*.~-li7<-] i ANNUAL R1=fB0R?r 011* POQICE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. (?ALII1‘ORNfI_A "v|v/v~'.1-:1::7-‘Pp;-\ FOR THE 1=r= ' YEAII ENDIN G JUNE 30, 19i2 1? ANNUAL REPORT OF POLICE DEP2—‘._\.RTMEN T x OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. CALIFORNIA FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30. 7-? $4} ‘9 ~ Jim 26, 1912. TO THE HONORABLE COUNCILMEN OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: GENTLEMEN: I herewith submit my annual report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1912, together with such information and statistics as could be assembled, showing the work and roster of the Police Department of the City of Los Angeles, the changes made, innovations, and recommendations I deem necessary for the continuance of the service the Police Department has given the city in the year. Respectfully, C. E. SEBASTIAN, Chief of Police. a -+ *'”""’<-".*E'=#._'~'- 4 ANNUAL REPORT EMINENTLY SATISFACTORY I have not one word of criticism to uttcr against the work of the members of the Los Angeles Police Department in the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1912. Their work has been eminently satisfactory and consistently good. The service the division commanders, commanders of the sub-stations and bureau chiefs have given the city and the taxpayers has been higher than the average. As men and police ofiicials they are above criticism and invariably are wideawake, loyal, ener getic and trustworthy. The primary object of a police depart. ment is the prevention of crime. In this the Los Angeles patrol men, police detectives and the policewomen have accomplished a great deal, their efiorts injthis direction having attracted the attention of the judiciary and the bar as well as that of munici palities and many civic organizations. The next object of having a police department is that of the detection of offenders after crime is committed. That the tLos Angeles Police Department has won an enviable name in the pursuit of and the capture of criminals is known to each of you. It has been a pleasure to learn of the words of praise and coin mendation uttered by the police commanders of other cities for this department. This, more than anything else, shows that the Los Angeles policemen and detectives are held in esteem and are respected elsewhere as at home. The efficiency of the police department is revealed in accompanying reports and the t.".buIated forms, each of which is a story in itself. GENERAL DISCIPLINE To obtain these results it is absolutely necessary to have and maintain general discipline. The discipline enforced has been of a character that fully accomplished these objects. How to obtain such discipline is one of the most dificult problems the Chief of Police has to solve. Good police work in the preven tlon of crime and the detection of violators of the laws and ordinances does not obtain when there is dissension and jeal uusies. Los Angeles’ Police Department has been freer from these in the past year than at any time in its history. PERSONAL INTEREST A kindly interest in the personal welfare of the members of the Police Department and the exercise of a supervision which encouraged energy. self-reliance and fearlessness as wcll as con fidence in those in authority—this carrying with it the l<noWle(lge that merit would win—has been my procedure. The wisdom HONORABLE GEORGE ALEXANDER. Mayor. r.;~_< ._ xl\I|__..l.Ii..-.1Il.._|..J‘ll8lI\.|l.\l LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT 5 of such a policy is proved by the splendid records shown. In addition, it has caused the patrolmen to take pride in keeping their uniforms neat and clean, and they have, with exceedingly few exceptions, been courteous and kind to persons seeking their assistance and advice. Visiting police officials and citizens often time have noted this, the work of the police in time of conven tions and street parades receiving their encomiums. ADDITIONAL PATROLMEN AND DETECTIVES The work of the year and the almost numberless demands. requests for additional assistance in the several police branches, and extension of police protection to residence districts annexed recently compels me to urge the necessity of providing at least 100 patrolmen and ten police detectives. More could be used and even then, Los Angeles would not possess the number of patrolmen and detectives employed in cities not exceeding it in area of square miles and population. In this connection I want to call attention to the wisdom. nay. the necessity of establish ing an additional sub-station in the neighborhood of Central and Vernon avenues. This locality is central and it would greatly facilitate the work performed in the University and Boyle Heights Divisions were another sub-station provided. I respect fully advise that a site for this station be purchased without delay. GONG AND “FLASHLIGHT” SYSTEM The gong system at the street