MURDER-SUICIDE AT UCLA
On Thursday morning at UCLA, an unnamed man shot and killed a well-liked 39-year-old engineering professor, William S. Klug, and then killed himself. The gunman has not yet been identified. Klug was described by those who knew him as a loving father, who taught his son’s Little League team, and exemplified “courage, loyalty, and character.”
As early news traveled across campus that shots had been fired, students and law enforcement feared an active shooter situation.
The LA Times Editorial Board says that once news broke that it was a murder-suicide, and not another high-casualty campus shooting rampage, America shrugged off the all-too-common firearm tragedy. Here’s a clip:
The massive police and emergency response proved unnecessary, but there was no way the LAPD could have known that when the panicked call came in. And this is where we are – the anticipation that a shooting on a college campus was going to turn out to be a mass tragedy, and that a major city’s law enforcement response is geared up for that eventuality.
In this case, it was only two dead. Murder-suicide in a small office. And so America shrugs. Just another incident in the daily parade of gun violence that defines contemporary America. And so two families, and two circles of friends, and a community of students and faculty are left to their grief, and their confusion, and maybe a touch more fear than usual at the recognition that violence can and will strike so close to home.
Ultimately, we should be glad this was a tragedy for fewer people than feared when the phrase “campus shooting” first popped up on screens. But that society will just shrug this off is tragic in its own way. That the nation accepts gun violence as commonplace, as a reasonable trade-off for some romanticized view of every gun owner as a soldier against tyranny, is the continuing tragedy.
And so the deaths will mount.
For more information on the shooting, head over to KPCC.
SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS TO COMPTON’S RISING HOMICIDE NUMBERS
So far in 2016, there have been three times as many murders in Compton as there were this time last year. Nearly half—seven—of those killings occurred in May, alone.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the majority of the murders have been gang-related.
Last September, the US Department of Justice announced that Compton as one of five cities that would receive two years of help from the feds, through a program called the Violence Reduction Network. Through the program, the sheriff’s department (which has jurisdiction over Compton) is receiving, personnel, and other support to reduce gun violence, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes.
So far this year, Oakland—another city that has received assistance from the feds via the Violence Reduction Network—has reduced homicide by 40% compared with the same period last year. Other cities have had similar successes, with the exception of Chicago, where gun violence numbers are up 50% this year.
In response to the murder spike, the LASD has increased the number of deputies deployed to Compton and launched a campaign calling on community members to call in tips.
The LA Times’ Nicole Santa Cruz and Angel Jennings have more on the issue. Here are some clips:
The violence threatens to undo some of the progress the city has made in recent years to shed an image that has been associated with gangs and crime. And the shootings are testing a pledge made by federal authorities in October to help the city curb crime by providing extra resources to “make meaningful and long-lasting improvements to the daily lives of Compton residents.” At the time, the announcement of federal help was hailed as a “game-changer” by Compton Mayor Aja Brown.
At a town hall meeting last week, city and local law enforcement officials reassured anxious residents that they were doing all they could to combat the problem. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department says it has boosted patrols. And city leaders said the federal program, the Violence Reduction Network, has already begun providing much-needed training and resources that will help deter crime.
“We want people to know that we’re looking out for you,” said Satra Zurita, a local school board member who is helping the city manage the federal program. Zurita and her sister, City Councilwoman Janna Zurita, knew the mother of one of the recent homicide victims. “It hits very close to home.”
[SNIP]
In Compton, Satra Zurita said the federal partnership has helped get some “gang-bangers, pimps and young girls off the street.” The attention of multiple agencies, such as the Department of Justice, the FBI and the district attorney’s office is positive, “because you are communicating and resources match up,” she said.
Recently, the city applied for a $1-million grant from the Justice Department that would provide technology that detects and pinpoints the location of gunshots when they occur and youth intervention services over three years. In addition, Compton is working on an application for a smaller grant that would offer training for authorities who deal with those who are mentally ill.
