Staff
L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore recently expressed serious concern about the alarming number of recent shootings and homicides that are plaguing communities within L.A. County. Moore’s comments came during the Dec. 5 meeting of the L.A. Board of Police Commissioners, the civilian-run body that oversees the department.
“After some eight-plus months of being in the negative on both [shootings and homicides], we saw that trend begin to change in September, October, and November,” the police chief said.
Moore mentioned the tragic shooting incident at L.A. Live on November 28th. The incident took place at Fixins Soul Kitchen, a restaurant located within the downtown entertainment complex.
“A gunman went into a restaurant at the L.A. Live area and brutally assassinated, for lack of a better term—walked right up to an individual who sat alone at the bar area and without any provocation or exchange, shot and killed this man and then fled,” he explained.
While Moore emphasized this specific incident, he also indicated that homicide investigators will continue to concentrate on individuals involved in such crimes.
Regarding property crimes, Moore highlighted the achievements of the Organized Retail Theft Task Force. Launched in August, the police chief stated that the task force has made over 346 arrests, seized approximately 20 firearms, executed 86 search warrants, and recovered more than $1.2 million in stolen property.
Chief Moore also pointed out that task force investigators actively monitor smash-and-grab-style robberies occurring beyond Los Angeles. They collaborate with partner agencies to identify individuals believed to be traveling across Southern California to commit these crimes.
“Our investigative efforts are identifying and bringing these individuals before the criminal justice system,” the chief added. “We are seeing the district attorney’s office, as well as the state attorney general, filing felony counts and holding these individuals responsible.”