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• City of Lynwood
11330 Bullis Road
Lynwood, CA 90262
AGENDA
November 23, 1992
City Council Chambers
6:00 p.m.
I. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
RECEIVED I
CITY OF LYNWOOU f
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
NOV 11 1992
AM PRA
7 IS
a. Call to Order
b. Pledge of Allegiance
.
C. Roll Call
d. Minutes - October 28, 1992 Regular Meeting
II. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO THE KOLTS COMMISSION
REPORT
III. JOINT FORUM (LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD /CITY COUNCIL) -
KOLTS COMMISSION REPORT
IV. PUBLIC ORALS
V. BOARD MEMBERS' ORALS
VI. ADJOURNMENT
* Next Meeting - December 23, 1992
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L
• MINUTES
LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD
Meeting of October 28, 1992
The regular meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board was held on
October 29, 1992, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
(The agenda was duly posted as prescribed by the Brown Act.)
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Robert Downs.
The pledge of allegiance was also held by Mr. Downs.
Members in attendance were: Don Brantley, Elizabeth Dixon, Robert
Downs, Hilario Esparza, and David Willis.
Staff members in attendance were: Deborah Jackson and Pat Alvarez.
Also present were: Mayor Pro Tem Paul H. Richards, and Sheriff's
Department Captain Carole Freeman.
Approval of Complaint /Commendation Forms
A draft of a complaint /commendation form was distributed to board
members, for their review and approval. By general consent, board
members approved the said form, and they also made the following
• suggestions:
The forms should be placed for distribution at city hall lobby and
at the Sheriff's Department. Block Watch Captains should also be
given a sample form, so that they can advise members of the
community of the new form (but Block Watch Captains should not
distribute the forms).
Commission Forum - Kolts Commission Report
Mayor Pro Tem Paul Richards spoke on the Kolts Commission Report,
and asked board members to seriously consider and review the
document. According to the report, Lynwood is involved in at least
18 incidents (page 27 of the Kolts Report) . Mayor Pro Tem
Richards invited the board members to review the complaint
processing information on page 107 of the Kolts Report. Mr.
Richards announced that at the next Council Meeting, he will
recommend that a joint hearing on the Kolts Report be held with the
Councilmembers and the Law Enforcement Review Board Members. Mr.
Richards stated that it has been over ninety days since the Kolts
report was issued, and it is time to respond to it. The purpose of
the hearing will be to receive community input and testimony on the
Kolts report.
It was moved by board member Elizabeth Dixon, seconded by Don
• Brantley, and approved by all board members to participate as a
board, along with the City Council, on the hearing relative to the
Kolts Report.
• Law Enforcement Review Board
Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting
Page 2
After approval from both the Law Enforcement Review Board and City
Council, a date will be set for the joint hearing.
Captain Freeman informed that the Sheriff's Department has
developed its response to the Kolts Report, which addresses issues
relative to the Lynwood area, the procedures of receiving and
handling complaints, and other issues. The response, which is
almost as big as the Kolts Report itself, was released to the press
earlier today, October 28.
Captain Freeman commented that in future meetings, she will update
board members on complaints /commendations received, and their
status. The information she has for this meeting is the following:
- a commendation was received for one of their officers for helping
a person reclaim a vehicle
- a complaint was received on Alma Street regarding illegal
shootings during the night
- a complaint was received relative to an ex- employee who was
accused of disclosing confidential information
- a complaint was received regarding an improper vehicle stop by an
officer
• - a commendation was received from a Diamond Bar High School
principal for assistance provided by a Lynwood Sheriff's Deputy
during an athletic program.
- a commendation was received regarding an officer who helped a
lady cover her purse
Captain Freeman commented that not all complaints are "action
complaints ", but rather "process complaints ", where a question
is asked and an explanation, rather than an action, is required.
Mr. Downs asked Captain Freeman who determines whether a
complaint /commendation that is received is a legitimate one or
whether it will be documented or not. Captain Freeman replied that
the watch Commander receives all complaints /commendations, but it
is not up to him or anyone else to decide if it is legitimate or
not. Rather, all complaints/ commendations are documented, a copy
is given to the complainant as a receipt, then the investigation
process begins. Captain Freeman also mentioned that she reviews
all complaints and commendations received by the station.
Chairperson Downs commended the Sheriff's Department their high
level of responsiveness.