“People think that the [federal program] comes and cures all,” Zurita said. “But what it does is provide expertise and resources, and that helps in the long run.”
The recent violence has yet to hit the levels seen more than a decade ago, when Compton recorded more than 70 killings in a single year. Since then, homicides have fallen dramatically. Last year’s tally of 13 killings was the lowest in more than a decade, according to figures provided by the Sheriff’s Department.
After the LASD took over the job of policing Compton in 2000, after the Compton Police Department was shut down by the City Council.
There is no clear answer as to why homicide numbers have surged this year,
but CityLab’s Brentin Mock says ongoing sheriff’s department scandals likely aren’t helping to build community trust.
Mock also points out that while the grant money from the federal program was supposed to go to youth intervention services, it’s not clear how much of the grant is being spent on policing Compton, versus bolstering youth programs. Youth Justice Coalition and other advocates have called for more funding to help LA’s at-risk kids succeed through education, employment, mentoring, rehabilitation, and other much-needed programs and services.
Here’s a clip from the CityLab story:
In 2015, Compton received a $1 million grant when it was selected to become one of the pilot cities for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Violence Reduction Network. This means more money, equipment, and trainings on how police can pinpoint or even predict where shootings are likely to happen to help target their monitoring practices. Beyond the sheriff’s department, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration are all setting up shop in Compton, a city of fewer than 100,000 residents.
The L.A. Times reports that this also means more funding for youth intervention services. However, neither the sheriff’s department nor the federal agencies have been forthcoming about how much funding is going towards policing versus youth programs.
That lack of transparency is troubling given the historical distrust between communities of color and police, which the L.A. county sheriffs have not done much to change. Some believe that the homicide reports are being played up as a ploy to justify the further militarizing of a police force in ways that might further incense these communities. Compton’s murder rate may have tripled since last year, but the 15 killings in the city this year is far below what the landscape looked like a few decades ago, when homicide numbers were closer to 100 annually.
Hamid Khan, campaign coordinator for the Stop LAPD Spying Coalition, tells CityLab that such murder reports entail “a certain level of sensationalism.”
“When talking about the levels of violence, we have to look at how many resources are allocated to policing the community as opposed to what’s provided for what public safety really looks like for these communities,” says Khan. “More money is budgeted for policing versus how much money is budgeted for youth programs, but [Compton is] still being written about like we’re back in the ‘80s again.”
LA COUNTY SUPES STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO DRAW IN RELATIVE CAREGIVERS AS END TO LONG-TERM FOSTER CARE GROUP HOMES LOOMS
On Tuesday, the LA County Board of Supervisors passed a motion to explore ways to increase the number of relative caregivers and boost family members’ engagement in the lives of kids in foster care.
The motion, submitted by Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Hilda Solis, directs the head of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Interim Chief Probation Officer, in collaboration with the Office of Child Protection and the courts, to look at what’s working elsewhere in the nation (like partnerships with community-based organizations), in order to develop family-finding programs.
The board’s proactivity on this issue is particularly important as the state starts to roll out major child welfare reforms, including the elimination of long-term group homes. Relative caregivers will likely become crucial to the new law’s successful implementation.
The Chronicle of Social Change’s Jeremy Loudenback has the story. Here’s a clip:
Supervisor Sheila Kuehl and others point to evidence that shows that living with relatives or other non-related extended family members can have behavioral and educational benefits for children, as well as an increased likelihood of permanency.
“I want the first placement to be the best placement,” Kuehl said. “The reason I want to move it up in time so that we’re looking right away for relatives and appropriate family friends is that the children are already seriously traumatized by the removal. If there are any family members or family friends that they have a connection with, we can really mitigate those traumatic events.”
Under the sweeping congregate-care reforms (CCR) outlined in Assembly Bill 403, California is poised to restructure the way it provides care to the nearly 58,000 children in its child-welfare system. Starting in 2017, California counties will be encouraged to seek family-like settings for these children. Instead of group home placements, children will be placed with foster families or in short-term residential treatment centers when clinically necessary.
