Category Archives: LAPD

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 4

Posted on March 13, 2010 by lmharnisch

Sept. 8, 1959: This is the fourth part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice.  Part 1 is here. Part … Continue reading →

Posted in #Jazz, books, LAPD, Music | Comments Off on Hearing on the Gas House, Part 4

Lawmakers Defeat Attempt to Ban Death Penalty

Posted on March 10, 2010 by lmharnisch

“I’ve Got to Live With Myself!”   March 10, 1960: The Senate Judiciary Committee kills Gov. Pat Brown’s effort to repeal the death penalty. Although Caryl Chessman is the pressing issue in the question of capital punishment, his name is … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Comics, Film, Hollywood, JFK, LAPD, Richard Nixon, Sports | Comments Off on Lawmakers Defeat Attempt to Ban Death Penalty

Black Dahlia on Display

Posted on March 9, 2010 by lmharnisch

  One of many mistakes in the Black Dahlia poster from “Behind-the-Scenes: The LAPD Homicide Experience.” Notice that the location is wrong – the body was actually half a block away. Note: Most of the media’s attention to the LAPD’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | 5 Comments

Police Kill Unmuzzled Dogs Under New Rabies Law

Posted on March 8, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 8, 1910: In response to concerns about rabies, city officials give police permission to kill any dog that isn’t wearing a muzzle as required by a new law. The Times describes thousands of loose dogs that will soon … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, LAPD | Comments Off on Police Kill Unmuzzled Dogs Under New Rabies Law

Rabies Epidemic

Posted on March 7, 2010 by lmharnisch

March 7, 1910: Mad dogs roam the streets of Los Angeles, terrifying people until police officers shoot the rabid animals. Remind me again about the past being a kinder, simpler time. The Broadway tunnel used to be just north of … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, LAPD | Comments Off on Rabies Epidemic

LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Posted on March 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

“The Days of Real Sport,” by Clare Briggs.   March 5, 1920: Police Chief Home appeals to the City Council for 300 more officers because so many have been transferred to the Central Division from more rural areas. Recall the … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on LAPD Chief Wants More Officers

Everyone Can Find Prostitutes Except the LAPD

Posted on March 3, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 3, 1910: Everybody in Los Angeles can find the city’s brothels – except the police, The Times says. Especially that place at 316 1/2 S. Spring St. There’s more on the jump, plus the crazy “Pawnshop Wife” … … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, LAPD | 1 Comment

Higgins Building to Add Two Floors

Posted on March 2, 2010 by lmharnisch

  March 1, 1910:  Thomas Higgins is adding two floors to his building at 2nd and Main streets. A century later, downtown hipsters will thank him! On the jump, police make a terrible blunder in putting officers in Chinatown back … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Downtown, LAPD | Comments Off on Higgins Building to Add Two Floors

Officer’s Shot Saves Partner’s Life

Posted on February 26, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 26, 1960: Gov. Pat Brown will answer questions about granting a reprieve to Caryl Chessman … and on skid row, Officer V.P. Farmer shoots an ex-convict who is holding a gun to the head of Officer Ernest Searles … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Caryl Chessman, Downtown, LAPD, Television | Comments Off on Officer’s Shot Saves Partner’s Life

New Chief Shakes Up Police Department

Posted on February 24, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 24, 1910: This was one of those days when it was impossible to pick  one story over the others. New Police Chief Alexander Galloway orders a cleanup of the notoriously filthy City Jail … officials report a new … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on New Chief Shakes Up Police Department

Police Urge Ban on Women Drivers

Posted on February 23, 2010 by lmharnisch

“The Saddest Scene,” by Clare Briggs.     Feb. 23, 1920: Los Angeles is the deadliest city in the nation for pedestrians, The Times says. Solution? Ban women drivers because women account for more than 30 percent of the fatalities, says … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on Police Urge Ban on Women Drivers

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 2

Posted on February 21, 2010 by lmharnisch

    Sept. 8, 1959: This is the second part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice.  Part 1 is … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, books, LAPD, Nightclubs | Comments Off on Hearing on the Gas House, Part 2

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 20, 1960

Posted on February 20, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Legal Revenge Not Dead Yet     I read Gov. Brown's reasons for giving Caryl Chessman a 60-day reprieve yesterday, but I'm not sure that I believe them.     He indicated that he felt  the climate in California had changed … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, Caryl Chessman, Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 20, 1960

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 17, 1960

Posted on February 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

It's Machiavellian in a Simple Way     Until last week, Al Linenberger was just like you.  He was a hard-working family man, active in community affairs.  A model citizen.     At least, he thought he was.  Certainly, he didn't suspect … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, LAPD, Paul Coates | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Feb. 17, 1960

Crackdown on Gambling in Chinatown

Posted on February 17, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 17, 1910: The legal fight escalates between police and business owners over gambling in Chinatown. Note the reference to Sgt. Charles Sebastian, who became police chief in 1911 and mayor in 1915.

Posted in #courts, City Hall, LAPD | Comments Off on Crackdown on Gambling in Chinatown

New LAPD Chief Takes Office

Posted on February 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

   Feb. 16, 1910: Police Chief Alexander Galloway receives his badge and is told that it will allow him free passage on all the streetcars. The chief says that if a conductor insists, he’ll pay rather than risk getting into … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Transportation | Comments Off on New LAPD Chief Takes Office

Businessman Chosen as LAPD Chief

Posted on February 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  Feb. 15, 1910: Los Angeles gets a new police chief, Alexander Galloway, a former railroad executive with no law enforcement experience. “Chief Galloway is about 55 years of age, of Scotch descent. He is not a typical policeman in … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Film, Food and Drink, LAPD, Stage | Comments Off on Businessman Chosen as LAPD Chief

Mayor Seeks Money for More Police Officers

Posted on February 15, 2010 by lmharnisch

  “Who’s Afraid of Ghost Stories?” by R.F. Outcault. Feb. 15, 1920: City officials say they desperately need more police officers but don’t have the money for their salaries. The Times suggests an answer – in a news story rather … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, City Hall, Comics, LAPD | Comments Off on Mayor Seeks Money for More Police Officers

Hearing on the Gas House, Part 1

Posted on February 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

     Sept. 8, 1959: This is the first part of a transcript of testimony by “Holy Barbarians” author Lawrence Lipton before the the Los Angeles Police Commission on the Gas House, the Beat hangout in Venice. I’ll be posting … Continue reading →

Posted in books, LAPD, Music, Nightclubs | 2 Comments

Officers Suspended Over Prostitution Investigation

Posted on February 14, 2010 by lmharnisch

“Florodora” is at the Grand Operahouse.   The “Florodora” girls are in town and “A Clubman” catches up with them – or tries to.    Feb. 14, 1910:  Police Officers Bowman and Whaling were suspended after reporting a brothel on Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in City Hall, Food and Drink, LAPD, Nightclubs, Stage | Comments Off on Officers Suspended Over Prostitution Investigation