Ms. Dixon asked Captain Freeman what length of time it takes to
investigate each complaint, to which Capt. Freeman replied that
• just as the complaints received vary in complexity, there is no
specific answer, but it depends on how involved the complaint is.
. Law Enforcement Review Board
Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting
Page 3
However, the complainant is always kept informed of any
developments on the investigation of their complaint.
Ms. Dixon also asked if there is a specific schedule for officers,
where they are assigned a certain area of the city and the
residents can get to know them. Captain Freeman said that
unfortunately, due to the level of activity, officers do not really
have the time to chat with residents, although they are not
discouraged from doing so, they are very busy responding to calls
and patrolling the streets.
Ms. Dixon spoke on the Sheriff's lack of concern and sensitivity.
Captain Freeman responded by saying that the Sheriff's Department
cannot resolve any issues until specific information is provided,
not generalizations. When a specific complaint is received, it is
dealt with accordingly.
Public Orals
1) Leticia Vasquez, from 3817 Walnut Street, presented the
following complaint: On October 24, there was a party at her
• house, where there were approximately 25 persons. Sheriff's
responded to complaints from neighbors and went to the
location. After the officers were gone, the music got loud
again. Sheriff's arrived at the house for the second time,
and at that time, Deputy Alvarado made a racial comment, he
referred to the group in the party as "minority assholes ",
which was not taken lightly by any of the party guests. A
formal complaint was filed with the Sheriff's Department,
however, she says she has not received any information
relative to the investigation of her complaint. She also said
in her opinion, the attitude of this single deputy reflects
the attitude of the Sheriff's Department. She is asking for
assistance from the Law Enforcement Review Board so that the
matter can be investigated. Mr. Downs assured Ms. Vasquez
that the board is concerned about her complaint, and asked her
to fill out a complaint /commendation form, so that it can be
routed through the proper channels.
Captain Freeman responded, saying that a complaint made by
Mrs. Smith two days ago, at the same address Ms. Vasquez is
referring to. Lt. James Taylor took the information, and he
is working on the investigation of the complaint.
2) Mr. Eugene Wilson, from 4013 Woodland Avenue, commented on a
complaint relative to a search warrant and breaking into his
• house by the Sheriff's Department, said he just wanted to make
the board aware that his complaint is on file with the County
of Los Angeles.
• Law Enforcement Review Board
Minutes of the October 28, 1992 Meeting
Page 4
Chairperson Downs asked Mr. Wilson to fill out a form for the
board to keep in their files.
Commissioners' Orals
David Willis asked if the community has been aware of the
existence of the Law Enforcement Review Board. Deborah
Jackson said that when the board was first formed, it was
advertised in the local papers. More advertising will be made
as the structure of the board gets more organized.
Deborah Jackson asked the board members whether complaints
received from residents during the course of the business day,
should wait and be heard by the Law Enforcement Review Board
before forwarding complaint to the Council. Board member
Dixon said that she feels that it would be the most
appropriate course of action (to hear it before it goes to
Council).
Mr. Downs said that even though the board is not an
investigative body, it can be of great support to the citizens
of the community by giving them the opportunity to voice their
concerns. The board cannot take a position or make decisions,
but it can look into matters and make recommendations to the
City Council. He also suggested advertising the LERB in the
local cable channel.
Capt. Freeman also mentioned that the L.A. Times ran a story
on Columbus Day, in the Metro section. Ken Raich interviewed
her and she spoke on the Law Enforcement Review Board.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the Law Enforcement Review Board is scheduled
for Wednesday, November 25. Due to date falling a day before
Thanksgiving, it was suggested to change the meeting date for the
month of November. Staff will look into rescheduling the meeting
and will notify the board members of new date.
There being no further business, it was moved by Chairperson Downs,
and seconded by E. Dixon to adjourn the meeting at 7:11 p.m.
enforcement RebirW 18aarb
L
City o) Lynwood
11330 Bullis Road
Lynwood, CR 90262
MEMO
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
November 16, 1992
F R ECEIVED I
CITY OF LYNWOOU
CITY CLERKS OFFICE
AM It0V 13 1992
PM
7, 8 1 9,10,11,12,1 1 213141516
a
Andrea Hooper, City Clerk
Pat Alvarez, L.E.R.B. Minutes Clerlq\
LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD -
CHANGE OF SCHEDULE
Please be advised that the November meeting of the Law
Enforcement Review Board (Wednesday, November 25, 1992),
has been rescheduled to Monday, November 23, 1992, at
6:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers.
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