In the near future, that means the county must find more homes for these children. Los Angeles County hopes to it can make up the difference with more relative caregivers, an area where it has seen some success.
According to data from the California Child Welfare Indicators Project at U.C. Berkeley, almost 44 percent of children in the county’s child welfare system were living in the home of a relative at of the start of the year.
This number is well above the national average of 29 percent and the state average of 36 percent.
“We want all kids to be placed with relatives if at all possible,” DCFS Director Philip Browning said. “Congregate care reform is going to require that we be much more sensitive to making placements with relatives.”
WILL THE SENATE APPROVE A BAN ON JUVENILE SOLITARY CONFINEMENT?
Today, the California Senate is scheduled to vote on SB 1143, a bill that would end solitary confinement for kids locked in juvenile detention facilities.
The bill would block guards from using isolation as a punishment, for convenience’s sake, or as a way to coerce kids, and would limit “room confinement” to four hours. Confinement would only become an option after other, less restrictive options had been exhausted (except when using those alternatives would put kids or staff in danger).
The bill, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) is supported both by juvenile and criminal justice reform advocates and the probation chiefs’ union.
A similar bill, also from Sen. Leno, died in committee last year. Last month, LA County moved to drastically restrict the use of solitary confinement in juvenile camps. Proponents hope that the move will influence the state legislature to pass the revived bill.
“This bill protects the basic human rights and dignity of youth residing in local jails and juvenile camps,” said Leno. “It also protects public safety by ensuring that youth get the educational and rehabilitative opportunities they need to come home with the best chance of success in life.”
In an op-ed for the Sacramento Bee, Mark Bonini, president of Chief Probation Officers of California, and Sue Burrell, the policy and training director at the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, explain why this bill, which took five years of negotiating for consensus between advocates and corrections officials, is such a crucial step toward protecting vulnerable kids. Here’s a clip:
SB 1143 is the product of five years of robust and sometimes challenging dialogue. At first, we disagreed about terminology and the operational impacts of the bill. But it became increasingly apparent that all of us were more concerned with the greater purpose, and by listening to one another, we were able to develop a mutually satisfactory set of best practices.
The bill creates a statewide definition for room confinement in county and state juvenile correctional facilities – the placement of a youth in a sleeping room or cell alone with minimal contact from staff. The bill also calls for such confinement only being used after less restrictive options have been attempted, unless there is a threat to the safety or security of staff or other juveniles.
It is generally limited to four hours and requires that specific steps be taken to reintegrate the young person back into regular confinement as soon as possible. Finally, the bill bans the use of room confinement as punishment or convenience or when it compromises the mental and physical health of the young person.
As a citizen of LA County, I support Law Enforcement. I can answer your question Celeste in regards to the rise in Homicides. You and the current Administration are the problem. Hard working Police Officers seldom roust gang members anymore. They seldom make proactive observation arrests anymore. Why you ask, people like you scrutinize their every move and breath taken. No arrests or rousts (prob a bad way to describe what they do but it’s necessary) equal guns and drugs on the street and in my neighborhood. I read this blog often and see Celeste, how you praise proposition 47. That is the worst thing that could have ever happened to this State. I see drug induced zombies walking around my neighborhood at all hours. These people should be in jail. And if you think they are just nice folks getting high, having a great time. Think again. They are comitting crime which impacts all of us. Celeste, I’m sure your opinion of the current State of affairs in regards to Law Enforcement would change in you were a victim or had it at your front door. I have plenty of it and am willing to loan you some if you want to experience it first hand. Go bless each and every Peace Officer on this blog. Celeste, you need to be re-programmed, your ideals are what’s wrong with America.
