Office of Special Enforcement

The Office of Special Enforcement (OSE), commanded by a captain, is organized into the Special Operations Division and the Traffic Division. Contained in the Special Operations Division are the Metro and Narcotics Sections, Crime Impact and Special Entry Teams, Gang and Vice Units, U.S. Customs Detail and the Airport Security Unit. The Traffic Division encompasses all facets of traffic enforcement and control including the Motorcycle and Parking Enforcement Sections, Commercial Enforcement Officer and Traffic Accident Investigator, Major Accident Response Team and Crossing Guards.

Special Operations Division

Two Department goals, robbery suppression and reduction of thefts from autos, were chosen as major objectives for the year. Several methods were used to target these crimes including surveilling "bait cars" and equipping other undercover cars with Varda Alarms. Working in cooperation with burglary detectives, OSE focused on the crimes throughout the first three-quarters of the year which resulted in sharp declines in those crime categories. Another Department goal, narcotics suppression, was a focus for several sections. In fact, drug dealing in the downtown and Palisades Park area was drastically reduced through coordinated tactics of the Crime Impact Team (CIT), Third Street Promenade Bicycle Detail, Special Policing District (SPD) and the Narcotics Section. Narcotics officers arrested many street dealers and their suppliers by using citizen informants, We-Tips, the Narco Hotline, in addition to other sources of information.

Citizen complaints concerning drug activity were given immediate attention. Complaints were investigated, mitigated and the concerned citizens notified of the result. Enforcement strategies to encourage the return of citizens to areas with high drug activity which had been initiated in the previous calendar year, continued this year, aided by the collaborative tactics of SPD and OSE. The arrest of street drug dealers, addicts, other street criminals, and their successful prosecution, removed the source of many citizen complaints and created a strong public perception of safety in those areas. In the Pico Neighborhood, the Bike Detail was a very valuable and effective resource for narcotics suppression. Buy programs in that neighborhood would not have enjoyed the success they had without the bike officers' knowledge of the habits and behavior of local criminals.

Narcotics enforcement efforts were brought to the attention of both citizens and violators with an unusual tactic: a calling card. The card, created by the Narcotics Section and approved by the Chief of Police, was a "Joker" card with a jester looking through binoculars. After serving a warrant, the card was placed on the front door of the subject's house. The idea met with a very favorable response from the public. One citizen, an artist, made an 11x17 water color picture of the "Joker" sitting on her window sill and sent it to the Narcotics Section and the "Joker" was featured in a side bar in the April 7 issue of Newsweek Magazine.

The focus of the Crime Impact Team (CIT) was changed to selective enforcement. After the unfortunate loss of the team supervisor, Sergeant Mike Fitzsimons, to an on-duty injury, Sergeant Bob Legerski was selected to direct the team. Examples of CIT's selective enforcement were varied. CIT assisted the Narcotics Section with a buy program in Beat 8 during March resulting in the arrest of forty-two suspects, several of which were "three strikes" cases. In the area of 11th and Colorado Streets, team members combined undercover tactics with high visibility patrol to address problems associated with narcotics dealers and day laborers who congregated in those blocks. In the downtown business district, members worked with burglary detectives, responding to a theft from auto series using information supplied by the Crime Analysis Unit.

Additionally, when CIT received information from Morning Watch that there was a narcotics problem in the area of 7th and Broadway, officers evaluated the problem, contacted the Narcotics Section, and both sections changed their hours to address the activity. Undercover operations were undertaken and the problem was mitigated.

The Metro Section targets criminal problems by deploying both in uniform and in plainclothes. Metro is also responsible for high risk entries. Because of the potential of injury to officers or suspects as a result of that entry, Metro members spend a significant amount of time training to perfect their tactics and lessen the chance for injury to all parties. Being a member of Metro and the Special Entry Team requires officers to be on call 24-hours-a-day. Metro completed 34 high risk entries during the year. All of the operations were successful and there were no injuries to officers or suspects. Significantly, none of the entries became the subject of litigation.

