On May 22, 2013 the Los Angeles City Attorney issued an interoffice memorandum regarding revised filing guidelines for direct citations.The memorandum lists crimes that may be filed as misdemeanor or infraction offenses (wobblers or wobblettes) and states that “all violations on the list that are cited on a written notice to appear without an accompanying narrative shall be deemed infractions.” Further, it states that the law enforcement agency “should also include a brief statement of the reason that the charge should be prosecuted as a misdemeanor,” when the law enforcement agency seeks that one of the listed crimes be prosecuted as such.
On July 25, 2013 in response to this memorandum, the Los Angeles Police Department distributed a similar memorandum to its commanding officers which omitted the emphasized “without an accompanying narrative” that appears foremost in the City Attorney’s memo.
This discrepancy makes it easy for the reader to assume that discretion is taken away both from the officer and the prosecuting attorney in pursuing misdemeanor criminal charges when they are warranted.This was evidenced both in media coverage of these memoranda that reported that the Los Angeles Police Department had reclassified misdemeanors as infractions, and from the reaction to said coverage by concerned stakeholders.
Due to the confusion caused by this difference in wording between the two memorandum in the community, and the very likely outcome that upon reading the LAPD notice officers will deem all listed wobblettes as infractions, as well as the serious impacts the crimes listed have on our communities, it is important to consider these memorandum further.
Today, I drafted a motion to the City Council asking that the LAPD be requested to delay implementation of its July 25th memorandum until the policy change can be reviewed by the Police Commission and the Public Safety Committee.
In addition, I will ask that the LAPD and the City Attorney report back to the Public Safety Committee with an in depth analysis of the their respective memorandum, including the rationale for the change being recommended for each crime listed, the number of citations and the resulting court outcomes for each crime listed, anticipated impacts if any from the changed guidelines, and a history of how crimes that may be filed as misdemeanor or infraction offenses are cited and prosecuted.
Update: Allowing for Online Filing of Police Reports
On Tuesday, I was pleased that the Los Angeles Police Commission, which oversees the Los Angeles Police Department, allowed the department to proceed with a plan I proposed in February to shift some nonviolent crime reporting online, as well as shift requests for copies of police reports to an online filing system.
Currently filing a police report has been a very time consuming task both for the public and the police. Moving to a web-based system will not only increase efficiency at the Police Department, but it will also make filing a report more convenient for citizens. Rather than having to call the LAPD and wait for officers to respond to minor infractions, citizens can get online and file a report themselves.
The Police Department’s website offers a great deal of important information such as crime mapping and submitting anonymous tips, but it has not provided a way for the public to file police reports electronically. This motion will allow the public to file their own reports and give them better access to police services.
Under the plan, the City will contract with one of a handful of software companies that currently offer online police reporting systems. The selected company will integrate the online component into LAPD’s existing tracking systems.
Click here to the motion I submitted to the City Council in February.
Councilmember Mitchell Englander’s Mid-Term in Review
To see the Mid-Term in Review book, click here.
To have a printed copy of the book mailed to you, please send us an email with your name and address at Councilmember.Englander@lacity.org
CD 12 “Crazy Sock Day” Sock Drive
This Tuesday was “Crazy Sock Day” for the Los Angeles City Councilmembers. The Los Angeles City Council launched a two–week competitive sock drive between the 15 Council Districts in hopes of generating thousands of pairs of new and gently used sock donations for homeless men, women and children in Los Angeles.
The initiative was born out of a gag gift – “crazy socks” – given to all councilmembers by Council President Herb Wesson on the first day of the new Council session.
Each of the City’s fifteen Council offices will compete to see which can most effectively mobilize their networks for the most donations.
Many established charities will provide all types of clothing for the homeless, but, since most people throw out used socks instead of donating them, they are frequently in short supply and there is always a great need.
The drive runs from August 14 – August 28, and all socks collected will be donated to the Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles and be distributed city-wide.
For every new pair of socks donated Coldwell Banker Quality Properties in Porter Ranch will match the donation.
Let’s make CD 12 the winner of this contest!!!
Please bring your sock donations to the following locations byWednesday, August 28:
CD 12 Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Avenue
Chatsworth
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Room 405
Los Angeles
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
North Valley Family YMCA
11336 Corbin Avenue
Northridge
Monday – Friday, 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sunday, 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Coldwell Banker Quality Properties
11280 Corbin Avenue
Porter Ranch
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Video: Councilmember Englander’s E12: E-xcellence in Public Service Leadership Program
Grand Opening of We Rock the Spectrum Kids GymThis last Saturday, August 10, 2013 marked the grand opening of We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym at the Fallbrook Mall in West Hills. Our Field Deputy, Jessie Levine, presented a Certificate to the staff and community.
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym provides a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for ALL KIDS, to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences. They are committed to offering a place for events and special services for families and therapists, who are treating and working with kids on the spectrum, as well as their family and friends.
We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them in the areas of strength, movement and sensory processing, communication experiences, behavior modifications, social interactions and self care skills.
Sunset Picnic Hike at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
The foundation for the preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains is hosting a Hike and Sunset Picnic at Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. They will hike to the Upper Meadow near Stoner’s Jump, picnic and learn about the old Stagecoach Route through the Santa Susana Pass.
Saturday, August 17
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Meeting Point: Lilac Lane entrance to the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
To get to Lilac Lane: Take Topanga Canyon north, and just past Stoney Point is the Santa Susana Pass Road. Turn left. After you pass the Rocky Peak exit off the 118, start looking to your left for Lilac Lane. Turn left on Lilac Lane. Drive a short way and look to your left for a large dirt parking lot with a State Parks wooden kiosk. Park in the dirt parking lot and meet at the kiosk.
