Tag Archives: lapd

Saving L.A. History, One Page at a Time

Photo: The LAPD Daily Police Bulletin for Jan. 16, 1947, the day after the Black Dahlia’s body was found. Notice that the Dahlia isn’t mentioned. Credit: Larry Harnisch/LADailyMirror   My latest column for The Times is about Joan Renner and … Continue reading

Posted in History, LAPD | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Miles Corwin – ‘Midnight Alley’

The Daily Mirror stopped by Vroman’s in Pasadena on Sunday to hear our old friend and former Times colleague Miles Corwin discuss his latest book, “Midnight Alley.”

Posted in Books and Authors, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Black Dahlia – Los Angeles Police Historical Society

The Daily Mirror visited the Los Angeles Police Historical Society on Saturday and stopped in at the Black Dahlia exhibit.

Posted in 1946, Black Dahlia, Film, Hollywood, LAPD, Museums | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Changeling Stories — Part 1

Police Capt. Jones and LAPD officers search the lake in Lincoln Park for the body of Walter Collins, Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1928. The boy claiming to be Walter Collins poses with Christine Collins, Aug. 18, 1928 Several regular … Continue reading

Posted in 1928, Changeling, Crime and Courts, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Changeling Stories — Part 1

Found on EBay – Biscailuz Badge

An example of what is sometimes known as a “Biscailuz badge” has been listed on EBay. These are presentation badges that weren’t intended for deputies, but were only given to celebrities and other notables by Los Angeles County Sheriff Eugene … Continue reading

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Time Traveling With the L.A. Daily Mirror [Updated]

Photo: Pier Angeli and friend with a reminder on Daylight Saving Time, 1958 I decided to import my old lmharnisch blog, devoted mainly to dissecting “The Black Dahlia Files” by Donald “Fake Document” Wolfe. Now there are posts going back … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, 2008, 2009, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Donald Wolfe, Film, History, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Photography | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Bill James’ ‘Popular Crime’: Another Good Story Ruined

I have procrastinated about looking at Bill James’ “Popular Crime” because, as curious as it may seem, I don’t care much for “true” crime books. Even when they are well done (which is almost never) the subject matter is depressing … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, Another Good Story Ruined, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Donald Wolfe, History, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The FBI Thins Its Files

I had the strangest experience Saturday when I was going through Ernest Hemingway’s FBI file. I was sure the buro had posted Louis Armstrong’s dossier — it’s brief and not terribly interesting except for the fact that it exists. Or … Continue reading

Posted in 1947, African Americans, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, History, Homicide, LAPD, Libraries | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The FBI Thins Its Files

‘Zoot Suit’ and history – Part 1

I was extremely fortunate to attend Wednesday night’s showing of “Zoot Suit” and hear remarks by the panel that preceded the show. Betto Arcos moderated a session with director Luis Valdez, Rose Portillo (Della), Edward James Olmos (El Pachuco) and … Continue reading

Posted in 1942, 1943, 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Fashion, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Latinos, Music, Stage, Theaters, Zoot Suit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Architectural Rambling – The Van Griffith Estate

The Times Sunday Business section featured the former home of Van M. Griffith (d. 1974), the son of Griffith Park donor Colonel Griffith J. Griffith.  (For some reason, the early stories in The Times refer to him as “Dan Griffith” … Continue reading

Posted in 1925, Architecture, City Hall, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries, Politics, Real Estate, World War II | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

LAPD End of Watch, June 16, 1935

The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. For June 16,the union honors Alfred C. “Scotty” Madon, a motorcycle officer who was fatally injured on June … Continue reading

Posted in 1935, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged , | Comments Off on LAPD End of Watch, June 16, 1935

LAPD End of Watch, June 15, 1920

Dec. 23, 1915: LAPD motorcycle officers take delivery of 37 new Indian motorcycles, capable of 75 mph. The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League always honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. … Continue reading

Posted in 1911, 1915, 1920, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries, San Fernando Valley, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments Off on LAPD End of Watch, June 15, 1920

End of Watch, June 13, 1991

LAPD Officer Charles Randall “Randy” Champe LAPD Officer Gary Alan Howe The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League always honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. For June 13, the union features … Continue reading

Posted in 1991, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries | Tagged , | Comments Off on End of Watch, June 13, 1991

Immigrants Overwhelm San Diego!

San Diego has everything a family might want: A moderate climate and jobs in the expanding defense industries. But there’s no place to live.  Rep. John H. Tolan (D-Oakland) is holding hearings in San Diego on the plight of migrants … Continue reading

Posted in 1941, 1947, Black Dahlia, Books and Authors, Cold Cases, Crime and Courts, Environment, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Immigration, LAPD, San Diego, Transportation, World War II | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

July 30, 1938: Sex Crimes Clinic Opens

he search is on for a candidate to face Mayor Frank Shaw in the recall election. The Times story mentions Councilman Stephen W. Cunningham, but more important, it says that Judge Fletcher Bowron and Supervisor John Anson Ford “have indicated … Continue reading

Posted in Downtown, Freeways, Front Pages, LAPD, Politics, Transportation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Woman, boy strangled

Posted in Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

July 11, 1938

"I’m afraid you didn’t get my name. I’m a personal friendof the mayor," one caller said.  erhaps someone in LAPD communications will enjoy discovering that crackpots haven’t changed much in 70 years. Above, Howard C. Nutt takes the calls. At … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Front Pages, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on July 11, 1938

June 30, 1938

Rodney "Gipsy" (or "Gypsy") Smith, famous evangelist, takes a wife. He died in 1947 while sailing from England to New York on the Queen Mary. He was 87. APD "squadmen" (now there’s an interesting coinage) are questioned before a police … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, City Hall, Front Pages, LAPD, Religion | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on June 30, 1938

June 24, 1958

  t left, a nine-room home in an all-white neighborhood is heavily vandalized after being sold to an African American doctor and his family. The Times says vandals caused $15,000 ($109,315.53 USD 2007) damage to the newly redecorated home at … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Countdown to Watts, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

June 24, 1938

uestro Pueblo is a new discovery for me, and a very happy one. The Times began the feature by writer Joe Seewerker and artist Charles Owens in June 1938, publishing installments Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The series ended in October … Continue reading

Posted in #courts, Architecture, art and artists, books, City Hall, Downtown, Film, Front Pages, Hollywood, LAPD, Nuestro Pueblo | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments