Category Archives: LAPD

Jack ‘the Enforcer’ Whalen Killed

Posted on December 3, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Times brings out an extra on Whalen’s death. Photograph by the Los Angeles Times The body of Jack “the Enforcer” Whalen lies on the floor on Rondelli’s restaurant.   TALES FROM THE GANGSTER SQUAD Death of 'the Enforcer' … Continue reading →

Posted in Homicide, LAPD, Mickey Cohen | Comments Off on Jack ‘the Enforcer’ Whalen Killed

Singer Pleads Not Guilty to Soliciting

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

Akron has remote-control dachshunds — “a zany plaything.” Johnnie Ray says he just invited a friendly undercover officer up to his room for a nightcap. Nothing indecent about that. Mr. Flynn, would you like gold plating on that nude statue … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, #gays and lesbians, books, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Music, Rock 'n' Roll, Sports, Transportation | 1 Comment

Three Pros Hold Up Bank

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Times illustrates the  holdup with a cutaway drawing of the bank. One of the bank robbers looked like a “hop head” or drug fiend, The Times says.  Dec. 2, 1919: “The robbery, according to veteran detectives, was planned … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Robberies | Comments Off on Three Pros Hold Up Bank

Homeowner Captures Burglar After Struggle

Posted on December 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 2, 1909: William Mulholland says the aqueduct from Owens Valley will be done a year ahead of schedule.   The East Adams Boulevard neighborhood via Google maps street view. Dec. 2, 1909: Romeo E. Ellithorp [or Ellithorpe]  and … Continue reading →

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LAPD Disputes FBI Crime Statistics

Posted on December 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 1, 1959: You may recall that there was mutual animosity between FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Police Chief William H. Parker. One reason was that Parker thought the bureau’s national crime statistics were inaccurate and distorted Los … Continue reading →

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Drug Addicts Blamed for Crime Wave

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Ninety-nine percent of the present series of holdups, burglaries, armed robberies and other deeds of violence being committed nightly in this city and sometimes referred too as the 'crime wave' are the work of drug fiends seeking to get narcotics … Continue reading →

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New Symphony Uses Car Horn

Posted on November 30, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 30, 1909: Perhaps you thought George Gershwin was the first composer to use car horns in a piece of music (“American in Paris”). But no. August Bungert uses an auto horn in his new symphonic work, “Zeppelin’s First … Continue reading →

Posted in classical music, LAPD, Music | 1 Comment

Men in Blue Auto Sought in Attempted Kidnappings

Posted on November 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

“Somebody Is Always Taking the Joy Out of Life” by Clare Briggs. Nov. 29, 1919: For the fourth time in a month, two men in a blue car have tried to kidnap Mrs. Blanche Fisher, 2343 Scarff St., while she … Continue reading →

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An Unlucky Address

Posted on November 28, 2009 by lmharnisch

   Nov. 28, 1919: A nervy bandit. May 12, 1924: More trouble at 824 Francisco St.   March 4, 1932: Even more trouble near 824 Francisco St.   Nov. 28, 1919: A nervy bandit orders a woman out of her … Continue reading →

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Thanksgiving Fireworks

Posted on November 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Fireworks for Thanksgiving – in Venice. Nov. 25, 1919: Officer O.P. Torres arrests E.F. Keele after fighting on a hotel fire escape about 100 feet above the sidewalk at 4th Street and Main.

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L.A. Disc Jockeys Turn Down Payola

Posted on November 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Nov. 24, 1959: KMPC’s Dick Whittinghill turned down $25, but says “I can’t sit in front of the chimney on Christmas Eve with a shotgun.” Bachelor Johnny Grant says he was offered “favorable attention from a young woman.” Robert Lee … Continue reading →

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Found on EBay – Ann Toth Letters

Posted on November 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  A lot of letters written to Ann Toth, who was the roommate of Elizabeth Short – the Black Dahlia, were listed on EBay. The vendor carefully noted that the letters were from the 1950s to the 1970s, rather than … Continue reading →

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November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

As Senators Write to Indignant Taxpayers While we’re all gathered here together, in this smoke-filled room, I’d like to say a few words in behalf of politicians. They are our friends.  Behind that stodgy facade that they put up, they’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1959, Columnists, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Parks and Recreation, Paul Coates | Comments Off on November 18, 1959: Paul V. Coates – Confidential File

Three Sought in Robbery, Killing

Posted on November 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dance tonight at the Roma, 616 S. Hill St.      Nov. 18, 1919: The housekeeper of a downtown rooming house is sought in the robbery and murder of the proprietor, W. Frank Sheets, and police are also looking … Continue reading →

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Father Seizes Daughter in Child Custody Dispute

Posted on November 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 17, 1909: The courts and the police grapple with a child custody case after a father seizes his 2-year-old daughter and refuses to say where she’s been hidden, based on advice from his attorney. 

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Matt Weinstock, Nov. 10, 1959

Posted on November 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  The Satirizing Americans     The persons probably most amused by the movie and TV stereotype of the American Indian are the scores of Indians themselves now working in industry in the L.A. area.     Many of them take a … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, Columnists, LAPD, Matt Weinstock | 1 Comment

Woman Whistles for a Cop

Posted on November 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 10, 1909: Hope Whittaker, who works until midnight as a cashier at the Peking Cafe, carries a police whistle in case of emergencies and used it when accosted by Eric Eich. Officer Blaisdell arrested Eich after Whittaker said: … Continue reading →

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Yet Another Killer Dad in the Black Dahlia Case

Posted on November 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

The front page of the Los Angeles Examiner, Jan.  25, 1947. The only message ever confirmed to be from the Black Dahlia’s killer. With the publication of Steve Hodel’s “Black Dahlia Avenger” and “Most Evil,” I assumed that the market … Continue reading →

Posted in broadcasting, Homicide, LAPD, Television | 1 Comment

The Case of the Thankful Thief

Posted on November 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 8, 1909: The yearly season of petty crimes opens in Los Angeles, according to The Times, with a burglar who ate half a loaf of bread, some peach preserves and helped himself to $3 in a savings bank. … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, Robberies, Suicide | 2 Comments

Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses

Posted on November 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Successful businessmen use the Dictaphone. Great lettering, no?   Nov. 5, 1919: The City Council gives police officers and firefighters a raise and the attempts to unionize the Police Department collapse.

Posted in City Hall, LAPD, Politics, Science | Comments Off on Council OKs Raises for Police, Firefighters; Union Effort Collapses