If you have any questions, please contact State Parks Interpretive Specialist Jennifer Dandurand, SantaSusana@parks.ca.gov.
Indian Independence Day Celebration
The India Association of Los Angeles invites you to attend their 14th Annual Indian Independence Day Celebration! This free event offers a cultural show, vendors, great food, rock climbing, jumpers for the kids and a health fair.
Saturday, August 17
3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Granada Hills Charter High School
10535 Zelzah Avenue
Granada Hills
For more information contact Ialasfv@gmail.com or call 818-600-1495.
“Compost Work Party” at Highland Hall Waldorf School
Highland Hall Waldorf School invites the residents of Council District 12 to join them for a free community event. On Sunday, August 18, Highland Hall is hosting a “Compost Work Party” in their bio-dynamic garden.
This fun learning experience will be led by Nitza Bernard, Highland Hall’s Biodynamic Gardener. This is a great opportunity to learn about Biodynamics.
Sunday, August 18
10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Highland Hall Waldorf School
17100 Superior Street
Northridge
So, wear your work clothes, gardening gloves and a sunhat, pack a picnic, and get ready to have some truly down-to-earth fun!
For more information visit www.highlandhall.org or call (818)349-1394.
Veterans and Family Resource Expo
The San Fernando Veterans Employment Committee and the Project Living Hope will be hosting the Veterans and Family Resource Expo at the Van Nuys Armory. This will give Veterans and their families an opportunity to learn different about different resources that are available for them.
Thursday, August 22
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
California Army National Guard – Van Nuys Armory
17330 Victory Blvd.
Van Nuys
If you have any questions please call: 818 596-4448 or click here.
New Horizons partners with Macy’s for eight annual “Shop for a Cause”Macy’s will partner with New Horizons to invite customers to participate in Macy’s eighth annual national “Shop For A Cause” charity shopping event on August 24. Customers can purchase shopping passes from New Horizons now. Macy’s “Shop For A Cause” is a unique one-day-only shopping event created to support local charities’ fundraising efforts, which has helped raised more than $46 million for charities across the country since 2006.
Macy’s has provided New Horizons with shopping passes to sell for $5 each. New Horizons will keep 100 percent of every shopping pass it sells. The more New Horizons sells the more money they will raise!
By purchasing a shopping pass from New Horizons, customers help support the programs and services the agency provides to its clients with special needs while enjoying a day of spectacular discounts, entertainment and special events at Macy’s. Pass holders will receive special discounts on most regular, sale and clearance purchases all day, but some exclusions do apply.
Saturday, August 24
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Available at any Macy’s Store
To purchase a shopping pass from New Horizons, contact Shade Mokuolu at 818-221-0651 or smokuolu@newhorizons-sfv.org.
West End Art Walk Returns to Chatsworth
Shops at West End Chatsworth in collaboration with the Chatsworth Fine Arts Council present the 2nd Annual West End Art Walk. The art walk will feature a showcase of galleries, artists, restaurants, shops and small businesses located in the Historic West End of Chatsworth.
Friday, August 30
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
21800 Devonshire Street
Chatsworth
The West End Art Walk is dedicated to enhancing the economic development and revitalization of the community for businesses, visitors, and residents. Join us and you could win tickets to the Hollywood Bowl!
For more information please contact (818) 341-8888 or info@we-shops.com.
Diversity of Fundraising Luncheon
On Thursday, September 5, the Association of Fundraising Professionals will be having a panel discussion on diversity in fundraising. Diversity extends beyond finances, gender and race. Hear how our panelists use diversity positively.
Panelists include Semee Park, a Field Deputy from CouncilmemberEnglander’s office representing the communities of the northwest San Fernando Valley, and Patricia Garcia, founder of Power Media is well known in the community. Garcia was nominated by the LA Business Journal as one of the finalists amongst a group of extraordinary Latino honorees.
Thursday, September 5
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Courtyard by Marriot Sherman Oaks
15433 Ventura Boulevard
Sherman Oaks
Register now through this link.
Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce will be holding its Annual Fundraiser and is inviting our community members here in Council District 12. On Saturday, September 14 they will have the tournament fundraiser. All proceeds go to the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, September 14
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
VFW Post 2323
17552 Chatsworth Street
Granada Hills
For more information call the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce:(818)368-3235
Devonshire PALS 40th Birthday Party
Come celebrate on September 28th at the Greig Smith LAPD Devonshire Youth Center. Join us for food,fun and live music as the friends of PALS past and present gather together for the birthday celebration of the year.LAPD Devonshire PALS is dedicated to developing character in youth, reducing juvenile crime and creating safer communities…
Saturday, September 28
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Devonshire PALS
8721 Wilbur Ave
Northridge, CA
Reports From Our Staff:
Our Chief Legislative Deputy, Doug Tripp, would like to remind you that the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) is looking for volunteers to participate in the Fall 2013 class and become active CRT volunteers. Members of the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) are volunteers who respond to traumatic incidents at the request of the Los Angeles Police and Los Angeles Fire Departments. CRT volunteers provide immediate on-scene crisis intervention, act as a liaison between the victim and emergency personnel and give referrals to victims and their families affected by a death, a violent crime or other traumatic incidents. These During the required seven week training you will be provided the background, information, training and support to be able to respond to crisis situations.
Monday and Wednesday Evenings
September 9 – October 23
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters
100 W 1st Street
Los Angeles
To download the application form click here
For more information email lacrt@lacity.org or find more on Facebook
Tickets will be sold at $60.00 per person and to purchase tickets please click this link.
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