is projecting that the combination of elevated temperatures, low humidities and moderate winds will result in elevated to briefly critical fire conditions.
“It hasn’t rained since March or so,” Dumas said. “So it is still very dry out there.”
California just recorded its hottest September on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the state looks to be stuck in a nearly endless loop of hot, dry weather.
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With a strong La Niña developing, the dry pattern is looking ever harder to break, and could be settling in to stay for a while, forecasters said.
Arizona and California experienced their warmest April-to-September period in 126 years, the Drought Monitor reported. New Mexico and Nevada had their second-warmest such period.
With the monsoon season essentially a no-show this year, Utah and Arizona recorded their driest period ever during that same six-month stretch. New Mexico had its second-driest and Colorado had its third-driest. Arizona’s newly established statewide precipitation record came in more than 2 inches drier that the previous record.


latimes--2020-10-11--Tens of thousands protest outside L.A.'s Turkish Consulate in solidarity with Armenia

Tens of thousands of demonstrators protested outside the Turkish Consulate in Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon in a show of solidarity with Armenia in its battle with neighboring Azerbaijan over a tiny separatist region on the border of the former Soviet republics .
The crowd was estimated at 35,000 people , at its height stretching down Wilshire Boulevard from Fairfax Avenue to La Cienega Boulevard , Beverly Hills Police Lt. Todd Withers said .
The Los Angeles Police Department ’ s Wilshire Station later tweeted that the crowd had reached 100,000 .
Since fighting broke out in the region Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters have taken to the streets of Los Angeles to protest the hostilities more than 7,000 miles away , blocking major freeways and demanding that politicians back their cause .
Some have left to fight on the front for their homeland or aid in the humanitarian side of the war effort .
At least 200 protesters gathered outside the Armenian Consulate in Glendale on Saturday night .
The demonstrators have focused their opposition on Turkey , which has expressed support for Azerbaijan , in part because of the two nations ’ strong ethnic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wept as he and other protesters gathered in L.A. ’ s Pan Pacific Park before marching to the consulate .
The native of Armenia , who has been in the U.S. for 30 years , said Turkey and Azerbaijan were trying to carry out a genocide against his people .
“ No more war , no more killing each other , ” said Kadzhikyan , who wore a mask with an image of the Armenian flag and a shirt embroidered with a peace sign .
Kristine Hamalian and her husband , Sarkis Hamalian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The couple , who live in Granada Hills , joined protesters to “ do whatever we can out here to help those in Armenia , ” said Hamalian , 29 .
Turkish Consul General Can Oguz said his country was not a party to the current fighting .
“ Turkey has strong relations with Azerbaijan , it ’ s no secret , ” Oguz said .
“ It ’ s based on history and culture.
” “ Accusations leveled against Turkey in the recent confrontation are just aimed to distract attention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our recent cease-fire , ” he said .
The demonstration arrives amid a fraying Russian-brokered cease-fire between the two countries in the South Caucasus .
Almost immediately after the cease-fire went into effect at noon Saturday , each side accused the other of shelling civilian areas and escalating two weeks of deadly clashes .
At the center of the dispute is Nagorno-Karabakh , referred to by Armenians as Artsakh , which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic Armenians .
Hostilities over the region are at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended a separatist war that claimed about 30,000 lives .
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh can be traced to the beginnings of the Soviet Union .
In 1923 , Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Soviet Azerbaijan while maintaining its autonomous status .
Around the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union , there were attempts from Nagorno-Karabakh to break away from Azerbaijan , which were met with violence .
Violence has flared periodically since the 1994 cease-fire , notably during 2016 ’ s Four-Day War , when clashes left hundreds dead .
In July , border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths of Armenian and Azebaijani servicemen .
Armenia said last month that a Turkish warplane had shot down an Armenian jet .
But Turkey and Azerbaijan vigorously denied that .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recently that a call for peace from France , Russia and the U.S. was unacceptable and that “ our Azerbaijani brothers are now waiting for the day they will return to their land .
”

Members of the Armenian American community and supporters gather Sunday at Pan Pacific Park in Los Angeles before marching to the Turkish Consulate in Beverly Hills.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators protested outside the Turkish Consulate in Beverly Hills on Sunday afternoon in a show of solidarity with Armenia in its battle with neighboring Azerbaijan over a tiny separatist region on the border of the former Soviet republics.
The crowd was estimated at 35,000 people, at its height stretching down Wilshire Boulevard from Fairfax Avenue to La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills Police Lt. Todd Withers said. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Station later tweeted that the crowd had reached 100,000.
Protesters carry a giant flag Sunday on Wilshire Boulevard in support of Armenia in its deadly conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
Since fighting broke out in the region Sept. 27, thousands of Armenian Americans and supporters have taken to the streets of Los Angeles to protest the hostilities more than 7,000 miles away, blocking major freeways and demanding that politicians back their cause. Some have left to fight on the front for their homeland or aid in the humanitarian side of the war effort.
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At least 200 protesters gathered outside the Armenian Consulate in Glendale on Saturday night.
The demonstrators have focused their opposition on Turkey, which has expressed support for Azerbaijan, in part because of the two nations’ strong ethnic ties.
Arutyun Kadzhikyan, 56, wept as he and other protesters gathered in L.A.’s Pan Pacific Park before marching to the consulate. The native of Armenia, who has been in the U.S. for 30 years, said Turkey and Azerbaijan were trying to carry out a genocide against his people.
“No more war, no more killing each other,” said Kadzhikyan, who wore a mask with an image of the Armenian flag and a shirt embroidered with a peace sign.
Kristine Hamalian and her husband, Sarkis Hamalian, honeymooned in the contested region last year. The couple, who live in Granada Hills, joined protesters to “do whatever we can out here to help those in Armenia,” said Hamalian, 29.
Turkish Consul General Can Oguz said his country was not a party to the current fighting.
“Turkey has strong relations with Azerbaijan, it’s no secret,” Oguz said. “It’s based on history and culture.”
“Accusations leveled against Turkey in the recent confrontation are just aimed to distract attention from this illegal occupation and the violation of our recent cease-fire,” he said.
× On Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, demonstrators protested in solidarity with Armenia and its battle over the disputed border region of Nagorno-Karabakh, referred to by Armenians as Artsakh.
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The demonstration arrives amid a fraying Russian-brokered cease-fire between the two countries in the South Caucasus. Almost immediately after the cease-fire went into effect at noon Saturday, each side accused the other of shelling civilian areas and escalating two weeks of deadly clashes.
At the center of the dispute is Nagorno-Karabakh, referred to by Armenians as Artsakh, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but populated mostly by ethnic Armenians. Hostilities over the region are at their fiercest since an uneasy truce in 1994 ended a separatist war that claimed about 30,000 lives.
The conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh can be traced to the beginnings of the Soviet Union. In 1923, Nagorno-Karabakh became part of Soviet Azerbaijan while maintaining its autonomous status.
Around the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, there were attempts from Nagorno-Karabakh to break away from Azerbaijan, which were met with violence.
Violence has flared periodically since the 1994 cease-fire, notably during 2016’s Four-Day War, when clashes left hundreds dead.
California Here’s why Armenian Americans in Southern California are protesting Los Angeles is the home to one of the largest Armenian diasporas. Here’s why many are fearful over the recent violence with Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, known to Armenians as Artsakh.
In July, border clashes outside the contested area resulted in deaths of Armenian and Azebaijani servicemen.
Armenia said last month that a Turkish warplane had shot down an Armenian jet. But Turkey and Azerbaijan vigorously denied that.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recently that a call for peace from France, Russia and the U.S. was unacceptable and that “our Azerbaijani brothers are now waiting for the day they will return to their land.”
Times staff writer Ada Tseng contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-12--Tree branches hitting power lines may have sparked Bobcat fire, utility says

Tree branches may have come in contact with Southern California Edison equipment and sparked the Bobcat fire in the Angeles National Forest , according to a letter the utility sent to regulators on Monday .
As part of the U.S. Forest Service ’ s probe into the fire , investigators took a 23-foot-long line of conductor belonging to the utility , an “ H-Frame structure ” with two power poles and three tree branches , Edison wrote in its letter to the Public Utilities Commission .
Monday ’ s letter was a supplement to the utility ’ s Sept. 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company notified regulators that there was an “ incident ” on their grid in the same general area and around the same time as the beginning of the Bobcat fire .
The fire has scorched more than 115,000 acres between the San Gabriel and Antelope valleys and destroyed more than 80 homes since it began Sept. 6 near Cogswell Dam in the Angeles National Forest .
In its first filing regarding the incident , Edison said that the Bobcat fire was reported at 12:21 p.m. and that five minutes earlier , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of Dalton Substation experienced a relay operation , ” indicating its equipment detected some kind of abnormal condition or event on the circuit .
However , the utility continued , cameras in the area showed smoke was already developing in the area before their grid “ incident.
” While the Forest Service moves forward with its investigation , Edison officials said they will simultaneously conduct their own to determine “ whether vegetation in the area could have been a factor , including whether vegetation may have encroached within the minimum clearance distance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conductor retained by USFS .
“ SCE is also investigating the impact an active fire might have had on our circuit , and is investigating other potential causes of the ignition such as customer-owned electrical facilities and human activity in the area.
” In California , utilities can be found liable for wildfire damages their equipment contributes to , even if they ’ ve properly maintained it , under the state ’ s unique inverse-condemnation law .

Tree branches may have come in contact with Southern California Edison equipment and sparked the Bobcat fire in the Angeles National Forest, according to a letter the utility sent to regulators on Monday.
As part of the U.S. Forest Service’s probe into the fire, investigators took a 23-foot-long line of conductor belonging to the utility, an “H-Frame structure” with two power poles and three tree branches, Edison wrote in its letter to the Public Utilities Commission.
Monday’s letter was a supplement to the utility’s Sept. 15 filing with the CPUC, where the company notified regulators that there was an “incident” on their grid in the same general area and around the same time as the beginning of the Bobcat fire.
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The fire has scorched more than 115,000 acres between the San Gabriel and Antelope valleys and destroyed more than 80 homes since it began Sept. 6 near Cogswell Dam in the Angeles National Forest.
In its first filing regarding the incident, Edison said that the Bobcat fire was reported at 12:21 p.m. and that five minutes earlier, the company’s “Jarvis 12 kV circuit out of Dalton Substation experienced a relay operation,” indicating its equipment detected some kind of abnormal condition or event on the circuit.
However, the utility continued, cameras in the area showed smoke was already developing in the area before their grid “incident.”
While the Forest Service moves forward with its investigation, Edison officials said they will simultaneously conduct their own to determine “whether vegetation in the area could have been a factor, including whether vegetation may have encroached within the minimum clearance distance or contacted the section of the overhead conductor retained by USFS.
“SCE is also investigating the impact an active fire might have had on our circuit, and is investigating other potential causes of the ignition such as customer-owned electrical facilities and human activity in the area.”
In California, utilities can be found liable for wildfire damages their equipment contributes to, even if they’ve properly maintained it, under the state’s unique inverse-condemnation law.


latimes--2020-10-12--Californians hospitalized with COVID-19 at lowest level in 6 months

While the spread of the coronavirus accelerates in much of the nation , California is enjoying a moment of relief , as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have dropped to the lowest levels in months .
The average number of deaths logged daily in the state is 57 , the lowest since May , according to a rolling seven-day average calculated by The Times .
In addition , fewer patients are in the hospital with COVID-19 — 2,209 as of Saturday — than there have been since April 2 .
The state ’ s positivity rate , a measure of tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is 2.6 % , an all-time low , according to state data .
These figures represent a major improvement following a massive spike earlier this year .
During the summer months , the average number of deaths recorded each day reached 140 , the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 topped 7,000 , and the state positivity rate crossed 7 % .
Despite these hopeful signs , Gov .
Gavin Newsom warned Monday that the rate at which hospitalizations and deaths are declining has slowed , while case numbers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plateau .
Additionally , some of the figures released Monday may be artificially low because of a lag in reporting over the weekend .
“ These are just areas of caution , a sober reminder of how stubborn this disease is and how prevalent and widespread this disease still remains here in California , ” Newsom said during a news briefing .
He also raised alarms about the upcoming flu season , which could create added challenges in battling the coronavirus , as well as the arrival of colder weather that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the virus is more likely to spread .
On Friday , the state released guidelines for socializing that prohibit gatherings among more than three households .
“ We are entering into the holidays , but also we ’ re entering into the part of the year when things cool down and people are more likely to congregate ... in settings that put their physical proximity and likelihood of transmitting disease at higher risk , ” Newsom said .
“ Don ’ t be misled that this disease is any less deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as deadly as it ’ s ever been in the context of those that are high-risk.
” The new numbers come as the state has been slowly allowing some counties to open more businesses .
Most recently , Ventura , Merced and Yuba counties were allowed to loosen restrictions on businesses , giving restaurants , movie theaters and gyms the ability to open indoors in limited capacity .
Newsom said more counties will be allowed to take similar steps on Tuesday , when the state announces which counties meet the criteria for entering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some counties continue to struggle to meet the required thresholds , California in general is “ moving in the right direction , ” he said .
He added that the state is considering allowing tattoo parlors to open in counties that remain in the most restrictive , or purple , tier for reopening and will soon release updated guidance .
State officials previously made a similar exception for nail salons and barbershops .

Patrons visit downtown Ventura at lunchtime on Wednesday. Statewide, COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have dropped to their lowest levels in months.
While the spread of the coronavirus accelerates in much of the nation, California is enjoying a moment of relief, as COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have dropped to the lowest levels in months.
The average number of deaths logged daily in the state is 57, the lowest since May, according to a rolling seven-day average calculated by The Times. In addition, fewer patients are in the hospital with COVID-19 — 2,209 as of Saturday — than there have been since April 2.
The state’s positivity rate, a measure of tests for the virus that come back positive, is 2.6%, an all-time low, according to state data.
These figures represent a major improvement following a massive spike earlier this year. During the summer months, the average number of deaths recorded each day reached 140, the number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 topped 7,000, and the state positivity rate crossed 7%.
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Despite these hopeful signs, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned Monday that the rate at which hospitalizations and deaths are declining has slowed, while case numbers have stopped falling and appear to have reached a plateau. Additionally, some of the figures released Monday may be artificially low because of a lag in reporting over the weekend.
“These are just areas of caution, a sober reminder of how stubborn this disease is and how prevalent and widespread this disease still remains here in California,” Newsom said during a news briefing.
He also raised alarms about the upcoming flu season, which could create added challenges in battling the coronavirus, as well as the arrival of colder weather that may force people to spend more time indoors, where the virus is more likely to spread. On Friday, the state released guidelines for socializing that prohibit gatherings among more than three households.
“We are entering into the holidays, but also we’re entering into the part of the year when things cool down and people are more likely to congregate ... in settings that put their physical proximity and likelihood of transmitting disease at higher risk,” Newsom said. “Don’t be misled that this disease is any less deadly. Quite the contrary — it is as deadly as it’s ever been in the context of those that are high-risk.”
The new numbers come as the state has been slowly allowing some counties to open more businesses. Most recently, Ventura, Merced and Yuba counties were allowed to loosen restrictions on businesses, giving restaurants, movie theaters and gyms the ability to open indoors in limited capacity.
Newsom said more counties will be allowed to take similar steps on Tuesday, when the state announces which counties meet the criteria for entering the next phase of reopening. Though some counties continue to struggle to meet the required thresholds, California in general is “moving in the right direction,” he said.
He added that the state is considering allowing tattoo parlors to open in counties that remain in the most restrictive, or purple, tier for reopening and will soon release updated guidance. State officials previously made a similar exception for nail salons and barbershops.
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Times staff writer Iris Lee contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-12--Federal stimulus checks must go to prison inmates, U.S. judge in California rules

