Thread: Bratton alarmed by rise in attacks on L.A. officers

Bratton alarmed by rise in attacks on L.A. officers
BY RICK ORLOV, Staff Writer

Calling the attack on a 26-year-old rookie cop over the weekend an assassination attempt, LAPD Chief Bill Bratton on Monday decried the growing number of assaults against officers.

Bratton said officers have been fired upon 15 times already this year compared with nine times in all of last year - a trend that ought to concern everyone.

"We believe this was an ambush, an attempted assassination of our officers," an emotional chief said during a downtown news conference at which police asked for public assistance on any possible motive for the crime.

Doctors worked feverishly through the weekend to try to save Officer James Tuck's hand and offered a positive outlook Monday for his recovery.

Detectives said they are still trying to piece together the motive behind the attack late Saturday on Tuck and Officer John Porras.

Jose Perez, 31, who police said has an extensive criminal record of drug and robbery charges, was arrested in connection with the shooting. A second suspect, Alfredo Escobedo, 36, of Los Angeles, also was taken into custody.

Tuck, in the ninth month of his yearlong probation, and Porras had pulled over a black Honda for a mechanical violation in the Montecito Heights area when a man identified as Perez jumped out of the car and fired at the officers with an AK-47 assault weapon.

Police believed 17 shots were fired into the police car as Tuck radioed in their location. He was struck in the wrist and suffered two other gunshot wounds, including one that penetrated his bullet-proof vest.

Tuck and Porras returned gunfire and Perez was struck in the leg.

Bratton said doctors initially feared they would have to amputate Tuck's hand because of the severity of the wound, but now believe they will be able to save it. Bratton said Tuck will have to have additional surgery and months of rehabilitation.

"This is an extraordinary young man," Bratton said. "When Mayor (Antonio) Villaraigosa and I visited him at the hospital, I asked him, like I do all officers, if there was anything I could do for him. He asked if we could get some water coolers in the Hollenbeck station."

Bratton explained there was a water shortage at the facility because of remodeling work being done and that water coolers are being installed this week.

The surge in attacks on officers has Bratton deeply concerned.

"A lot of this is gang-related, but it also is an example that we have far too many guns on the streets of this city and every city," Bratton said, estimating that officers confiscate 15 to 20 weapons a day.

"I want the public to know what our officers are facing every day. We get a lot of complaints about the demeanor of our officers. But they are acting professionally because they don't know when something like this can happen to them.

"I just thank God that these officers are alive today. They must have had a guardian angel watching out for them."

Bratton said he will be reviewing the reports on the incident to see whether there is anything the department could do to help better prepare officers.

"So far, I can't see what we would have done differently," Bratton said. "You just can't prepare for an attack like this."

Bob Baker, president of the Police Protective League, issued a statement calling on the public to come together to support his union's officers.

"The officers who protect Los Angeles need the community to demand an answer to this senseless violence and not to promote an atmosphere in which a criminal can take out an AK-47 and blast a police officer and no one seems to care," he said.

"It is a two-way street: A successful police department is a department that is supported by its community. We need to work together to stop the violence."

Police Commissioner Andrea Ordin, who has been on the civilian panel for less than a year, said she was outraged that officers are being targeted.

"To us as police commissioners, this is a genuine tragedy that hurts all officers," Ordin said.

Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents the Montecito Heights area, said Angelenos must unite to prevent such incidents.

"We cannot allow this type of attack to go on," Huizar said, adding his appreciation of local residents who helped the officers after the shooting.

http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_4182080

It's beginning to sound just like Mexico.

If the Democrat Party was worth the air they breathe, they'd begin a serious push for impeachment proceedings against GWB. This incompetent hack politician has put all of us at risk, and is as oblivious to that as he is to the total chaos he's created worldwide.

They won't, though, because they'd rather have an election issue.

Sad but true Count.
Its all about how they politically advance themselves and their own private agendas. It doesn't have a damn thing to with what's best for the people. (as we all know)

http://www.lacountymurders.com/wanted_suspects.cfm

The surge in attacks on officers has Bratton deeply concerned.

I'll bet Mayor (Antonio) Villaraigosa only showed up at the hopital for appearances. The man hates gringos! He's part of the problem - get rid of him and perhaps the city can start repairing the damage he has caused.

Just another advantage to being a "sanctuary city"!

Count, I checked out your link. Is it just me, or does 85% of that list appear to be illegal aliens?

Originally Posted by MW

I'll bet Mayor (Antonio) Villaraigosa only showed up at the hospital for appearances. The man hates gringos! He's part of the problem - get rid of him and perhaps the city can start repairing the damage he has caused.

MW, If I don't say it you do! I was thinking the same thing.

Count your right about GW. He has set into motion something that is going to lead to martial law. That foolish-foolish man. I hope his business deals are worth what it will do to this country. He has facilitated an invasion. All he can see is the sweet little Mexican housekeeper that wiped his twins butts. Fool!!!!!! He will never acknowledge the hatred and Socialist movement. Idiot.

He should be coming on TV talking to the invaders just like he did the Terrorist of 911. He needs to root them out and cast them out.

Dixie

There have been presidents in the past who have done some serious damage to America, but GWB is on the path of totally destroying us. Unfortunately, it will take the total destruction of this country to awaken the government body that has given so much power to this warmongering idiot. When their own ship begins to sink, they will have nobody to blame but themselves.

Originally Posted by sippy

Count, I checked out your link. Is it just me, or does 85% of that list appear to be illegal aliens?

Celebrate diversity, sippy!