Making Lemonaid out of Lemons

This is an example of a shrewd move by LASD. On the news last night they were showing the LASD "hero" dispatcher, and the "hero" boy with a Sheriff hat on. Everything was happy smiles and what a great thing it was no one was hurt. Yep lucky for them. Now lets say the home invaders had shot the family then left? Do you think we would hear much about this 911 call? Nope. The real back story here, not covered by the mainstream media [especially the local TV stations who love to film whats fed to them by law enforcement in cases like this just to get ratings], is when was the 911 call placed and how many minutes later did the sheriff actually arrive at the scene? [this info is tracked by the way] If they were told a description of the car why could they not catch them? Was the LASD helicopter in the air at the time? How long did it take to respond? Was the cars description called in timely? They could not spot the car? If not why do we have two Sheriff's helicopters in the air all the time buzzing our homes at all hours of the day? How close was the closest sheriff's car to the house when the call came in? How far was this house from the LASD substation in Norwalk? [where the LASD helicopter lands by the way] These are the types of questions that should be asked in a situation like this and are not. Why? Most likely as the answers are embarrassing for the LASD. Its more fun to have a media event and hand out sheriff caps. Yep, making lemonade out of lemons. Hats off to the mainstream media for missing the real story and the LASD press spin masters.

We have heard stories of "911" calls before to Lakewood Sheriff's. Like "burglary in progress. I am watching them take stuff right now... Come quick." 30 minutes later a car shows up and asks where the burglars are. We kid you not. We could not make this stuff up. The deputy was told by the reporting witness that the burglars left about 5 minutes after the 911 call. Then the deputy just drives away. No report. Why make a report as that will just make LASD look bad as another unsolved burglary.

Now I am sure the sheriff response to all of the above would be "we need more units/deputies/dogs/radios/helicopters" or "we need more overtime" or "more lucrative pensions" but that is another story. The real issue is we are not getting much bang for our buck. All we get are "puff pieces" like the one below, and worse on the blathering local TV news. Oh and don't forget the stories that end badly or never get reported as their is no cute little boy in the story. Sure this is a "feel good" story, but lets not forget the "real" back story.

Norwalk boy, 7, makes harrowing 911 call during armed home invasion [Updated]
March 9, 2010
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/authorities-were-hailing-a-7-year-old-norwalk-boy-as-hero-tuesday-after-he-hid-in-a-bathroom-and-called-911-as-three-armed-at.html

Authorities were hailing a 7-year-old Norwalk boy as a hero Tuesday after he hid in a bathroom and called 911 as three armed attackers broke into his home and threatened his parents.

During the harrowing emergency call, the child pleaded with Los Angeles County sheriff's dispatchers to send help.

"Can you come really fast? Please! Please! ... They have guns. They shoot my mom and dad," the boy said, according to a copy of the 911 tape released by authorities.

The incident began about 8:30 a.m. when the three suspects, armed with handguns, stormed in through an unlocked door and said they were going to take what they wanted, the sheriff's department said.

The boy hid in the bathroom and locked the door.

"There's some guy who's going to kill my mom and dad," he said. "Can you come, please?

"Bring cops...a lot of them! ... And soldiers, too," the boy said.

He told dispatchers that he thought his parents had been shot.

The attackers broke into the bathroom and found the boy. At that point, screaming is heard on the 911 tape.

Authorities said one of the suspects grabbed the boy and asked who he called. "911," the boy responded, according to the department.

The suspects fled without injuring anyone or taking any property, authorities said.

"If not for the brave and educated actions of the 7-year-old boy, this might have ended tragically," said Capt. Pat Maxwell.

[Updated 10:18 p.m.: The boy hid in the bathroom with his 6-year-old sister, according to the 911 tape. Authorities said the suspects fled in a gray two-door Acura RSX.]

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (562) 863-8711.

-- Andrew Blankstein and Robert J. Lopez

Lakewood Accountability Action Group™ LAAG | www.LAAG.us | Lakewood, CA
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