HOT Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Monday

In the aftermath of the latest Act of Terrorism targeting Law Enforcement Officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck have reversed an earlier Policy Directive, by returning new (and other) METRO Officers to local Divisional Patrol Duties.

LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck.

** In the wake of the latest Terrorist-like Ambush of Law Enforcement Officers yesterday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, LAPD Charlie Beck, with the concurrence of LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, has initiated a "Policy 180" by ordering newly-assigned (and other) METRO Officers to reinforce Divisional Patrol Officers. 

The directive via the embattled Top Cop of the LAPD, includes increased Helicopter Patrols and the enhanced vetting of 911 Calls, in addition to reinforcing Patrol resources. Previously, Chief Beck and Mayor Garcetti's Directive to increase the size of the METRO Unit, in response to the rising, violent crime rate, was met with concerns regarding the redeployment's impact on community policing initiatives and staffing of Divisional Patrol Units.  

** The Los Angeles Police Protective League issued the following Statement regarding yesterday's Act of Terrorism/Ambush, targeting Baton Rough Law Enforcement Officers.

Los Angeles, CA—Our prayers and deepest sympathies go to the families and friends of the Baton Rouge police officers and sheriff’s deputies who were ambushed and murdered this morning. We also pray for the recovery of the surviving officers. To the men and women of the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s office, we mourn with you.To the civic leaders of our nation, the platitudes and “rhetorical support” for law enforcement must end and be replaced with action. Our police officers deserve your strongest support and undivided attention. Now that ten law enforcement officers have been murdered in ten days, what will you do to keep our communities safe? We need your actions, not your words.To the anti-police activists, whose apparent sole focus is to lay blame for all the ills of society on those who wear a law enforcement uniform, save your statement of “condolence” to the families of these slain officers unless it is accompanied by the same level of outrage and contempt exhibited after recent officer involved shootings. Anything less would be hypocritical.In just over one week’s time, this nation has seen its law enforcement officers targeted, hunted and murdered again. We cannot keep our neighborhoods safe if the men and women we ask to protect our communities face ambush around any potential street corner. These officers paid the ultimate sacrifice for simply doing their job. The families of police officers are living in fear each day their loved ones don their uniform and reports for duty. This must end.

**  Excerpt from Mayor Eric Garcetti's Official Statement regarding yesterday's Act of Terrorism/Ambush targeting Baton Rouge Law Enforcement.

"This violence against police officers undermines our democracy. Today, we are adding resources to make sure that our Los Angeles Police Department and other public safety agencies are supported. This includes increasing our air assets, shifting Metropolitan Division officers to a role of force protection to help back up patrol officers responding to calls for service, and adding additional resources to help screen our 911 calls. Please do all you can to support and thank our officers and their families today and every day."Our collective voice must rise up to condemn this latest shooting in what is unfortunately becoming a horrifying trend.

** Lastly, we post the following News Release from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) with attached Photo of deceased Baton Rouge Police Officer Montrell Jackson.

We join in solidarity with law enforcement officials and agencies throughout our country in condemning in the strongest possible terms the attack on peace officers in Baton Rouge this morning. While we do not yet know, let alone begin to understand the circumstances surrounding the killing and wounding of these police officers, we know that violence directed at the very men and women sworn to uphold the rule of law undermines our society and threatens our freedom. The time is now for America to pull together to find solutions to these senseless assaults on law enforcement. We end our statement with the Facebook post of Montrell Jackson, one of the three slain Baton Rouge police officers.  He leaves behind a wife and four-month-old son:

 Deceased Baton Rouge Police Officer Montrell Jackson with Infant Child.

Our Prayers and Thoughts are with ALL within the Greater Law Enforcement Family.

Scott Johnson in CD 14

  

Morning Briefs on the Internal Dysfunctional LAPD Machine for Wednesday

As the Police Protective League takes LAPD Chief Charlie Beck to task over his Deployment of Officers and the ensuing disinformation on the rise of Violent Crimes in the City of Los Angeles, retire State of California Parole Officer Caroline Aguirre in a CityWatch LA Exclusive, discloses another "dubious" allocation of department rank and file personal.

Its GOOD to be LAPD Chief Charlie Beck (especially when the wife is not lurking, allegedly).

Blogger's Note: Its a truism that the positive perception of any municipality is rooted in the professional reputation of its Public Safety Departments (Police and Fire) and judging from recent missives directed at LAPD Charlie Beck (and his civilian overseers), perception is becoming reality that a crisis of leadership exists, that coincides with an increasing (and misreported) Crime Rate.

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Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

The Villar Greuel gets whacked at Sherman Oaks Mayoral Forum while receiving the Endorsement of LAPD's PPL Union.

What did the PPL Endorsement along with IBEW's Boss D'Arcy, do for the political aspirations of the Villar Greuel's friend Chris Essel?

