City Attorney presses charges in million-dollar wage theft case



One of the dogs at a recent vaccination fair held at the LA Animal Service Center. | Anita Kelso Edson/ASPCA

One of the dogs at a recent vaccination fair held at the South L.A. Animal Care Center. | Anita Kelso Edson/ASPCA

The City Attorney’s office announced last week that work on an almost $10 million contract awarded to Mackone Construction and its subcontractors had been done with underpaid workers. The city alleges that “almost fifty” workers building the South L.A. Animal Care Center were denied overtime, underrepresented in workman’s compensation claims and paid lump sums of cash that added up to below city-mandated prevailing wage.

Learn more in an audio story from Annenberg Radio News:

Life without parole in USC murder case



By Ani Ucar and Celeste Alvarez

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Javier Bolden, the last defendant involved in the 2012 murder of two USC graduate students, Ming Qu and Ying Wu, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole Monday morning.

Judge Stephen Marcus announced the decision about three weeks after a jury of seven women and five men found Bolden guilty in two counts of first degree murder as well as two other charges including attempted murder and assault with a firearm for a separate shooting of two victims at a party in February 2012. [Read more…]

Man convicted for murder of USC students faces life sentence + New HIV-prevention services in South LA



 

AIDS Project Los Angeles | Wikimedia Commons

AIDS Project Los Angeles | Wikimedia Commons

Man convicted faces life sentence: A jury is expected to rule in favor of a life sentence without parole for Javier Bolden, a 22-year-old convicted of killing two USC international students in April 2012. (L.A. Times)

HIV-prevention services in Baldwin Hills: AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) Health and Wellness will begin serving patients in Baldwin Hills on November 17. Their services primarily target HIV-negative gay and bisexual men and transgender women. (IT Business Net)

Two robbery suspects in custody after manhunt: LAPD officers caught two suspects after they robbed a woman Friday night near 70th and Figueroa streets. (L.A. Times)

USC builds community ties through tours: USC’s Price School of Public Policy began a program called Beyond the Gates to prevent isolation of USC from South L.A. Program participants recently toured Watts and Florence-Firestone. (Streetsblog L.A.)

3 in custody after SUV theft: 3 people are in custody in connection to the theft of an SUV early Monday morning near Rosewood and La Brea avenues. (Daily News)

 

A neighborhood public meeting, without the public



The District 10 Field Office, where the UNNC meetings take place. | Kirby Pedersen

The District 10 Field Office, where the UNNC meetings take place. | Kirby Pedersen

The United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council met recently to discuss matters in West Jefferson and Arlington Heights, but no one from these areas was present to vote on or discuss the issues. The disorganization and complex content of UNNC meetings may have deterred public participation despite its members’ good intentions.

A left turn at the run-down liquor store and a right at the corner where homeless men were sitting led visitors to the parking lot for the Council District 10 Field Office. A trip through glass doors then welcomed them to a room in shades of brown – tables, floors and walls. Harsh fluorescent lighting shone down upon the three small folding tables with peeling paint that converged to form a larger table. Large trashcans lined one wall and the only pop of color in the room was a fake plant leaning against one corner of the room. This was the location of the sparsely attended UNNC meeting, but there were no physical signs or notices that informed the public of the upcoming gathering. [Read more…]

LAPD seeks witnesses to Ezell Ford shooting



By Ashley Yang and Celeste Alvarez

LAPD press conference on Ezell Ford investigation. | LAPD Twitter

LAPD press conference on Ezell Ford investigation. | LAPD Twitter

Los Angeles city officials and law enforcement officers reinforced their plea Thursday for witnesses to come forward with more information about the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Ezell Ford, a mentally ill African-American man, by two Los Angeles Police Department officers more than three months ago.

“We are here today united in the search for truth,” L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti told reporters at a news conference. “The community, the poor family, our police officers and the city deserve nothing less.”

The LAPD expressed need for the community’s assistance in forming a clear account of the circumstances surrounding Ford’s death. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey said her office will also be accepting witness statements if the public does not feel comfortable reaching out to the LAPD. [Read more…]

Mayor Garcetti orders Ezell Ford autopsy released + Leaders push for federal Promise Zone grant for South LA



 

South L.A. could be named a

South L.A. could be named a Promise Zone.

Ezell Ford autopsy to be released: In an effort to increase transparency, Mayor Garcetti ordered the police department to release the autopsy report for Ford who was shot in August by LAPD officers. (Huffington Post)

City leaders want South LA to be designated Promise Zone: South L.A. leaders apply for a federal Promise Zone grant that would offer funding for social programs to reduce poverty. L.A. was awarded this grant this year, but South L.A. was not included in the boundaries. (L.A. Times)

Animal care center developers sued: The developers for the South Los Angeles Animal Care Center are being sued for failing to pay their workers sufficiently. (ABC)

Garcetti promises more funds to repair streets: Mayor Garcetti introduced a series of initiatives that will increase funding for repaving roads to nearly $50 million, which translates to 400 more miles of repaved streets. (Streetsblog L.A.)