Re: UCLA – I am puzzled how the shooter was able to bring a loaded firearm onto campus. The Progressives have deemed all school campuses nation-wide, to be Gun Free Zones. There was absolutely no logical reason for this shooting to have occurred. The students absolutely overreacted by tying belts to doors, turning off lights and otherwise, barricading themselves inside their classrooms. After all, this was a Safe Zone campus, everyone was surely convinced nothing like this could ever happen at UCLA, all the happy talk was for not. As far as the suspect, he will be labeled in some manner as a victim in all of this. His family and those that knew him will say this is of no surprise, they knew it was only a matter of time, but they were so concerned with his feelings and did not want to stigmatize him with a labe of being a ding, they just overlooked his signs of violent mental illness and just wanted him to be happy and be an equal, no one is at fault.
Re: Compton; the administration of this grant is so laughable, it is the Progressive answer to all urban violence and none of it is working. They can’t figure it out, perhaps they simply did not throw enough money at the bullshit “shot spotter” technology? That’s it, more technology less enforcement. Someone got rich on this grant that isn’t working. “Feel good” responses to gang violence has a 100% track record of failure, always had, always will. I will let someone with Compton Station insider info explain what the real LASD strategy to yet another chapter of Compton violence has really been, who is providing executive oversight and what clueless manager is saying no to the experienced warrior. I’m sure some pinhead will bamboozle his/her way into a promotion behind this.
John Q. Wow, I had no idea there were people like you who actually see the big picture. Sir, you are spot on. Remember, we and our departments have made some serious mistakes that have justified some of the communities feelings and the media’s reporting. However, people in the media have portrayed the false text that the police are the main cause for our communities ills. Holding the community accountable would not sell papers and advertising space. The media LOVES when the community is at odds with it’s police. It sells and their pockets get lined. How the media people look themselves in the mirror is beyond me. There is no true unbiased media anymore, only biased commentary. It’s truly sickening and the entire industry should be ashamed.
I agree with most everything here minus the shot at Celeste. Real big picture is she publishes time and time again for better or worst about things most people would dismiss.
We weren’t mad at her when she nailed Tanaka and Baca. People still sympathize with those clowns. Baca continues to show more cowardice and disassociation about the operation HE DIRECTED.
She doesn’t spike your comments when you write foul comments. Why? Because it is a true exercise of the 1st Amendment, and something not all journalist subject themselves to. Reexamine it from that perspective and you might find something more American than a bitter rant from a bitter person with a pocket full of bitter experiences with people.
Writing trash on a comment thread is no different than writing a gang on the bathroom wall. Its low rent and brings you down to their level, but its hard to see that when you are better than everyone. I bet you “X” her name out too…… Classy.
The only time the City of Compton murder rate was down is when the department sent additional personnel into that area. More bodies less crime/murders. Executives made the choice to move the bodies from other areas and saturate Compton. All of this was done for FREE. Compton never paid for the 100 or more that were sent to the city. Once the deputies are moved out everything falls apart.
Hey Jack, I can’t count how many posts I’ve had deleted on here. No cursing, no insults, just calling bias BS out. Save your kiss ass comments towards me until you know the whole truth. If you can’t see the media bias that’s playing a huge role in our destruction, then you’re completely blind.
Gun free zones, especially those advertised as gun free zones, only benefit the criminals as their victims are sitting ducks. Being sworn I always carry! I will not frequent businesses or sporting events that restrict me from carrying, as there is an increased chance a suspect won’t comply with gun free zones eg Aurora, CO.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Dear “Ownership,”
As nearly as I can tell, I’ve let 88 of your comments through and never deleted anything, even one I likely should have.
If you believe otherwise, send me an example.
Most people who believe they’ve been deleted unfairly email me and it usually turns out that they’ve run afoul of the spam assassin and I’m able to rescue their comments.
You are welcome to do the same.
C.
Gang violence in Compton? Hard to believe. I was at a Gang Task Force meeting there in 2001, when then Lt. Shaun Mathers said the total eradication of gang violence in Compton was the number one priority. Shaun, what happened? Thought you had the problem solved. Was suprised to hear that gang violence in Compton had not been eradicated. I understand the prostitution problem on Long Beach Blvd has continued as well.