Coming soon to a LA mayoral campaign candidate forum near you, “The Villar Greuel Pinata”.

Judging from last night’s Sherman Oaks Mayoral Forum, the trio of Jan Perry, Eric Garcetti and Kevin James (excluding Villar Greuel’s running mate Emanuel Pleitez), will in the weeks ahead, used their verbal pinata sticks to whack at the multiple political fallacies of the former republican, turned opportunistcrat, now the anointed successor to the Mayor Villar Political Machine.

But as most political observers will agree, it will take multiple whacks at the Villar Greuel Pinata before it falls apart, the endorsement of LAPD’s rank and file PPL Union will help protect the interest of the Villar Greuel in the short term, but recent political history shows that PPL’s endorsement of the Villar Greuel’s friend Chris Essel, along with IBEW, amounted to a major then Assemblyman Paul Krekorian victory.

Another dire indicator for the Villar Greuel Campaign, is an ABC 7 Poll that shows Kevin James as the only upwards trending mayoral candidate, gaining ground on the second place Villar Greuel. We can expect the Villar Greuel to become more pronounce in her strident attacks on James in an attempt to ward off his growing momentum in the days ahead, but that will run counter to more reports on “Calendergate“, as noted with today‘s Daily News story.

** The Los Angeles Dragnet Blog continues its follow-along coverage of our Mayor Sam Exclusive into questionable donations by official and associates of Bet Tzedek, to the City Attorney Campaign of its former Executive Director Assemblyman Mike Feuer. The Feuer Campaign finally commented on the record to the Metropolitan Press-Enterprise, while attacking the Greg Smith Campaign for having the temerity to broach the subject at Monday‘s night City Attorney Candidate Forum at Temple Israel in Hollywood.

“The donations identified in the blog are lawful.  Although not addressed in the blog, one contribution was made in error and returned.  Anyone who tries to score cheap political points at the expense of the poor, the elderly, Holocaust survivors and disabled people who are Bet Tzedek’s clients should be ashamed.”

** The same ABC 7 poll reference above in our mayoral coverage, also showed current City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, holding a lead over Feuer, Smith and fourth candidate Noel Weiss-Hahn.

In the election for city attorney of Los Angeles, the poll finds incumbent Carmen Trutanich edging Assemblyman Mike Feuer, 27 percent to 21 percent.Greg Smith trails in third with 14 percent and Noel Weiss takes 10 percent.

** As longtime Mayor Villar staffer and now CD 13 City Council Candidate Matt Szabo, garners the endorsement (of political death?) of his boss, voters in CD 13 would be wise to read the comments of Robert Guevara at the bottom on the linked report.

Your thoughts …………..
Scott Johnson in CD 14

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Thursday

Late Thursday A.M. greetings as the fog of NyQuil dissipates among the dwindling coughs/aches of a virus running its course. Somewhere among the voices in my semi-conscious state (ie. talk radio playing as I drifted in and out of sleep the last few days), I heard someone who was pleading now for more transit tax money to become the Henry Huntington of the 21st Century Los Angeles. Memory and Google reminds me that this same City Terrace native has invited us to dream with him some years past (and before the reality of a Telebimbo Affair diminished his political star appeal) of a better Angelino tomorrow, with opportunities for all .... (my rich friends such as Eli, Keith, Ari and labor soul sister Maria Elena). But entering the mid-life of year 2012 , the only dream of many Angelinos is that they can close their eyes and blink away six plus years of fail leadership that has a city looking ahead to better days in 2013. And what of Mayor Villar's call to all to fast -forward his latest and last grasps at a legacy? Monica Garcia's LAUSD will not have enough time to dumb down two-thirds of voters by November.

For voters in the newly created 46th Assembly District, we bring you the latest Laurette "the always-changing candidate" Healey. Activity Sheet via "Laurette Watch". Take the challenge to gauge your political I.Q. and things and political incarnations of a former republican, turned into whatever political incarnation that can win public office (none so far). Via the "Gatto Truthers" at the Burbank Blog, we link to this video of a recent 46th AD Candidate Forum hosted by VICA.

Your thoughts ...............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

Joe Buscaino picks up Police Protective League endorsement in CD 15 Special Election

Joe Buscaino

In a major boost to the grassroots efforts of the Joe Buscaino for City Council Campaign, the Police Protective League endorsed one of its own in the CD 15 Special Election.

The following statement from PPL President Paul Weber.

“Joe Buscaino has dedicated his life to serving the community and protecting the public’s safety. As a life-long resident of the 15th City Council district with 15 years of experience as a Los Angeles police officer, Joe is a fresh face to politics…[He] will bring an extreme amount of talent and energy and will always remember his roots when fighting for his constituents. His non-partisan approach will allow him to find effective solutions to the City’s complex problems.”

The PPL endorsement solidifies Buscaino as one of the top tier candidates to replace Janice Hahn.

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14