South L.A. to host CicLAvia: On December 7, South L.A. will host its first ever CicLAvia, a car-free event, along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. (L.A. Sentinel)

Man charged in barber shop shooting: 35-year-old Mark Lequan Alford was charged for the killing of South L.A. barber Kevin Williams. (CBS)

LAUSD superintendent’s South LA legacy



John Deasy speaks at a City Year event in 2013. | City Year

John Deasy speaks at a City Year event in 2013. | City Year

High school seniors in the Los Angeles Unified School District graduating in 2015 have attended school under five different superintendents since they began kindergarten in 2001. That statistic punctuates the departure of Superintendent John Deasy, who resigned last month following a three-and-a-half-year term that included both peak performances and steep pitfalls in the district.

As the door closes on Deasy’s high-profile leadership as LAUSD superintendent, Intersections explored how Deasy’s work influenced the experience of students in South L.A.—home to some of the district’s lowest performing schools.

[Read more…]

South LA crime-fighting residents awarded for courage



Five courageous citizens were honored today at the final Courageous Citizen Awards ceremony of the year. | District Attorney Twitter

Five courageous citizens were honored today at the final Courageous Citizen Awards ceremony of the year. | District Attorney Twitter

Three South Los Angeles residents were among the handful of Angelenos named recipients of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office’s Courageous Citizen Award because of their courage and acts of selflessness.

The award was created, according to the District Attorney’s office, to commend individuals who have acted with courage in the face of personal risk to help a victim of crime, capture a suspect or testify in high-pressure situations. The District Attorney presents the awards several times a year, and this season’s award presentation took place Wednesday. The program was started in 1986, according to a District Attorney spokesperson.

“Our community is a safer place because these local heroes refused to look the other way when others needed help,” District Attorney Jackie Lacey said in a statement. “The courage displayed by each of these honorees is nothing short of remarkable.” [Read more…]

Month-long closure in Crenshaw for metro construction + Police investigate infant death in South LA



Construction for the new metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd. (April 2014)

Construction for the new metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd. (April 2014)

Month-long closure on Crenshaw Boulevard: Metro officials warn commuters to avoid Crenshaw Boulevard between Jefferson Boulevard and Coliseum Street for the next month as work begins for the rail line to LAX. (NBC)

Infant girl dies in South L.A.: Police are investigating the death of an infant death near the 200 block of East 97th Street early Wednesday morning. (Daily News)

More than 4,600 homeless veterans in L.A.: An annual survey on homelessness estimates there are more than 4,600 homeless veterans in L.A. Central and South L.A. have the largest homeless population at 17,000. (Press Telegram)

Child welfare coalition calls for reform: For South L.A.’s Vanessa Perez, this means working harder to reunite parents and children. (Chronicle of Social Change)

Four wounded in drive-by: Investigators are trying to identify the person responsible for a drive-by shooting Friday night that wounded four. None of the wounds are life-threatening. (KPCC)

City stamps out safety-enhancing DIY effort in Silver Lake, leaves massive gang signs in place in South Central: Although the city has not painted over gang signs in the streets of South L.A., it has painted over community efforts to end speeding in Silver Lake. (Streetsblog L.A.)

L.A. School Board reelections: School board president Vladovic, who will be defending his District 7 seat that includes parts of South L.A. is just one of many members who may face challenges during reelections. (L.A. Times)

Growing number of candidates for March elections: Many candidates are interesting in running for office in March, including L.A. School Board and South L.A.’s district 8. (Daily News)

Man allegedly takes his own life after exchanging gunfire with police: 38-year-old Calvin Williams allegedly took his own life after firing at officers near 6600 block of Denver Avenue Sunday morning. (CBS)

Lynwood hosts solemn commemoration for Veterans Day



Charles Wood and Daniel Hamilton in front of Lynwood City Hall | Jiawei Wang

Charles Wood and Daniel Hamilton in front of Lynwood City Hall | Jiawei Wang

Veterans and family members joined the City of Lynwood officials to celebrate Veterans Day in front of the Lynwood City Hall on Nov 11.

The event started with flag salute. The veterans wore formal military attire as they stood in front of the city hall and sang the national anthem in overcast weather.

Veteran Charles Wood talks about his service in Vietnam in an audio slideshow below. 

Later, family members and veterans shared their experiences of military service. Most of the veterans had been involved in U.S. operations in Iraq, the Persian Gulf or Afghanistan. [Read more…]