Proved my point and you are liar. Somebody disagreed with you and you break the drive by mentality out.
Not to mention, the folks that always say if you only knew what I knew. Don’t know it.
Ahhhhh. The Ol’ Spam Assassin. Ummm ya….. Ok
America is not shrugging off the UCLA murder-suicide because it didn’t involve a greater number of people. Everyone I’ve talked to thinks it is very sad and feels the greatest sympathy for the families. However, using it as a forum for more gun control rhetoric shows that you aren’t so concerned for the victim as you are for making this another anti-gun political statement. Restricting guns will never protect law-abiding citizens. People can always get illegal guns, knives, or other deadly weapons.
Jack…. Grow up. Drive by…. Really?!?… Read my initial post. I never mentioned Celeste as an individual. I called the media industry out. Not you, not her but the industry as a whole. You spewed insults our way in defense of Celeste. Apparently you feel her “taking down” Banaka gives her and her entire industry a free pass . Well Son, I remember them giving Leroy a free pass for 14 years when all us ol farts knew he was tearing down the department starting his 1st month.
Oh and Jack, when did I lie??? I’ve had very articulate posts deleted. Celeste claims some spam assassination??? Really Brother?? Wake up
Ownership, her statement about her spam filter catching postings is righteous. I can tell you from personal experience it happened to me. I contacted her, she looked and posted my statement. You have to really get out of line to have a post 10-22’d, but it is her right. Celeste has given us a forum to speak our mind, blow off steam, even say some stupid shit. We can’t thank her enough for the light she has shined on the cockroaches named Baca and Tanaka and the conduits she has provided. To my knowledge, she has never compromised her journalistic integrity. She has protected her sources.
Hi Celeste.
Maybe you can check into how much money the Sheriff’s department spent on the running man challenge video. So much personnel there. Why can’t they work tsb. We can’t even get a gun/Narco dog, but they are available for a video. We need training not music videos. They fire deputies for lack of training. What’s going on. Celeste there are a lot of good deputies who work hard everyday they come to work. The ones in the video seem so happy. They all probably have desk jobs. Not having to work overtime or get drafted. Maybe you can write a story about lasd morale. All time low.
I am sure you can get a couple of deputies to give you insight. I mean the sheriff wants transparency right.
From Calling it a spade: “The Progressives have deemed all school campuses nation-wide, to be Gun Free Zones.” While I personally believe the notion of a gun free zone to be idiotic, it has been discovered in many school shootings there was no “Gun Free Zone” or anything like it in play. It was the fabrication of NRA nitwits, not an actual declaration from any local political body. Just another useless strawman, drawn up to score cheap political points during tragedies.
Boo hoo for UCLA!I mean sadly a man died cause some immigrant couldn’t accept that his mediocre a academic performance and business dealing weren’t allowed to ” slide”.
These are the SAME people that BAD mouth blacks andother minorities for ” sliding”.
Meanwhile brutal gang slayings continue in poorer neighborhoods and DON’T get 1/10th the response that this shooting did!
UCLA is a public school in name only- it caters more to foreign students and the affluent than it does the people who pay property taxes to keep this EXCLUSIVE ” state school ” running!!
Its sad that even USC – a slumming school of the wealthy, actually DOES MORE FOR THE POORER communities and has a higher percentage of AMERICAN born local minority students ..
I would say that in the current sheriff department most deputies show up to work only for the pay check. Very few deputies are out there detaining suspects based on reasonable suspicion alone, most supervisors are even afraid to sign probable cause declarations arrests, it appears they want the deputy to arrest only suspects believed of committing a crime beyond reasonable doubt. Unless the deputy is the suspect, then there will be no doubt the deputy will be guilty. The crime rise in Compton and the rest of the county will continue. The failure of the sheriff department is the failure of the leader, which is becoming more evident. Many deputies say they are afraid to go to work, fearing a mistake that can cost them their job and ending in jail. For that reason, deputies are not confronting criminals, and criminals know that, they know deputies are afraid.