The section worked with Pico Neighbor hood Bike officers to impact a gang and narcotics problem on 19th Street and the surrounding area. The effort was a success and eradicated a long-term neighborhood aggravation. Arrests of key individuals responsible for most of the cocaine dealing and related violence met with positive responses from the community. A Bank of America was robbed and a Brinks guard shot and paralyzed. Robbery detectives asked Metro to surveil possible suspects' residents. One suspect was located and captured which led to evidence identifying the other suspects.

After street dealers were successfully eradicated from Palisades Park, dealers began delivering drugs via pager call-up services. GTE cooperated with the Narcotics Section by placing a "trap" on the narcotics "cold line" telephone to locate dealers returning pages. Dealers could now be traced back to their organization's leader, a connection which could not be made when they were just dealing on the street. The strategy was very effective. Confidential sources reported that dealers were reluctant to deliver in Santa Monica, preferring to try and deal outside the eastern city limits or not at all. One investigation of a pager delivery service was conducted over the entire year. The result was the arrest of nine delivery persons and the group's leader. A search warrant netted the seizure of $20,000 in cash, over a pound of heroin and several guns.

The UCLA Police Department loaned OSE a female officer for an undercover buy program. The joint OSE/Beat 8 operation resulted in 42 arrests after six weeks of undercover buys, highlighted by the closure of a bar known for dealing drugs. To effect permanent closure of the bar, the assistance of several other agencies was enlisted: the Santa Monica Fire Department, Santa Monica Building and Safety, L.A. County Health Department, and State Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Informants reported to Narcotics officers that some local dealers were interested in manufacturing methamphetamine. The situation was monitored and suspects identified. A surveillance was conducted which pointed to a laboratory in Big Bear. The San Bernardino Sheriff's Office was notified and their team executed warrants on the location. That resulted in the seizure of 12 gallons of methamphetamine, automatic and silenced weapons, lab equipment and two arrests. In one case, Narcotics officers responded to a call from patrol officers who had discovered a possible steroid lab. An extensive investigation and follow-up caused officers to notify the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Their agent informed officers that the lab had been suspect for several years, but they did not have sufficient evidence to prosecute the main suspects. Narcotics officers developed additional information through informants who identified the suspects, then bluffed them into coming to a location where they were arrested by Department and DEA agents. Ultimately, hundreds of thousands of doses of assorted steroids and $50,000 in cash were seized at various Westside locations.

The Vice Section is responsible for enforcing regulations concerning liquor establishment permits and laws covering public acts of lewd conduct. They also monitor licensing and regulations for massage parlors. Vice officers notified all liquor establishments by mail of impending enforcement action. First, the licensees and their employees were invited to a Department sponsored seminar taught by State Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) officers to apprise licensees of ABC violations. The second phase was a sting operation using minors from the Police Cadet Program. The operation resulted in 97 arrests for liquor violations, primarily for sales to minors.

Vice officers became aware that promoters were contacting restaurants to rent their facilities on weekends nights. At one particular establishment, the crowds and noise caused a significant enforcement problem and seriously impacted the surrounding neighborhood. The solution, in this case, was to have the Chief of Police place the owner, who held the entertainment license, on probation. Thereafter, any future violations would result in the revocation of the police permit. Vice officers began the process of creating safeguards against this type of subletting by working with the City Planning Office on all new establishment permits and plans and by placing restrictions on new conditional use permits.

OSE assumed responsibility over the Criminal Intelligence Unit this year. The new investigator planned dignitary visits, including several for the President of the United States and one for the California Governor, in addition to gathering information. The investigator received information that a fringe member of a pro life group was planning to assassinate some local abortion doctors. She conducted a follow-up investigation on the subject who was surveilling a West Los Angeles clinic. Working with the Los Angeles Police Department Intelligence officers, she eventually detained the person. Evidence that a real threat existed was revealed and the subject was committed to a psychiatric facility. In another case, the investigator learned of an assault and battery committed by Russian immigrants against other Russian immigrants. Using her knowledge of the Russian Mafia, she found a connection pointing to the attackers as members of organized crime. The FBI was notified and became involved in the case, resulting in federal criminal indictments against the subjects for racketeering.