For months , incarcerated people across the country have received conflicting and confusing information about whether they can legally collect federal coronavirus stimulus funds , while the Internal Revenue Service flip-flopped on the question .
A federal judge recently made clear that those behind bars do qualify for the $ 1,200 checks , approved by Congress earlier this year as part of the largest economic aid package in U.S. history .
U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled the decision to exclude them was arbitrary and capricious .
Ruling in favor of two Californians who brought a class action suit on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , Hamilton found that nothing in the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security ( Cares ) Act prohibited those in jails and prisons from receiving the relief funds , and last week laid out detailed instructions for the IRS to make sure those entitled to payments have accurate information .
“ It ’ s very clear that the IRS is in the wrong and they have to make these payments to incarcerated folks , ” said Los Angeles-based civil rights attorney Lisa Holder , one of the lawyers on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Society .
“ They don ’ t have any viable legal argument.
” The IRS initially had been sending payments to prisoners when the funding was first released earlier this year , but stopped in May after a report by the agency ’ s inspector general found that $ 100 million in payments had been sent to about 85,000 prisoners across the United States .
The IRS subsequently created an internal policy banning payments to prisoners and instructed those who had already received the money to return it .
The agency also instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they arrived , and advised that prisoners seeking the payments could be committing fraud .
In August , Colin Scholl , incarcerated at Salinas Valley State prison , and Lisa Strawn , a trans woman who was incarcerated at San Quentin until July , filed a lawsuit against the government on behalf of about 1.5 million incarcerated people nationwide , arguing that , as written , nothing in the law banned inmates from the money .
Hamilton agreed and issued a preliminary injunction in late September , ordering the IRS to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and for both parties to work out details .
But the government and plaintiffs couldn ’ t come to terms on how to move forward .
Last week , Hamilton stepped in , laying out further instructions for the IRS to update its website and customer service materials to remove cautions that prisoners did not qualify , and extending the time period for incarcerated people to complete necessary filings .
IRS spokesman Dean Patterson said Monday that the agency was closed for a federal holiday and that he was unable to immediately confirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The IRS informed the court in filings that it is reserving the right to appeal the final ruling , which is expected in coming days , and asked for a stay on the preliminary injunction .
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Dana Simas said her agency had previously collected and returned 124 checks issued earlier this year to state prisoners , but will resume allowing inmates to receive those funds , and provide information for others on how to complete forms required to receive checks .
“ CDCR is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posters , sample forms , and other communications material for the incarcerated population on how they can submit their paper forms by the deadline , ” Simas said in an email .
San Francisco attorney Yaman Salahi , another lead lawyer for the plaintiffs , said Monday that since the injunction , his firm has received 2,600 emails and more than 165,000 visits to a website , caresactprisoncase.org , with details for prisoners on how to receive the funds .
Salahi pointed out that many in prison are from low-income households and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its economic impacts .
That , he said , has left some prisoners with fewer financial resources for necessities such as phone calls and toiletries .
Incarcerated people “ rely heavily on their loved ones on the outside for support , and those are the same people who are less and less able to provide that support during the pandemic , ” he said .
Scholl , the Salinas Valley inmate , said in a statement that “ the order communicates that we have value , that we have rights , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us are hurting during the pandemic , like our friends and family on the outside .
”

For months, incarcerated people across the country have received conflicting and confusing information about whether they can legally collect federal coronavirus stimulus funds, while the Internal Revenue Service flip-flopped on the question.
A federal judge recently made clear that those behind bars do qualify for the $1,200 checks, approved by Congress earlier this year as part of the largest economic aid package in U.S. history. U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled the decision to exclude them was arbitrary and capricious.
Ruling in favor of two Californians who brought a class action suit on behalf of other incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people, Hamilton found that nothing in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) Act prohibited those in jails and prisons from receiving the relief funds, and last week laid out detailed instructions for the IRS to make sure those entitled to payments have accurate information.
“It’s very clear that the IRS is in the wrong and they have to make these payments to incarcerated folks,” said Los Angeles-based civil rights attorney Lisa Holder, one of the lawyers on the case on behalf of the Equal Justice Society. “They don’t have any viable legal argument.”
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The IRS initially had been sending payments to prisoners when the funding was first released earlier this year, but stopped in May after a report by the agency’s inspector general found that $100 million in payments had been sent to about 85,000 prisoners across the United States. The IRS subsequently created an internal policy banning payments to prisoners and instructed those who had already received the money to return it.
The agency also instructed prison officials to collect and return checks when they arrived, and advised that prisoners seeking the payments could be committing fraud.
In August, Colin Scholl, incarcerated at Salinas Valley State prison, and Lisa Strawn, a trans woman who was incarcerated at San Quentin until July, filed a lawsuit against the government on behalf of about 1.5 million incarcerated people nationwide, arguing that, as written, nothing in the law banned inmates from the money.
Hamilton agreed and issued a preliminary injunction in late September, ordering the IRS to resume payments for incarcerated people within 30 days and for both parties to work out details.
But the government and plaintiffs couldn’t come to terms on how to move forward. Last week, Hamilton stepped in, laying out further instructions for the IRS to update its website and customer service materials to remove cautions that prisoners did not qualify, and extending the time period for incarcerated people to complete necessary filings.
IRS spokesman Dean Patterson said Monday that the agency was closed for a federal holiday and that he was unable to immediately confirm if checks had resumed for incarcerated taxpayers. The IRS informed the court in filings that it is reserving the right to appeal the final ruling, which is expected in coming days, and asked for a stay on the preliminary injunction.
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California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokeswoman Dana Simas said her agency had previously collected and returned 124 checks issued earlier this year to state prisoners, but will resume allowing inmates to receive those funds, and provide information for others on how to complete forms required to receive checks.
“CDCR is in the process of distributing educational information through posters, sample forms, and other communications material for the incarcerated population on how they can submit their paper forms by the deadline,” Simas said in an email.
San Francisco attorney Yaman Salahi, another lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, said Monday that since the injunction, his firm has received 2,600 emails and more than 165,000 visits to a website, caresactprisoncase.org, with details for prisoners on how to receive the funds.
Salahi pointed out that many in prison are from low-income households and have families hit hard by both the virus and its economic impacts. That, he said, has left some prisoners with fewer financial resources for necessities such as phone calls and toiletries.
Incarcerated people “rely heavily on their loved ones on the outside for support, and those are the same people who are less and less able to provide that support during the pandemic,” he said.
Scholl, the Salinas Valley inmate, said in a statement that “the order communicates that we have value, that we have rights, and that itself is a win. All of us are hurting during the pandemic, like our friends and family on the outside.”


latimes--2020-10-12--2 drivers mistake gas pedal for brake, leaving 1 dead and several hospitalized in San Jose

Two car crashes in which authorities say older drivers mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake left one person dead and several others injured in San Jose over the weekend , police said .
The first incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Sunday when a 69-year-old man drove a Toyota 4Runner into a group of people who were dining outside the Grand Century Plaza in the 1100 block of Story Road .
Nine adults were injured in the crash , including the driver , police said .
Two people were listed in critical condition Monday morning .
Initial reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time of the crash , but San Jose police Officer Christian Camarillo said Monday that was not clear .
Witnesses said patrons began screaming and trying to help those who were injured after the crash , in which the SUV plowed into the outdoor dining area of a restaurant set up in the parking lot in order to accommodate coronavirus restrictions .
“ The noise when [ the 4Runner ] went through was like a huge grinding sound because of all the tables and everything caught underneath , ” John Brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearby and saw the crash , told the Mercury News .
“ It was so fast , a lot of people didn ’ t react at first .
I saw them go in the ambulances .
Everyone was very shocked.
” Buck Suggs , 54 , of San Jose , who was also working at the booth , said he saw the vehicle parked in the lot directly across from the outdoor dining area .
Suggs said he heard the engine rev and the tires screech , then saw the vehicle , smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across a two-lane road and a traffic median before crashing into the dining area .
People could be heard screaming , “ Get out of the way , ” before a loud crashing sound , he said .
About a mile away , an “ eerily similar ” crash occurred about 6 p.m. on the same stretch of road , Camarillo said .
An older woman pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake on her Ford F-150 pickup truck , striking a pedestrian and crashing into a food truck and outdoor dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road , police said .
The pedestrian , who was identified by San Jose police as an adult male , died early Monday of his injuries .
The crashes were unrelated , Camarillo said , and are under investigation .
The second of the two crashes was the 38th fatal traffic collision this year , San Jose police said .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Police investigate the area where a driver slammed into an outdoor dining area at Grand Century Plaza in San Jose on Sunday.
Two car crashes in which authorities say older drivers mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake left one person dead and several others injured in San Jose over the weekend, police said.
The first incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Sunday when a 69-year-old man drove a Toyota 4Runner into a group of people who were dining outside the Grand Century Plaza in the 1100 block of Story Road.
Nine adults were injured in the crash, including the driver, police said. Two people were listed in critical condition Monday morning. Initial reports indicated the driver was in medical distress at the time of the crash, but San Jose police Officer Christian Camarillo said Monday that was not clear.
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Witnesses said patrons began screaming and trying to help those who were injured after the crash, in which the SUV plowed into the outdoor dining area of a restaurant set up in the parking lot in order to accommodate coronavirus restrictions.
“The noise when [the 4Runner] went through was like a huge grinding sound because of all the tables and everything caught underneath,” John Brown, who was staffing a political booth nearby and saw the crash, told the Mercury News. “It was so fast, a lot of people didn’t react at first. I saw them go in the ambulances. Everyone was very shocked.”
Buck Suggs, 54, of San Jose, who was also working at the booth, said he saw the vehicle parked in the lot directly across from the outdoor dining area. Suggs said he heard the engine rev and the tires screech, then saw the vehicle, smoke coming from its tires as it propelled across a two-lane road and a traffic median before crashing into the dining area.
People could be heard screaming, “Get out of the way,” before a loud crashing sound, he said.
About a mile away, an “eerily similar” crash occurred about 6 p.m. on the same stretch of road, Camarillo said.
An older woman pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake on her Ford F-150 pickup truck, striking a pedestrian and crashing into a food truck and outdoor dining area in the 1000 block of Story Road, police said.
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The pedestrian, who was identified by San Jose police as an adult male, died early Monday of his injuries.
The crashes were unrelated, Camarillo said, and are under investigation.
The second of the two crashes was the 38th fatal traffic collision this year, San Jose police said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-12--COVID-19 restrictions may have played a role in San Francisco firefighter's death

