nanorich on January 13, 2010, at 10:35AM – #1

Waiting for those who made unwarranted assumptions about this terrible crime to post their apologies for their slander against the homeless population in the area, in their awareness that the weakest among us are more likely to be victims of violent crimes than perpetrators.

Gary Lang on January 13, 2010, at 12:18PM – #2

@nanorich

Get over it.

I think what was implied is that Skid Row is a dangerous area where crime and drug use is tolerated. Walk east down 5th late at night and see how this community treats those of you who stick up for them.

General Jeff on January 13, 2010, at 01:45PM – #3

I would like to publicly thank the LAPD for doing a tremendous job of gathering the evidence needed, then identifying and locating the suspect all within a short period of time soon after this unfortunate murder happened.

If the LAPD listened to most of you on this blog, half of Skid Row would have been in handcuffs, going through the unnecessary process of profiling and discrimination, which is illegal by the way. I'm glad that the LAPD avoided all the emotional stereotypes and let their detective process handle the solving of this crime.

I hope the victim and her family can begin to have closure.

As well as the Skid Row and Downtown community.

nanorich on January 13, 2010, at 02:00PM – #4

Gary...

the Nickel was that way before you were born.

And frankly, there are lot places smart people don't go after dark, especially if they don't have to.

Even in Santa Monica.

General Jeff on January 13, 2010, at 02:14PM – #5

nanorich,

Thank you for your supportive comment although I doubt that the naysayers will speak up now. Also, even though the majority of the Skid Row community is weak, there are still some "tough guys and bullies" here. We're not all weak, but I get your point.

Gary Lang,

When you say that, "Skid Row is a dangerous area where crime and drug use is tolerated...", tolerated by who?

There are many of us Skid Row residents that want a clean and safe community just as common-folk do anywhere else. It's unfortunate that most of us have to end up here when trying to rebuild our lives, but "it is what it is".

It's hard to stand up to "tough guys and bullies" without adequate "back-up". The only back-up here is the LAPD and sometimes they can't seem to be able to distinguish between who the common residents are and who the tough guys and bullies are.

What are our other options? Because if it is found out that ANYONE "snitches" to the cops, bad things will happen to them.

It's been that way for decades in Skid Row, just as it has in most inner-city communities.

Who's got the solution? And no not the "big idea", I'm referring to the "real solution" to change this pattern forever!

Now years ago, absolutely NO OUTSIDERS would be safe in Skid Row without an "escort" that would put his/her reputation on the line for said outsider. These days, it's not THAT bad.

Quite often I see folks either walking in groups, even some folks are comfortable to walk by themselves, day and night. Other folks ride their bikes, walk their dogs or drive their cars.

This is a different Skid Row. While many dangers still exist, there are many community members starting to help to improve the conditions from within, I being one of them.

Why now?

Because as more permanent housing is built here, the residents no longer feel as though they are only here "temporarily". Now that they can actually live in Skid Row long-term, they are becoming more thoughtful and protective of their "homes", just as any other community would protect their homes.

Change takes time, especially in Skid Row. BUT, we will get there!!

Gary Lang on January 13, 2010, at 02:19PM – #6

"the Nickel was that way before you were born."

What's your point? We should keep it that way because it's been that way? Think about how ridiculous that sounds.

Kudos to the LAPD for catching the criminal though.

Aaron on January 13, 2010, at 02:36PM – #7

Congrats to LAPD for catching this person. Maybe the victim's family can have some sense of relief now.

Would like an updated on the other four or five murders that occurred in Skid Row this past year as well.

nanorich on January 13, 2010, at 02:38PM – #8

Gary,

I am sure you will be happy to pay the taxes necessary to open up decent facilities for the mentally ill, including half way houses which were supposed to replace the snake pits which were closed during the eighties, supervise them to make sure they take their meds, help those who have fallen out the safety net, provide rehab for those at the bottom the ladder, veteran services for people who served their country....only to be denied help for things like PTSD...and drug addiction

There are children on skid row, families who have to live in cars...while waiting for housing vouchers. Old people suffering from dementia, sick people abandoned by their families.

All kinds of people for you to judge and feel superior to...

Ravi on January 13, 2010, at 04:45PM – #10

THANK YOU for posting the follow-up information regarding this sad sad news. Amen and thank God that family and friends can support those who are grieving. Is there any news on memorials or financial contributions toward Ms. Oyama's funeral expenses?

THANK YOU for the LAPD for such quicknes in thinking and in apprehending the "person of interest".

THANK YOU for all who commented on the actual post. To all you others, please use another form of media to play out your pontifications. OR ... actually meet each other and duke it out (verbally or physically - I don't care) face to face.

Gary Lang on January 13, 2010, at 05:02PM – #11

"I am sure you will be happy to pay the taxes necessary to open up decent facilities for the mentally ill..."

I do already, where do you think 35% of my income goes, and then 10% on anything I buy after that.

Only in downtown LA do people make you feel bad for working hard and having a good job. I work over 50 hours a week to afford what I have. Call me insensitive but my responsiblity is to myself and my family. People need to claim responsibility for themselves and stop pretending like the world owes them something. This is politics though and we know that neither side can be swayed by the arguments of the other, so let's leave it at that.

