Los Angeles Airport Police recognize elected officials

Councilwoman Hahn, Commissioner Zifkin
support National Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial event

(Los Angeles, California - August 7, 2006) The Los Angeles Airport Police presented plaques of appreciation to Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn - District 15, Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Lydia Kennard and Airport Commissioner Walter Zifkin to recognize their support during the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Event held in Washington, D.C.

	City of Los Angeles Councilwoman Janice Hahn, District 15 (left) receives plaque from Joe Dean, National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial Ambassador and Burbank Police Detective, (right).		Los Angeles Airport Police Lieutenant Curtis Thompson (left) presents Lydia Kennard, Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director (right), with a plaque of appreciation for her support.

The Los Angeles Airport Police represented California law enforcement agencies at the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in May in honor of all officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2005.

Joseph Dean, National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Ambassador and a Burbank Police detective, presented commendations at the Board of Airport Commissioners meeting to Brian A. Walker, acting chief of Los Angeles Airport Police, Airport Police Captain La Ponda Fitchpatrick and Airport Police Honor Guard members Officers Shawna Smith, Caj Scott, Brian Davis, Sofia Gallegos, Mark Corral, Rupert Staine, Marshall McClain and Sergeant George Holt III.

Councilwoman Hahn and Commissioner Zifkin also received commendations from Dean.

VAN NUYS AIRPORT POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS AFTER ROBBERY

(Van Nuys, California - June 28, 2006)

Two suspects are in police custody tonight following their arrest around 11:30 a.m. by a Los Angeles World Airports Police officer assigned to Van Nuys Airport, who was flagged down by a pedestrian reporting he had been robbed at knife point.

While driving on an authorized lunch-break, Airport Police Officer Doug Watson was flagged down by a man at the intersection of Parthenia and Forbes in Van Nuys, who stated he had just been robbed at knife point. The victim described the two male suspects and Officer Watson observed the suspects running a short distance away from the location. Watson, with the assistance of Van Nuys Airport Police Officer George Jarvis who responded on back-up, took the two suspects into custody without incident. The suspects were identified by police as Alfredo Linares, 5 foot-11 inches tall and 230 pounds; and Javier Edgardo Deleon, 6 feet tall and 185 pounds. Both suspects are 18 years old and residents of Van Nuys. The victim's property and a 12-inch knife were recovered from the suspects.

The victim suffered minor scratches and his clothes were torn during the incident.

The suspects were transported and booked at the LAPD Devonshire Division on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN LAWA AND LAPD

(Los Angeles - June 27, 2006)

Mayor Villaraigosa announced today a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the Los Angeles Police Department outlining deployment and resource allocation issues at LAWA. We applaud the Mayor for his leadership on this important local public safety agreement.

The Memorandum of Agreement clearly reaffirms the Los Angeles Airport Police's role as first responders at Los Angeles World Airports. The full spectrum of duties and responsibilities outlined in this MOA and mandated by post-9/11 federal airport security law make it imperative for the Los Angeles Airport Police to be granted the additional authority of 830.1 Penal Code status. The designation of LAWAPD as 830.1 peace officers is unanimously recommended by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and is provided for in Assembly Bill 1882. In addition to POST, the bill is supported by the LAWA Board of Airport Commissioners, the LAX Airline Airport Affairs Committee (representing more than 85 airlines operating at LAX), L.A. City's Chief Legislative Analyst and numerous community, business, civic and law enforcement organizations.

We asked Assemblymember Dario Frommer to temporarily withdraw Assembly Bill 1882 in order to allow the Mayor to announce the details of the MOA and to take a leadership role in ensuring the passage of this legislation that is critical to the successful implementation of the MOA's security provisions. Assembly Bill 1882 provides vital protection measures for Los Angeles airports, including LAX, the State's number one terrorist target. Presently, the Los Angeles Airport Police are the only first responders at a California international airport without the full law enforcement authority of 830.1 status.

The bill will be reintroduced in August.

Contact: George Jarvis, President, Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association, 818-357-6649; or Fred Lowe, Business Manager, Laborers' International Union, Local 777, 818-426-0824.

MULTI-AGENCY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION AT LAX
MAKES IT SAFER FOR USERS OF GROUND TRANSPORTATION

(Los Angeles, California - July 19, 2006)

Nearly 60 representatives from the Los Angeles Airport Police, California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Los Angeles World Airports Landside Operations and Airfield Permits Unit conducted inspections at LAX today of 428 limousines, door-to-door shuttle vans and long-distance vans.

The goal of the four-hour operation at the airport's limousine holding lot was to enhance the personal safety of the general public who use commercial ground transportation services. Travelers at airports, such as LAX, are significant audiences for commercial ground transportation providers. The multi-agency team focused on proper driver and vehicle licensing, PUC and airport operating permits and other law enforcement-related issues. CHP officers and inspectors concentrated on mechanical equipment, including braking systems, passenger restraints, headlights and other safety systems required to be in good working order.

Of the vehicles inspected, two were impounded for operating with a revoked PUC permit and one for brakes being unsafe to drive on city streets. Nine vehicles were removed from service for serious mechanical problems with steering, brakes, vehicle suspension and other mechanical issues. Seven vehicles are prohibited from further operation at LAX until violations of the airport's ground transportation operating permit program are corrected. Transponders (devices that are attached to commercial vehicles to monitor the number of times they access and circuit the airport's Central Terminal Area roadways) were confiscated from the seven vehicles.

Five drivers (including one of the drivers of the impounded vehicles) were issued Personal Service Citations for misdemeanor violations including serious mechanical problems, improper insurance, driving with an out-of-class license, and invalid or no PUC permits. Fines for citations vary, and drivers must show proof of correction before vehicles can resume for-hire operation.

Last month, a similar multi-agency operation was conducted at LAX which targeted taxis. During this operation, 477 taxicabs were inspected which resulted in 54 drivers receiving administrative citations for mechanical and equipment violations. These violations ranged from improper lights; no proof of insurance, registration or permit; no license plate; unsealed meters; no fuel cap; improper attire and unsanitary interiors.