The San Francisco Fire Department has revealed the circumstances leading to the death of a firefighter during a training exercise last week , noting that restrictions implemented to stem the spread of the coronavirus might have played a role .
Jason Cortez , 42 , was knocked off a third-floor fire escape Wednesday by an inadvertent water blast , the report said .
He was alone on the fire escape of a training facility at 19th and Folsom streets when he opened the gate of a hose adapter that did not have a hose lined attached , and the stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pushed him backward .
Although accidental in nature , Cortez ’ s death could be linked to COVID-19 restrictions , according to the report .
His engine company , Station No .
3 , was conducting a solo training exercise that typically requires multiple firefighters from two stations .
“ Because of COVID 19 concerns , multi-company drills are suspended , ” the report said .
Engine 3 “ was forced to conduct a pump operation drill alone .
... Each [ firefighter ] was required to carry out tasks individually which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team.
” The San Francisco Fire Department was one of the first in the nation to implement aggressive COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with recommendations from doctors , hazardous-industry specialists and epidemiologists , according to spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter .
The social distancing measures are meant to ensure the safety of fire crews and the communities they serve .
“ We don ’ t want to cross-pollinate those crews unless we absolutely have to , ” Baxter said .
“ Cross-pollination does occur during actual emergencies , but those are uncontrolled .
When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training session , we try to limit the exposure as much as possible.
” Baxter said it was likely that those guidelines would be reevaluated in light of Cortez ’ s death , but he said training and community safety must remain top priorities .
“ We can ’ t put training on hold during COVID-19 because emergencies aren ’ t going to go on hold , ” he said .
“ We have to be prepared , especially when we have so many new and young firefighters that need to be trained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But one fatality , one injury , is one too many.
” Cortez was a father of two and the son of a retired San Francisco firefighter .
He was treated for critical injuries at the scene and transported to San Francisco General Hospital shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday .
He died from his injuries less than an hour later .
Station No .
3 , in the Tenderloin neighborhood , is regularly ranked one of the busiest in the country , often with up to 40 calls during a 24-hour shift .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning , he had a positive attitude , smile on his face , excellent customer service , ” Baxter said .
`` [ He was ] just a unique person to be on one of those engine companies , and just a uniquely genuine , nice person.
” According to the report , pressure from the hose could have been as high as 115 pounds per square inch .
The San Francisco Police Department and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health are conducting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several of Cortez ’ s colleagues accompanied his body in a procession from the hospital to the medical examiner ’ s office Wednesday .
A GoFundMe account set up for his wife and children has already raised more than $ 240,000 .

The San Francisco Fire Department has revealed the circumstances leading to the death of a firefighter during a training exercise last week, noting that restrictions implemented to stem the spread of the coronavirus might have played a role.
Jason Cortez, 42, was knocked off a third-floor fire escape Wednesday by an inadvertent water blast, the report said. He was alone on the fire escape of a training facility at 19th and Folsom streets when he opened the gate of a hose adapter that did not have a hose attached, and the stream of water struck him in the chest and pushed him backward.
Although accidental in nature, Cortez’s death could be linked to COVID-19 restrictions, according to the report. His engine company, Station No. 3, was conducting a solo training exercise that typically requires multiple firefighters from two stations.
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“Because of COVID 19 concerns, multi-company drills are suspended,” the report said. Engine 3 “was forced to conduct a pump operation drill alone. ... Each [firefighter] was required to carry out tasks individually which are normally done as part of a team.”
San Francisco Fire Department firefighter paramedic Jason Cortez. (San Francisco Fire Department )
The San Francisco Fire Department was one of the first in the nation to implement aggressive COVID-19 guidelines in accordance with recommendations from doctors, hazardous-industry specialists and epidemiologists, according to spokesman Lt. Jonathan Baxter. The social distancing measures are meant to ensure the safety of fire crews and the communities they serve.
“We don’t want to cross-pollinate those crews unless we absolutely have to,” Baxter said. “Cross-pollination does occur during actual emergencies, but those are uncontrolled. When we have controlled sessions, such as a training session, we try to limit the exposure as much as possible.”
Baxter said it was likely that those guidelines would be reevaluated in light of Cortez’s death, but he said training and community safety must remain top priorities.
“We can’t put training on hold during COVID-19 because emergencies aren’t going to go on hold,” he said. “We have to be prepared, especially when we have so many new and young firefighters that need to be trained and tested on skill sets. ... But one fatality, one injury, is one too many.”
Cortez was a father of two and the son of a retired San Francisco firefighter. He was treated for critical injuries at the scene and transported to San Francisco General Hospital shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday. He died from his injuries less than an hour later.
Station No. 3, in the Tenderloin neighborhood, is regularly ranked one of the busiest in the country, often with up to 40 calls during a 24-hour shift.
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“If you looked at Jason at 3 in the afternoon or 3 in the morning, he had a positive attitude, smile on his face, excellent customer service,” Baxter said. “[He was] just a unique person to be on one of those engine companies, and just a uniquely genuine, nice person.”
According to the report, pressure from the hose could have been as high as 115 pounds per square inch. The San Francisco Police Department and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health are conducting independent investigations into Cortez’s death.
Several of Cortez’s colleagues accompanied his body in a procession from the hospital to the medical examiner’s office Wednesday. A GoFundMe account set up for his wife and children has already raised more than $240,000.


latimes--2020-10-12--California elections officials order GOP to immediately remove unofficial ballot boxes