I am way off topic so I will not comment any further.

Lt. Paul Vernon, LAPD on January 14, 2010, at 09:15PM – #12

Lt. Paul Vernon here, head of detectives downtown. I've been reading and enjoying the debate on this post, and I thought I'd add my thoughts, too.

A) Here's a recap of all 5 murders committed downtown last year. (I'm doing this from home, so bear with me if I'm off a bit on dates, and I might not remember all the names.

Nos. 1 and 2: SOLVED by arrest of 3 persons for murder and conspiracy to murder of a drug dealer by a drug dealer at the Lamp Lodge on Easter Sunday. Gun used. Second victim was KK, a bystander present at the shooting. This case was a truly difficult one that took several months to work. Community tips played a big part. (I'll have more to say on this subject in another post.)

No. 3: SOLVED by arrest, in 36 hours. Lily Burk, 17yo girl, kidnapped by a parolee near the Southwest Law Library, driven around to ATMs to force her to retrieve money, then killed and left in her own car at 5th and Alameda. Her killer went into the gas station and bought a beer. A short time later, officers stopped him for drinking in public. He told them his bloody shirt was from a nose bleed. He was booked on the misd charge. Thanks to that simple stop, for an otherwise "minor" violation, homicide detectives identified him from a print in the car and realized he was already in custody! (I regret and I'm afraid the images of this sad and tragic crime is burned in my memory for ever.)

No. 4: SOLVED by arrest, same day. A week after the Burk murder, a homeless man at an encampment near the Harbor Freeway had his throat slashed by another homeless acquaintance over a demand for money, which the victim had recently received. (Here's a good example why the police encourage the homeless into the shelters at night.)

No. 5: SOLVED by arrest, same day. A 20-something woman, with a gang and narco record tried to shoot a 20-something man, also with a gang and narco record. The gun did not go off, then the suspect turned on the man's 50-something mother and shot her in cold blood. This occurred on San Julian Street between 5th and 6th in broad daylight. The gun-woman ran around the block, ditched the gun, and into the arms of a motor officer at the corner of 6th and Wall. I'll point out in this case that neither the suspect nor the victim and her son lived or worked in Skidrow, but had ties to South Los Angeles, the source of much of the narcotics sales in Skidrow.

That's 100% clearance rate, with the DA filing murder charges in all cases.

This post is getting a bit long, so I'll stop here and start another.

Lt. Paul Vernon on January 14, 2010, at 09:49PM – #13

Here's some random thoughts in response to comments:

Since 2006, crime downtown has dropped about 35%.

In 1989, there were 19,504 major crimes reported downtown. Twenty years later, 2009, there were 3,656!

In that same twenty years, 1991 was high year for murder, 46 (+/- 1 for my memory), in 2009 = 5, lowest number downtown in last 20 years, and perhaps in living memory.

The only unsolved murder since 2007 is the rug merchant killed in a store robbery at 8th and Santee. We're still working that case!

Using 2005 as a benchmark, there were 93 persons who died downtown for something other than homicide or suicide. (These are natural, overdose, traffic, etc.) The difference in the number of non-homicidal deaths in the following four years is 101 FEWER deaths.

Why is this number imporant? It's a measure, not of crime or arrests, but of quality of life. The change is due the the improvement of the ability of fire and social services to get to the people how need service before they are too critical to save. It's a measure of the improved safety for ALL in and around Skidrow, based on a yearly decline in dangerous weapons arrests.

Last year there were less than 10 shooting incidents, and three persons killed by gunfire.

Guns were reported as weapons in crimes 2% to 3% of all major crimes.

Last comment...I have worked my 20+ years all over the city and downtown is the one area where tips to the police are common and critical to solving crime. Central has always prided itself on having one of the highest solve rates for murder in the city.

So why does that happen downtown and not as much other places? First, downtown is not impacted by gang influence and intimidation, compared to other parts of the city.................but more importantly..........

I have found that in spite of their condition in life, many of the residents on Skidrow are still proud and they don't appreciate having violent criminals in their midst.

Just some random thoughts...be well!

Jasmijn on January 15, 2010, at 10:38AM – #15

Lt Vernon: thanks for your response, which is both detailed and thoughtful. I'm really glad you (and other LAPD contacts) monitor posts like this, because your input is critical to our understanding of the situation. And great thanks to you and your colleagues for the excellent work on solving all those cases.

I also really liked seeing the detailed breakdown of the crime stats and the comparison with 20 years ago. I first fell in love with downtown when it was at its lowest point: I worked here in the early '90s. I keep telling people who question me about living here how much it has changed, so having numbers to include as well makes my argument stronger than just a subjective response. (Plus it's reassuring to me!)

Thank you also for pointing out that even our homeless "residents" do not like having crime and violence in their midst.

JJ on January 15, 2010, at 04:53PM – #16

Lt. Vernon thank you. Nice of you to participate in this forum. The information you shared is helpful and very productive.

Guest on December 03, 2010, at 01:36PM – #17

gee whiz, it only took 3 months to arrest the 3 persons responsible for the lamplodge murders when i gave them the parties involved 4 days after the murders,they didnt believe me!