intersections in the com-i mercial and congested districts has been tested in other cities. So has the red signal or “flashlight” system been "tried-out" in residential districts, here .as elsewhere. Both have proved their value in the suppression and correction of crime. The gongbell is of incalculable benefit in police work in the commer cial districts. the sound of the bell calling the attention of the patrolmen on the beat and the policemen detailed at the cross ings, informing him that his personal attention is required. The “flashlight” system has been in operation in this city for sev eral years. the owners being nightwatchmen. The flashing of red signal lights in residential districts possessing them has greatly assisted in the apprehension of criminals bent on house breaking or highway robbery. SUB-STATIONS FOR MOTORCYCLE POLICE To facilitate police service in residential districts in which the police patrol is insuflicient--this due to the lack of patrolmen —I have established sub-stations for motorcycle policemen. The 6 _ ANNUAL REPORT value of this special call-service, which is directed from the Division headquarters, has been amply demonstrated. A perusal of the attached table showing the number of calls received and miles traveled by the motorcycle “call-men" attests this state ment. The citizens and taxpayers appreciate this service, which afiords them a sense of protection they otherwise would not possess. It is my plan to establish additional sub-stations for the motorcycle service in Garvanza, Boyle Heights, Hollywood and Wilshire districts after July 1, 1912. CHANGE IN MOUNTED SERVICE Observations taken in other cities have caused me to con sider the advisability of withdrawing a part of the mounted policemen from the outlying districts and transferring at_least [our of the squad to the congested district where the work of protecting the pedestrian public and directing the movement of vehicles has increased to an enormous extent. I do not believe it feasible to withdraw the mounted ofiicers from the hilly dis tricts, it being almost impossible for prompt and rapid motor cycle police service in these localities, but I do deem it necessary to transfer several of the mounted squad from the level road districts to the commercial district. I have in contemplation a plan to detail mounted policemen between the street intersections in Spring street and Broadway, and to fill the vacancies created in the outlying district by motorcycle police. (Note: This change has been efiected and the mounted police have effectually aided in handling the trafiic on the streets of the business section of the city.) “CITIZEN POLICEMEN” There is no question as to the value of “Citizen Policemen.” Those familiar with police service, especially in cities where the growth in population is rapid. know that it is almost impossible to give satisfactory and complete police protection in the newer districts; also, that many minor offenses pass undetected and go unpunished because of the fact that the average citizen does not care to act, because he feels he has no authority to make arrests or utter warnings when a law or ordinance is violated in his presence. Several months ago, the question and advisability of seeking council legislation enabling me to appoint ZOO “citizen police men,” who would serve without pay and who would not be en titled to street car transportation gratis, was considered. The plan received the approval of the Honorable Board of Police Commissioners. and the _City Attorney was authorized by the LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT 7 Honorable City Council to draft an ordinance providing for the appointment of the “citizen policemen.” Since the plan was proposed I have received 800 applica tions from reputable citizens for appointment in this branch of police work. I solicited the applications in many instances, .thers came as volunteers. In the event these appointments are made, I believe it a good plan to select citizens whose homes or business places are in the outlying districts where regular police protection is insufficient; also to appoint well known men in all classes for special police work in closer-in communities because many of them are in a position to observe violations wl'liCh escape the patrolmen on the beat. Many prominent men—professional and business men and others who have retired from active life—have taken a lively interest in this plan. They have undertaken the study of police problems and the knowledge obtained by them from personal observations has furnished the police with valuable information and assistance. In nowise did they interfere with police work. Not one of the complaints filed by them concerning crime or ordinance violation had to do with a patrolman or a police de tective. STATISTICS OF VALUE The amazing growth of Los Angeles has not been marked ly a serious increase in crime and violations of ordinances.