California ’ s attorney general and chief elections officer on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to Republican Party officials demanding that they immediately stop using private ballot collection containers marked as “ official ” drop boxes , saying that the do-it-yourself containers that have appeared in several communities across the state are illegal .
Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla also demanded that GOP officials provide by Thursday a list of all voters whose ballots have been collected using the boxes to ensure the documents were collected with permission .
“ Let me be clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not permitted by state law , ” Padilla said in an online event with reporters .
“ Political parties and campaigns can engage in get-out-the-vote efforts , but they can not violate state law.
” A spokesman for the California Republican Party rejected the allegation of wrongdoing , insisting the practice is allowed under a 2016 state law that allows a voter to designate any person to collect a completed ballot and return it to election officials , a polling place or vote center , or a secure vote-by-mail drop box .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and leaders of both major political parties and a raft of accusations — none offered with any evidence — including an intent to tamper with votes and discrimination against informal ballot collections led by church congregations .
Questions were first raised over the weekend , when a Newport Beach Republican official posted a photo of himself on Twitter posing next to a metal delivery box , the size of an office filing cabinet , marked “ official ballot drop off box.
” The container was not , however , provided or overseen by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Direct message ] me for convenient locations to drop your ballot off , ” wrote Jordan Tygh , a regional field director for the California Republican Party .
Twitter has since taken down Tygh ’ s posting , replacing it with a note saying the message violated the company ’ s rules .
Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said it is unclear how many similar boxes are being used or their locations .
“ Voters who want to return their ballot at a drop box should only use official county drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Official ballot drop boxes are clearly recognizable , designed to meet state standards for security , and bear the official Orange County elections logo.
” A variety of other private collection boxes prompted complaints on social media over the weekend .
A box similar to the one that Tygh posed with was reported outside of a church in Castaic , and another was found outside of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley labeled “ Ballot Drop Box.
” Church officials declined to comment .
Photos from Fresno depicted a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ location ” that was not one provided by the county ’ s elections office .
And late last week , a list of locations sponsored by the Fresno County Republican Party showed a dozen ballot drop-off locations not authorized by elections officials , including gun shops and firing ranges .
Hector Barajas , a spokesman for the California Republican Party , said the Orange County box was one of several purchased by party officials .
But he would not specify how many boxes had been deployed or where .
Tygh , whose name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the website of congressional candidate and Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel , said he could not comment on his tweet because of an employment contract with the state GOP .
The Orange County District Attorney ’ s office is investigating the situation , said press information officer Kimberly Edds .
“ We ’ re still in our legal review , and we haven ’ t made a determination , but there are strict restrictions on what governs an official ballot box , ” she said .
State elections officials on Sunday said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A five-page memorandum sent to county elections offices from Jana Lean , chief of the secretary of state ’ s enforcement division , said the receptacles were not consistent with ballot collection rules .
“ County elections officials alone have the authority to designate the location , hours of operation , and number of drop boxes in the county , ” Lean wrote , “ and have the responsibility for ensuring compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations that guarantee the security and chain of custody of vote-by-mail ballots deposited.
” Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot collection effort on Twitter .
“ Nothing reeks of desperation quite like the Republican Party organization these days — willing to lie , cheat , and threaten our democracy all for the sake of gaining power , ” he wrote .
“ These unofficial drop boxes aren ’ t just misleading , they are illegal.
” In an election in which more than 21 million registered voters have been mailed a ballot , the proper procedures for casting and submitting an absentee ballot have taken on new urgency , alongside an array @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postal Service will deliver ballots on time to be counted .
Many Californians unfamiliar with the process will also be casting a vote by mail for the first time .
Every county offers voters locations to return a completed ballot , using heavy-duty and tightly locked drop boxes that must meet a variety of state-specific regulations .
Local elections officials mailed voters a list of these locations , along with the hours of operation for collection boxes inside businesses or other buildings , at the same time as sending out sample ballots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question replaced a previous rule limiting ballot delivery to a family member or someone living in the same household and explicitly prohibited collection by political parties and campaigns .
Republicans , in particular , have criticized the loosened process by mocking it as “ ballot harvesting.
” They unsuccessfully sued to block its use during the spring special election won by Rep. Mike Garcia ( R-Santa Clarita ) and now argue the statute makes their use of the private collection boxes legal .
“ In California , where you can have convicted felons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door to door and collect ballots from voters , Democrats are now upset because organizations , individuals and groups are offering an opportunity for their friends , family , and patrons to drop off their ballot with someone they know and trust , ” Barajas , the party spokesman , said in a statement .
“ The Democrat anger is overblown when state law allows organizations , volunteers or campaign workers to collect completed ballots and drop them off at polling places or election offices.
” The official ballot envelope still requires the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been authorized to return it for the voter .
While a ballot will be counted even if the person returning it isn ’ t identified , local elections officials could use that information to investigate any irregularities — concerns that would be less likely to arise if the ballot is placed in an official , county-provided drop box .

California election officials say that only county officials have the authority to designate collection locations.
California’s attorney general and chief elections officer on Monday sent a cease-and-desist letter to Republican Party officials demanding that they immediately stop using private ballot collection containers marked as “official” drop boxes, saying that the do-it-yourself containers that have appeared in several communities across the state are illegal.
Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla also demanded that GOP officials provide by Thursday a list of all voters whose ballots have been collected using the boxes to ensure the documents were collected with permission.
“Let me be clear, unofficial, unauthorized ballot drop boxes are not permitted by state law,” Padilla said in an online event with reporters. “Political parties and campaigns can engage in get-out-the-vote efforts, but they cannot violate state law.”
A spokesman for the California Republican Party rejected the allegation of wrongdoing, insisting the practice is allowed under a 2016 state law that allows a voter to designate any person to collect a completed ballot and return it to election officials, a polling place or vote center, or a secure vote-by-mail drop box.
The issue sparked angry exchanges between candidates and leaders of both major political parties and a raft of accusations — none offered with any evidence — including an intent to tamper with votes and discrimination against informal ballot collections led by church congregations.
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Questions were first raised over the weekend, when a Newport Beach Republican official posted a photo of himself on Twitter posing next to a metal delivery box, the size of an office filing cabinet, marked “official ballot drop off box.” The container was not, however, provided or overseen by Orange County elections officials.
“[Direct message] me for convenient locations to drop your ballot off,” wrote Jordan Tygh, a regional field director for the California Republican Party.
Twitter has since taken down Tygh’s posting, replacing it with a note saying the message violated the company’s rules.
Read the cease-and-desist letter California elections officials sent to the GOP Read the cease-and-desist letter California elections officials sent to the GOP
Orange County Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said it is unclear how many similar boxes are being used or their locations. “Voters who want to return their ballot at a drop box should only use official county drop boxes,” he said. “Official ballot drop boxes are clearly recognizable, designed to meet state standards for security, and bear the official Orange County elections logo.”
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A variety of other private collection boxes prompted complaints on social media over the weekend. A box similar to the one that Tygh posed with was reported outside of a church in Castaic, and another was found outside of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley labeled “Ballot Drop Box.” Church officials declined to comment.
Photos from Fresno depicted a sign promising a “secure ballot drop off location” that was not one provided by the county’s elections office. And late last week, a list of locations sponsored by the Fresno County Republican Party showed a dozen ballot drop-off locations not authorized by elections officials, including gun shops and firing ranges.
Hector Barajas, a spokesman for the California Republican Party, said the Orange County box was one of several purchased by party officials. But he would not specify how many boxes had been deployed or where.
Tygh, whose name appears on a list of supporters on the website of congressional candidate and Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, said he could not comment on his tweet because of an employment contract with the state GOP.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office is investigating the situation, said press information officer Kimberly Edds. “We’re still in our legal review, and we haven’t made a determination, but there are strict restrictions on what governs an official ballot box,” she said.
State elections officials on Sunday said the boxes are prohibited by California law. A five-page memorandum sent to county elections offices from Jana Lean, chief of the secretary of state’s enforcement division, said the receptacles were not consistent with ballot collection rules.
“County elections officials alone have the authority to designate the location, hours of operation, and number of drop boxes in the county,” Lean wrote, “and have the responsibility for ensuring compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations that guarantee the security and chain of custody of vote-by-mail ballots deposited.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom lashed out at the GOP ballot collection effort on Twitter.
“Nothing reeks of desperation quite like the Republican Party organization these days — willing to lie, cheat, and threaten our democracy all for the sake of gaining power,” he wrote. “These unofficial drop boxes aren’t just misleading, they are illegal.”
In an election in which more than 21 million registered voters have been mailed a ballot, the proper procedures for casting and submitting an absentee ballot have taken on new urgency, alongside an array of concerns about whether the U.S. Postal Service will deliver ballots on time to be counted. Many Californians unfamiliar with the process will also be casting a vote by mail for the first time.
Every county offers voters locations to return a completed ballot, using heavy-duty and tightly locked drop boxes that must meet a variety of state-specific regulations. Local elections officials mailed voters a list of these locations, along with the hours of operation for collection boxes inside businesses or other buildings, at the same time as sending out sample ballots and voter guides.
The state law in question replaced a previous rule limiting ballot delivery to a family member or someone living in the same household and explicitly prohibited collection by political parties and campaigns. Republicans, in particular, have criticized the loosened process by mocking it as “ballot harvesting.” They unsuccessfully sued to block its use during the spring special election won by Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Santa Clarita) and now argue the statute makes their use of the private collection boxes legal.
“In California, where you can have convicted felons and individuals with a criminal history go door to door and collect ballots from voters, Democrats are now upset because organizations, individuals and groups are offering an opportunity for their friends, family, and patrons to drop off their ballot with someone they know and trust,” Barajas, the party spokesman, said in a statement. “The Democrat anger is overblown when state law allows organizations, volunteers or campaign workers to collect completed ballots and drop them off at polling places or election offices.”
The official ballot envelope still requires the name and signature of the person who has been authorized to return it for the voter. While a ballot will be counted even if the person returning it isn’t identified, local elections officials could use that information to investigate any irregularities — concerns that would be less likely to arise if the ballot is placed in an official, county-provided drop box.