The Airport Security Unit provides security for all structures and aircraft located on airport property. Staff is responsible for monitoring all take-offs and recording all violations of city noise and curfew ordinances. They also keep unauthorized persons away from aircraft parking and hangar areas. The Air Unit flies many hours of surveillance as back-up to patrol. Frequently, it is also called out on a contract basis for other agencies. In one four-day period, the Unit assisted in a surveillance which netted the seizure of a substantial amount of drugs and cash. Because of the Unit's participation, the Department shared in the proceeds of the cash seizure. The equivalent of the total yearly operating budget for the airplane was paid for in four days. This was not an exception. The Unit has earned the equivalent of its budget by doing contract work for a number of years.

Traffic Division

The Traffic Section consists of the Motors, Commercial Enforcement, Traffic Accident Investigation, Parking Enforcement and School Crossing Guards. The Section participates in the Los Angeles County Traffic Safety Committee. As a result of that membership, the Motors Section received seven Preliminary Alcohol Screening (PAS) devices. The devices permit accurate field testing of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) suspects.

Participation in the committee also provides the Department with support when conducting DUI Checkpoints. In the past year, Motors has, with the support of the California Highway Patrol, conducted three DUI Check points. Over 8,200 drivers were screened, resulting in eight arrests for DUI. The greatest value of the checkpoints is to inform drivers of the dangers of drinking and driving.

During the summer months, the beach parking lot next to the Santa Monica Pier and the lot north of the pier become gathering spots for gang members. This past summer, there were numerous crimes on the beach and pier as a result of this activity. Several methods of dealing with the problem were tried without success. The tactic that eliminated the problem was a selective enforcement program by the Motor Section. In a two month period, 280 citations were issued for various equipment, registration and license violations. Eighty five vehicles were impounded from drivers who were unlicensed or had suspended licenses. Two stolen vehicles were recovered and approximately 23 persons were arrested for various violations.

There were 1,964 traffic accidents re ported during 1995, a mere four fewer than were reported in 1994. Table 1 contains traffic accident statistics from 1983 through 1995.

Overall, there has been a decline of 30.7% when comparing the number of traffic collisions occurring in 1995 to 1983.

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At left, Figure 1 shows a steady decline in the number of traffic accidents through 1991 with a slight, 1.1% increase in 1992. The number of collisions continued to fall in 1993 and then rise slightly in 1994. Hit-and-run collisions dropped from 558 to 531, a 4.8% decrease. The historical trend since 1987 is depicted in Figure 2 below. The number of hit-and-run collisions has decreased 31.4% when comparing 1995 to 1987.

Figure 3 below illustrates the number of driving under the influence (DUI) arrests recorded for each year since 1987. Except for a rise in 1989, arrests for DUI have been declining. In 1995, DUI arrests declined 3.8% compared with 1994.

The Commercial Enforcement Unit conducted 328 inspections of heavy vehicles during 1995. This resulted in 250 vehicles being taken out of service. The number is a decrease from last year, ostensibly because of increased compliance.

The Major Accident Response Team responded to and investigated 11 fatal accidents in 1995.

The Parking Enforcement Section employs 21 Parking Checkers who are supervised by Sergeant Tim Bauer and Laura Murphy. Personnel vigorously enforce appropriate code violations for parking, on street storing and abandonment sections. The enforcement ensures convenient and adequate parking for citizens and visitors alike. In this calendar year, section personnel issued 282,906 citations for parking offenses. Scofflaws are addressed through a "booting" program. A "boot" is a device that immobilizes a vehicle until all outstanding citations on the vehicle have been paid. Targeted vehicles were those which had five or more unpaid parking citations. Due to staffing shortages, the program was not implemented until July. How ver, in the last half of the year, 171 vehicles were booted.

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This page was last modified on 01/26/2008

This page was last modified on 01/26/2008