Category Archives: LAPD

Police Commission Studies Regulation of Prostitution

Posted on July 11, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 11, 1889: One of the best things about the 1880s newspapers is that The Times wrote about everything. One of the more controversial issues before the Police Commission is what to do with all the prostitutes in Los Angeles. … Continue reading →

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Officer Arrests Boy, 7, in Burglary

Posted on July 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 8, 1899: Officer Ziegler arrests a couple of youngsters in the theft of some tools. "Officer Ziegler holds the record for being a terror to small boys," The Times says. "All lawbreakers look alike to him, regardless of age, … Continue reading →

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Policewoman Admits Perjury in Brenda Allen Case; Jive-Talking Sports Scribe!

Posted on July 7, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 7, 1949: Charles Stoker surrenders his police badge to defense attorney S.S. Hahn after being accused of burglary by Policewoman Audre Davis. In this story, Davis admitted lying to win the conviction of Hollywood madam Brenda Allen. She accused … Continue reading →

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Fireworks Injuries

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1899: The Times tallies the injuries caused by Fourth of July fireworks … and in Fullerton, a Mexican named Gonzales is beaten for spitting on the flag.

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Fireworks Touch Off Numerous Blazes

Posted on July 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

   July 5, 1889: Firecrackers and rockets touch off numerous blazes around the city … a man is arrested for swearing at a driver who collided with his wagon. 

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Legislature Fails to Pass Budget; Mota Leads Dodgers

Posted on July 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 2, 1969: The Sacramento debating society recesses without passing a budget. Why is crime down? Police credit the Neighborhood Watch program. Photograph by Steve Dykes / Los Angeles Times Feb. 13, 1992: Dodgers batting instructor Matty Mota, left, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dodgers, Downtown, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Sports | 1 Comment

New High Street Wants Prostitutes

Posted on July 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1889: Property owners circulate a petition urging the City Council to put all the prostitutes New High Street. View Larger Map

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Woman, Baby Hurt in Bike Crash

Posted on June 27, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 27, 1899: The Times published many stories about fires that were started by gasoline stoves. Given the primitive nature of firefighting at the time, the results were often tragic.   June 27, 1899: A woman with her baby … Continue reading →

Posted in 1899, Downtown, LAPD | 1 Comment

Police Raid Colored Republican Club

Posted on June 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Dec. 15, 1887: Effie Smith, a prostitute on Los Angeles Street, burns to death. She took a dose of morphine and lapsed into unconsciousness after lighting a cigarette. I found this item while trying to determine the location of … Continue reading →

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Grand Jury Vice Probe! Gilmore Field Expanded

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Put That Pistol Down, Young Lady."   Keith's 1949 post on Gilmore Field has dropped us in the middle of an extremely complicated grand jury investigation of the Los Angeles Police Department. To summarize: Officers James Parslow, Thomas C. Lindholm … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Comics, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Sports, Stage, Suicide | 1 Comment

City May Cut Police Overtime

Posted on June 25, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 25, 1899: A City Council committee weighs the complicated issue of police salaries. Some officers complain that their duties require more than an eight-hour workday. Another issue is whether travel time to get to their beats should be included … Continue reading →

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Nuestro Pueblo: Central Jail

Posted on June 23, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 23, 1939: I think this is my favorite "Nuestro Pueblo" so far. The dialogue could come right out of some 1930s movie. Interestingly enough, the text was completely rewritten for the book.

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Veteran Burglar Convicted Again

Posted on June 22, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 22, 1899: Adjusted for inflation, these suits cost $51.10-$102.20. I was curious as to what "door key nippers" might be. Evidently they were some type of lock-picking device. I found this story: Feb. 16, 1903: "Stealing was going on … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, LAPD | 1 Comment

GOP Unbeatable, Nixon Says!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 20, 1959: This Isn't Any Laughing Matter, Ted." The newspapers of the 1950s are full of stories about callous police officers (usually the LAPD, sometimes Beverly Hills) handing out traffic tickets. It must have been quite a phenomenon. Richard … Continue reading →

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Drunks and Small Boys in Trouble!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch
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Officer Rescues Girl From Streetcar Tracks!

Posted on June 20, 2009 by lmharnisch

Siegel the Hatter at 1st and Spring. June 20, 1889: Police Officer Church saves a life.

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Paul V. Coates — Confidential File, June 19, 1959

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

Confidential File A Quiet Man Made Noisy Headlines Herbert Greenwood, the quiet man, made loud headlines yesterday. He announced his resignation from the Los Angeles Police Commission, and in the same breath, accused this city's police department and its chief, … Continue reading →

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Body of Missing Executive Found; Nolan Ryan’s Close Call With History

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

  June 18, 1959, the introduction of Charlie Brown's sister Sally begins a story line  about the the births of children that quickly turns dark. June 19, 1979: In 20 years, "Peanuts" has become a sitcom, mildly amusing in a … Continue reading →

Posted in Comics, Dodgers, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Sports | 4 Comments

LAPD Detective Killed in Raid

Posted on June 19, 2009 by lmharnisch

The Times, June 19, 1921: Detective John Fitzgerald is shot in the stomach at 2392 W. 30th St., where police had returned for evidence after arresting six men on burglary charges. Despite his wounds (the bullet went through him and … Continue reading →

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Police Commissioner Quits in Battle With Police Chief!

Posted on June 18, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 18, 1959: Ethel Barrymore dies. The only African American member of the Police Commission resigns, accusing Chief William H. Parker of leading a department that "whitewashes policemen accused of brutality, and practices discrimination in arrests." Greenwood further charges that … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Countdown to Watts, LAPD, Paul Coates | 2 Comments