latimes--2020-10-12--PG&E warns of power outages as high winds, extreme heat roll into Northern California

Fierce Diablo winds are expected to kick up in Northern California this week , bringing an increased fire risk to the burn-scarred region and prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to prepare for potential power shutoffs in parts of 43 counties , utility officials warned .
A swath of the Sierra Nevada reaching as far south as the Santa Cruz mountains could see power outages beginning Wednesday , according to PG & E .
Two dangerous wind events are expected this week — the first starting Wednesday afternoon or evening and stretching into Thursday morning and the second developing Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasters said .
On Monday morning , the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for late Tuesday through Friday morning , predicting the strongest gusts from the first wind event would hit overnight Wednesday into Thursday .
The greatest threat is in the mountains of northeastern Napa and Sonoma counties , where the destructive Glass fire is still raging , according to the weather service .
“ Any fires that start will likely spread rapidly due to a combination of dry fuels , breezy northerly winds and low humidity , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winds , PG & E announced that power could be shut off Wednesday through Friday to parts of the following counties : Butte , Colusa , Glenn , Humboldt , Lassen , Plumas , Shasta , Siskiyou , Tehama , Trinity , Alpine , Amador , Calaveras , El Dorado , Nevada , Placer , Sacramento , Sierra and Yuba .
Portions of 24 other counties — Lake , Marin , Mendocino , Napa , San Francisco , San Mateo , Santa Clara , Santa Cruz , Solano , Sonoma , Alameda , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joaquin , Stanislaus , Trinity , Yolo , Fresno , Inyo , Kern , Madera , Mariposa , Tulare and Tuolumne — could experience shutoffs for a shorter span , utility officials said .
The shutoffs likely will not affect entire counties , PG & E said , noting that widespread outages in the Bay Area are not anticipated .
The agency says the areas with the highest probability for shutoffs are the northern Sierra foothills ; the mid and higher elevations of the Sierra , generally north of Yosemite ; the northern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helena ; small pockets in the east Bay Area near Mt .
Diablo ; the Oakland Hills east of Piedmont ; the elevated terrain east of Milpitas around Calaveras Reservoir ; and parts of the Santa Cruz and Big Sur mountains .
The utility giant has agreed to pay $ 25.5 billion to settle damage claims from an earlier series of deadly fires blamed on its equipment and pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter over the 2018 Camp fire in Northern California , the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations and place a greater focus on safety in an effort to avoid sparking another catastrophic fire .
But it is now under scrutiny for its potential involvement in the deadly Zogg fire .
California investigators are looking at the company ’ s equipment as a possible cause of the blaze , which has killed four people and burned more than 56,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada .
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has taken some of the utility ’ s equipment in its investigation , PG & E said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Exchange Commission .
The utility filed a preliminary report on the incident with state regulators and said in a statement that it was cooperating with investigators .
Cal Fire has yet to determine the cause of the blaze .
Temperatures are expected to climb throughout the week across the state , with some parts of the Central Valley nearing record highs , according to the National Weather Service .
Dry winds gusting up to 30 mph are expected to sweep across the Sacramento Valley starting Monday .
“ A warming and drying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high pressure builds in across the state , ” PG & E officials said in a statement , estimating gusts at or above 50 mph in the mountains of the north Bay Area and the northern Sierra .
Northern California has been scorched by historic wildfires this year , with already burned .
The August Complex , the biggest fire in state history , is still burning in the Mendocino National Forest , with 75 % containment as of Monday morning , according to Cal Fire .
Parts of the region are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above-average temperatures and windy conditions .
Air quality alerts remain in effect throughout the San Joaquin Valley and across Central California due to nearby wildfires , the National Weather Service ’ s forecast center in Hanford reported .
National Weather Service meteorologist David King said the winds were building in the northeast and blowing offshore , leaving warm temperatures and dried fuel in their wake .
The winds are expected to be strongest at high elevations in the North Bay Mountains , the East Bay Hills and the Santa Cruz Mountains , King @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see winds that will make it down to the valleys , but it won ’ t be very strong or in excess , ” he said .
“ Where you get the high fire concerns are when you have high winds in place .
That ’ s really going to remain right now in the higher elevations.
” Temperatures in the Los Angeles area are expected to reach sweltering highs this week , too , with areas of the San Fernando Valley nearing 100 degrees .
Beaches will hover in the 80s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A heat advisory for much of the region is expected to go into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and continue until 5 p.m. Friday , according to the weather service .
“ It ’ s just going to be hot and dry , not our usual morning low clouds and fog , ” Wofford said .

Fierce Diablo winds are expected to kick up in Northern California this week, bringing an increased fire risk to the burn-scarred region and prompting Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to prepare for potential power shutoffs in parts of 43 counties, utility officials warned.
A swath of the Sierra Nevada reaching as far south as the Santa Cruz mountains could see power outages beginning Wednesday, according to PG&E.
Two dangerous wind events are expected this week — the first starting Wednesday afternoon or evening and stretching into Thursday morning and the second developing Thursday evening and running through Friday morning, forecasters said.
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On Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for late Tuesday through Friday morning, predicting the strongest gusts from the first wind event would hit overnight Wednesday into Thursday. The greatest threat is in the mountains of northeastern Napa and Sonoma counties, where the destructive Glass fire is still raging, according to the weather service.
“Any fires that start will likely spread rapidly due to a combination of dry fuels, breezy northerly winds and low humidity,” forecasters said.
In anticipation of the winds, PG&E announced that power could be shut off Wednesday through Friday to parts of the following counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Trinity, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra and Yuba.
Portions of 24 other counties — Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Trinity, Yolo, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Tulare and Tuolumne — could experience shutoffs for a shorter span, utility officials said.
The shutoffs likely will not affect entire counties, PG&E said, noting that widespread outages in the Bay Area are not anticipated.
The agency says the areas with the highest probability for shutoffs are the northern Sierra foothills; the mid and higher elevations of the Sierra, generally north of Yosemite; the northern Bay Area mountains near Mt. St. Helena; small pockets in the east Bay Area near Mt. Diablo; the Oakland Hills east of Piedmont; the elevated terrain east of Milpitas around Calaveras Reservoir; and parts of the Santa Cruz and Big Sur mountains.
Business PG&E equipment suspected as cause of deadly Zogg fire PG&E said California investigators were looking at its equipment as a possible cause of a fire that killed four people and burned more than 56,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
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The utility giant has agreed to pay $25.5 billion to settle damage claims from an earlier series of deadly fires blamed on its equipment and pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter over the 2018 Camp fire in Northern California, the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.
The company has vowed to overhaul its operations and place a greater focus on safety in an effort to avoid sparking another catastrophic fire. But it is now under scrutiny for its potential involvement in the deadly Zogg fire. California investigators are looking at the company’s equipment as a possible cause of the blaze, which has killed four people and burned more than 56,000 acres in the Sierra Nevada.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has taken some of the utility’s equipment in its investigation, PG&E said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The utility filed a preliminary report on the incident with state regulators and said in a statement that it was cooperating with investigators. Cal Fire has yet to determine the cause of the blaze.
California Southern California braces for another heat wave this week After a brief reprieve of cool temperatures over the weekend, Southern California is expected to get hit with another heat wave this week that could bring periods of elevated fire risk, according to forecasters.
Temperatures are expected to climb throughout the week across the state, with some parts of the Central Valley nearing record highs, according to the National Weather Service. Dry winds gusting up to 30 mph are expected to sweep across the Sacramento Valley starting Monday.
“A warming and drying trend will then take place this week as high pressure builds in across the state,” PG&E officials said in a statement, estimating gusts at or above 50 mph in the mountains of the north Bay Area and the northern Sierra.
Northern California has been scorched by historic wildfires this year, with 4 million acres already burned. The August Complex, the biggest fire in state history, is still burning in the Mendocino National Forest, with 75% containment as of Monday morning, according to Cal Fire.
Parts of the region are already under an elevated fire risk with above-average temperatures and windy conditions. Air quality alerts remain in effect throughout the San Joaquin Valley and across Central California due to nearby wildfires, the National Weather Service’s forecast center in Hanford reported.
National Weather Service meteorologist David King said the winds were building in the northeast and blowing offshore, leaving warm temperatures and dried fuel in their wake. The winds are expected to be strongest at high elevations in the North Bay Mountains, the East Bay Hills and the Santa Cruz Mountains, King said.
“We’ll still see winds that will make it down to the valleys, but it won’t be very strong or in excess,” he said. “Where you get the high fire concerns are when you have high winds in place. That’s really going to remain right now in the higher elevations.”
Temperatures in the Los Angeles area are expected to reach sweltering highs this week, too, with areas of the San Fernando Valley nearing 100 degrees. Beaches will hover in the 80s, weather service meteorologist Mike Wofford said. A heat advisory for much of the region is expected to go into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and continue until 5 p.m. Friday, according to the weather service.
“It’s just going to be hot and dry, not our usual morning low clouds and fog,” Wofford said.


latimes--2020-10-12--At least 76 arrested in downtown L.A. following Lakers' championship win

At least 76 people were arrested in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night following the Lakers ’ NBA championship win , marking the latest confrontation between LAPD officers and a large street crowd in a year already shaped by mass protests .
The Los Angeles Police Department said the arrests included suspicion of vandalism , unlawful assembly and failure to disperse after a crowd of more than 2,000 converged near Staples Center following the team ’ s 106-93 win against the Miami Heat in Orlando , Fla. , its 17th NBA championship title .
Chants of “ Kobe , Kobe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Lakers great Kobe Bryant , who died in a helicopter crash in January .
But the celebratory mood quickly soured as the scene devolved into another roving standoff between police in riot gear and throngs of people on the street — some without masks despite the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Again , social media lit up with videos of police on skirmish lines driving crowds of people along L.A. streets , at times by firing hard foam projectiles at them .
Footage captured flash-bang firecrackers and bottles being lobbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police .
There was an MTA bus taken over and people doing burnouts in the street , sending rubber flying .
Instead of protesters demanding justice and denouncing police brutality , as was seen during huge demonstrations this summer , it was sports fans in happy — and in some instances drunken and destructive — revelry , sour at police for halting their fun and angry at the force being used to do it .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore took to Twitter to urge fans to “ celebrate responsibly , ” but reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the night wore on , including about the Metro bus that was briefly set ablaze and a Starbucks that was ransacked near 9th and Flower streets .
By Monday morning , the Starbucks was partially boarded up , and cleaning crews were out power-washing sidewalks and scrubbing graffiti off walls .
Among more obscure scrawling on windows , parking signs and the streets themselves were anti-police messages and more remembrances of Bryant .
Much of the damage was around Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street , a short distance from Staples Center .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , writing on Twitter that L.A. is “ thrilled ” with the win and “ grateful ” to those who celebrated at home .
“ Remember that gathering in big groups is still unsafe , ” Garcetti wrote .
“ Vandalism of businesses and public places , and causing harm to our officers will not be tolerated.
” Steve Soboroff , a member of the civilian Police Commission that oversees the LAPD , also tweeted , writing that `` # realLakerfans ” don ’ t vandalize stores or attack police officers .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Soboroff wrote .
Neither official acknowledged the members of the crowd who were wounded by police .
Fans said the celebration turned violent when police responded by firing hard foam and plastic projectiles at throngs of people after bottles and other items were thrown by the crowd .
The LAPD confirmed that at least three people were injured by “ less lethal munitions ” and were taken to area hospitals .
Eight officers were also injured and received medical treatment , and more than 30 buildings and establishments were damaged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports appeared to show police firing projectiles .
In one video , a man screamed at police to help a woman who he said had been shot by one of their rounds .
In another , a reporter captured an officer firing a projectile right at him , knocking the camera phone from his hands .
The California Highway Patrol closed the Pico Boulevard and 9th Street offramps from the 110 Freeway , as well as the Pico Boulevard offramp from the 10 Freeway , until shortly after 1 a.m. LAPD Deputy Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bureau that includes downtown L.A. , said “ it was disappointing to see ” so many revelers descend on downtown .
“ With COVID , we were hoping people would stay home.
” Palazzolo said stores were vandalized and scooters were strewn across streets when he left downtown around 4 a.m. “ The place was a mess , ” he said .
He noted police have already gathered some images of crimes being committed , including the MTA bus being set on fire , and will be putting out photographs and asking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not the first time a Lakers ’ victory has resulted in unrest : Rowdy fans , violence and property damage occurred after the team ’ s wins in 2000 , 2009 and 2010 , and the department made dozens of arrests in the aftermath .
Palazzolo said the department tried to act swiftly Sunday to avoid a repeat of the past , and that more than 300 police officers were deployed after the final buzzer declared the Lakers champions .
Fans said the celebration did not warrant what they viewed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of champagne bottles being thrown , fireworks , cars doing doughnuts and a procession of high-octane cars and trucks moving through downtown .
A multimedia journalist for L.A. TACO captured at least one instance in which a young man who confronted officers near a street corner was pushed by an officer to the ground .
The man seemingly lost consciousness as his head and body fell back onto the sidewalk .
He lay there motionless , while other people attempted to revive him and eventually dragged him away .
During a news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health officer , Dr. Muntu Davis , reminded Lakers fans that a championship victory should not supersede COVID-19 health guidelines .
“ There always is that concern that people will gather , and I want to remind people we ’ re still in the middle of a pandemic .
We ’ re still seeing a high number of cases , ” Davis said .
The team returned to Los Angeles Monday after more than three months of living in an isolated “ bubble ” near Orlando to prevent the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically commemorates major sports wins probably will not happen this year due to COVID-19 concerns .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday some of the images coming out of Los Angeles after the game were of “ obvious concern as it relates to the transmission of the virus ” and urged fans to celebrate responsibly .
“ We ask people to be cautious , to be mindful , as they celebrate this historic victory , and celebrate one of the greatest basketball players that has ever lived , LeBron James , ” Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crowd did appear to wear face masks in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines , but the LAPD ’ s attempts to make people follow other rules fell flat .
At least one person was hospitalized after a firework exploded in his hand .
“ We were hoping for better , ” Palazzolo said , “ but based on the previous championship , we were ready.
” The events , however , revived questions about LAPD crowd control tactics after a summer of clashes between police and protesters .
The LAPD was already facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles and other activists and protesters over its use of projectiles during the summer protests .
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to block any future use of the weapons on crowds , and their use Sunday night could bolster their claims that such force is an ongoing threat to those who choose to gather in crowds in L.A. Sunday ’ s events also raised new fiscal questions for the department given the $ 150-million cut to the LAPD budget this year — which was predicated largely on the idea that the savings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t immediately clear what the financial cost to the department was on Monday .
Given the reduction to its multibillion-dollar budget , the LAPD has slashed overtime spending dramatically this year — but emergencies that draw them out in force undercut that approach .
On Sunday night , the LAPD was on tactical alert — drawing officers from around the city to the area around Staples Center — for five hours .
Capt .
Stacy Spell , an LAPD spokesman , said Monday morning that it was “ much too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was spent Sunday night , in part because the tactical alert would have redirected officers already on duty away from low-priority calls elsewhere in the city to the downtown area , while others who responded would have been working overtime — and it will take time to discern between the two .
On Monday morning , Joanna Cotton and her family arrived in downtown L.A. after a road trip from San Diego , wanting to take in the team ’ s victory after a difficult year .
Cotton had cried the night before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ win was what she needed amid the worst of 2020 .
“ It gives you a reason to exhale , ” she said .
“ You got a glimpse of some normalcy.
” “ It gave you a chance to put your guard down for a minute , ” said her daughter Brittany Cotton , 30 .
They drove up Monday even though they knew there wouldn ’ t be the traditional victory parade , given the pandemic .
About 10 a.m. , they walked to Staples Center and glanced at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Neal , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson .
Joanna Cotton said the aftermath of the night before — still apparent in damaged storefronts — was a “ shame.
” Still , the victory was sweet .
“ The way the boys played , that was Lakers basketball , ” she said .
“ We ’ re back .
”

Hayley Smith, Richard Winton, Kevin Rector, Ruben Vives

At least 76 people were arrested in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday night following the Lakers’ NBA championship win, marking the latest confrontation between LAPD officers and a large street crowd in a year already shaped by mass protests.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the alleged activities included vandalism, unlawful assembly and failure to disperse after a crowd of more than 2,000 converged near Staples Center following the team’s 106-93 win against the Miami Heat in Orlando, Fla., its 17th NBA championship title.
Chants of “Kobe, Kobe” were heard as fans paid tribute to Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in January. But the celebratory mood quickly soured as the scene devolved into another roving standoff between police in riot gear and throngs of people on the street — some without masks despite the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Again, social media lit up with videos of police on skirmish lines driving crowds of people along L.A. streets, at times by firing hard foam projectiles at them. Footage captured flash-bang firecrackers and bottles being lobbed through the air in the direction of police. There was an MTA bus taken over and people doing burnouts in the street, sending rubber flying.
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Fans gather near Staples Center on Sunday to celebrate the Lakers’ 106-93 victory over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Instead of protesters demanding justice and denouncing police brutality, as was seen during huge demonstrations this summer, it was sports fans in happy — and in some instances drunken and destructive — revelry, sour at police for halting their fun and angry at the force being used to do it.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore took to Twitter to urge fans to “celebrate responsibly,” but reports of vandalism and firecrackers began pouring in as the night wore on, including about the Metro bus that was briefly set ablaze and a Starbucks that was ransacked near 9th and Flower streets.
By Monday morning, the Starbucks was partially boarded up, and cleaning crews were out power-washing sidewalks and scrubbing graffiti off walls. Among more obscure scrawling on windows, parking signs and the streets themselves were anti-police messages and more remembrances of Bryant. Much of the damage was around Olympic Boulevard and Hope Street, a short distance from Staples Center.
Mayor Eric Garcetti weighed in Monday afternoon, writing on Twitter that L.A. is “thrilled” with the win and “grateful” to those who celebrated at home.
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“Remember that gathering in big groups is still unsafe,” Garcetti wrote. “Vandalism of businesses and public places, and causing harm to our officers will not be tolerated.”
Steve Soboroff, a member of the civilian Police Commission that oversees the LAPD, also tweeted, writing that “#realLakerfans” don’t vandalize stores or attack police officers. “Disrespectful to @Lakers past and present,” Soboroff wrote.
Neither official acknowledged the members of the crowd who were wounded by police.
Fans said the celebration turned violent when police responded by firing hard foam and plastic projectiles at throngs of people after bottles and other items were thrown by the crowd.
The LAPD confirmed that at least three people were injured by “less lethal munitions” and were taken to area hospitals. Eight officers were also injured and received medical treatment, and more than 30 buildings and establishments were damaged, the department said.
Multiple social media reports appeared to show police firing projectiles. In one video, a man screamed at police to help a woman who he said had been shot by one of their rounds. In another, a reporter captured an officer firing a projectile right at him, knocking the camera phone from his hands.
Things have turned sour down here at Staples Center. LAPD is firing rubber bullets. #LakeShow fans started turning on police after they arrested a man in a Kobe jersey. pic.twitter.com/YK9wd0iAdW — dylan stewart (@dylanstw__) October 12, 2020
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The California Highway Patrol closed the Pico Boulevard and 9th Street offramps from the 110 Freeway, as well as the Pico Boulevard offramp from the 10 Freeway, until shortly after 1 a.m.
LAPD Deputy Chief Vito Palazzolo, who oversees the Central Bureau, which includes downtown L.A., said “it was disappointing to see” so many revelers descend on downtown.
“With COVID, we were hoping people would stay home.”
Palazzolo said stores were vandalized and scooters were strewn across streets when he left downtown around 4 a.m.
“The place was a mess,” he said.
A man holds up a Kobe Bryant Boulevard sign as fans celebrate after the Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
He noted police have already gathered some images of crimes being committed, including the MTA bus being set on fire, and will be putting out photographs and asking the public for help identifying suspects.
It’s not the first time a Lakers victory has resulted in unrest: Rowdy fans, violence and property damage occurred after the team’s wins in 2000, 2009 and 2010, and the department made dozens of arrests in the aftermath.
Palazzolo said that the department tried to act swiftly Sunday to avoid a repeat of the past, and that more than 300 police officers were deployed after the final buzzer declared the Lakers champions.
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Fans said the celebration did not warrant what they viewed as a violent response from the LAPD, regardless of champagne bottles being thrown, fireworks, cars doing doughnuts and a procession of high-octane cars and trucks moving through downtown.
A multimedia journalist for L.A. TACO captured at least one instance in which a young man who confronted officers near a street corner was pushed by an officer to the ground. The man seemingly lost consciousness as his head and body fell back onto the sidewalk. He lay there motionless, while other people attempted to revive him and eventually dragged him away.
A LAPD officer pushes a young man to the ground on the corner of 9th and Flower. @LATACO pic.twitter.com/88xaWxM23n — Lexis-Olivier Ray (@ShotOn35mm) October 12, 2020
During a news briefing last week, L.A. County‘s health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, reminded Lakers fans that a championship victory should not supersede COVID-19 health guidelines.
“There always is that concern that people will gather, and I want to remind people we’re still in the middle of a pandemic. We’re still seeing a high number of cases,” Davis said.
The team returned to Los Angeles Monday after more than three months of living in an isolated “bubble” near Orlando to prevent the spread of the virus, but the victory parade that typically commemorates major sports wins probably will not happen this year due to COVID-19 concerns.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday some of the images coming out of Los Angeles after the game were of “obvious concern as it relates to the transmission of the virus” and urged fans to celebrate responsibly.
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“We ask people to be cautious, to be mindful, as they celebrate this historic victory, and celebrate one of the greatest basketball players that has ever lived, LeBron James,” Newsom said.
The majority of people in the crowd did appear to wear face masks in compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, but the LAPD’s attempts to make people follow other rules fell flat. At least one person was hospitalized after a firework exploded in his hand.
“We were hoping for better,” Palazzolo said, “but based on the previous championship, we were ready.”
The events, however, revived questions about LAPD crowd control tactics after a summer of clashes between police and protesters.
Fans gather near Staples Center to celebrate the Lakers’ NBA Finals win over the Miami Heat on Sunday.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
The LAPD was already facing a major lawsuit from Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles and other activists and protesters over its use of projectiles during the summer protests. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to block any future use of the weapons on crowds, and their use Sunday night could bolster their claims that such force is an ongoing threat to those who choose to gather in crowds in L.A.
Sunday’s events also raised new fiscal questions for the department given the $150-million cut to the LAPD budget this year — which was predicated largely on the idea that the savings would be secured through overtime reductions.
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It wasn’t immediately clear what the financial cost to the department was on Monday. Given the reduction to its multibillion-dollar budget, the LAPD has slashed overtime spending dramatically this year — but emergencies that draw officers out in force undercut that approach.
On Sunday night, the LAPD was on tactical alert — drawing officers from around the city to the area around Staples Center — for five hours.
Fans gather near Staples Center to celebrate after the Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Capt. Stacy Spell, an LAPD spokesman, said Monday morning that it was “much too early to tell” how much overtime was spent Sunday night, in part because the tactical alert would have redirected officers already on duty away from low-priority calls elsewhere in the city to the downtown area, while others who responded would have been working overtime — and it will take time to discern between the two.
On Monday morning, Joanna Cotton and her family arrived in downtown L.A. after a road trip from San Diego, wanting to take in the team’s victory after a difficult year. Cotton had cried the night before, thinking of Bryant. The Lakers’ win was what she needed amid the worst of 2020.
“It gives you a reason to exhale,” she said. “You got a glimpse of some normalcy.”
“It gave you a chance to put your guard down for a minute,” said her daughter Brittany Cotton, 30.
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A man walks by broken windows at a Jersey Mike’s near Staples Center after Sunday night’s Lakers celebration. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
They drove up Monday even though they knew there wouldn’t be the traditional victory parade, given the pandemic. About 10 a.m., they walked to Staples Center and glanced at the bronze statues of former Lakers stars Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson.
Joanna Cotton said the aftermath of the night before — still apparent in damaged storefronts — was a “shame.”
Still, the victory was sweet.
“The way the boys played, that was Lakers basketball,” she said. “We’re back.”