the current

Month: March 2025

  • LASD 911 Outage Covered Up? System Crash Left Calls Unanswered, but It Never Made the Department Activity Log

    LASD 911 Outage Covered Up? System Crash Left Calls Unanswered, but It Never Made the Department Activity Log

    On March 19, 2025, The Current Report received information from multiple sources that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) experienced a catastrophic failure of its 911 emergency call system when the VESTA system crashed, leaving emergency calls unanswered countywide. Despite the seriousness of the situation, LASD failed to notify its own personnel in real time—and even more disturbingly, the outage was never recorded in the department’s official Activity Log.

    The outage, which impacted every single LASD station across the county, forced calls to be rerouted to backup lines. However, dispatch sources have told The Current Report that during the crash, calls were going unanswered, creating a dangerous gap in emergency response.

    Cover-Up? The Activity Log Omits the 911 Failure

    Multiple members of LASD’s command staff at various stations voiced skepticism about whether the department ever intended to acknowledge the failure internally:

    “I’m positive that I did not receive an email about it. And all members of command staff are on the list to receive those Activity Log entries.”

    It was not until 6:27 PM, four hours after The Current Report’s Breaking News post was published, and almost eight hours after the system crash occurred, that a news release was released by LASD on Nixle Alerts. The Department claimed no 911 calls were dropped, but that statement is contradicted by sources inside the department.

    A KTLA report also confirmed that every LASD station was affected, making it even more suspicious that the department failed to document the failure in its logs.

    A Pattern of Neglect

    This is not LASD’s first major systems failure. On December 31, 2024, the department’s decades-old Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system crashed, forcing deputies to dispatch all units via radio. The Current Report was the first to report the CAD system failure.

    Screenshot

    Internally, some compared the situation to a “mini Y2K.” Sheriff Robert Luna admitted in January that LASD’s infrastructure is “outdated and inadequate,” but the slow pace of system upgrades leaves the public vulnerable.

    Adding to the scrutiny surrounding Sheriff Luna’s leadership, he has faced severe backlash for his absence during the Eaton Fire disaster response and his failure to manage LASD’s emergency efforts. He was also notably missing from a critical Palisades Fire meeting with President Trump, where federal officials were discussing disaster relief and response strategies. The fires, which destroyed thousands of homes and claimed multiple lives, revealed deep failures in LASD’s emergency management. Instead of attending the high-profile meeting, sources indicate Luna left the area to attend a law enforcement union retreat in Carlsbad to solicit support for his re-election campaign.

    This decision, along with the department’s failure to coordinate evacuations and properly mobilize deputies, has led to growing criticism of Luna’s leadership during times of crisis.

    Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva publicly condemned Luna’s absence, calling it a “dereliction of duty” and accusing him of prioritizing political networking over the safety of the public. Department insiders have also raised concerns that Luna’s failure to deploy resources quickly during the fires may have worsened the destruction and loss of life.

    The Palisades Fire, January 7th, 2025

     

    A sattelite photo of the Eaton fire.

    Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva publicly criticized Luna for missing the meeting, calling it a “dereliction of duty” and accusing him of prioritizing political networking over crisis management. Department insiders also pointed out that Luna’s failure to deploy resources swiftly during the fires may have contributed to additional loss of life and property damage.

    The LASD 911 system is a life-or-death resource. When it fails, emergency responders may not reach those in need. The failure to log the outage suggests that LASD leadership was more concerned about optics than accountability—at the expense of public safety.

    LASD must answer for why they kept the public in the dark about a countywide emergency system failure.

  • LA Sheriff Luna: The Beatings Will Continue

    LA Sheriff Luna: The Beatings Will Continue

    Okay, let’s recap a few things:

    Deputies are being forced to work insane amounts of overtime.  They are working back-to-back-to-back double shifts.  They are being drafted to come into work on their days off. They are being forced (drafted again) to continue working after their shifts have ended.  They are driving beat up radio cars with a bazillion miles on them.  The CAD System, their lifeline in the field, is dying a slow and painful death.  The 911 System recently crashed for a period of time, endangering the public they serve.

    There have been double digit department related suicides during this current administration.  Deputies are fleeing the department in record numbers.  Personnel are rebelling against the Sheriff, by taking the bold move to boycott the upcoming Baker to Vegas (B2V) annual run.  It’s most likely a sound move, since too many people away from work creates a serious officer safety issue (not enough sworn to cover the critical assignments).

    We have had three high profile cases come out of the Antelope Valley/Palmdale Station areas, wherein personnel hold the firm belief that their partners have been unfairly and unjustly targeted by the administration for the sake of political expediency.

    The entire department is exhausted, angry, and tired of being ignored by the upper echelons.  You may ask yourself at this point, how could things get worse?  They can’t, can they? No way this gets worse.

    Well, in response to those questions, the County of Los Angeles just said, “hold my beer.”

    That’s right folks, after all of this, and more, the County of Los Angeles has just offered our long-suffering partners a ZERO percent raise.  Crumbling morale? ZERO raise.  Soul-sucking overtime and work conditions? ZERO raise. Putting your life on the line to protect others in a climate of ‘F’ the Police”, “Defund the Police”, “ACAB” (All cops are bastards), and a host of other nonsense coming not only from the anti-cop activists, but also from the Sheriff and his executive as well?? ZERO raise!

    The sheer insanity of this turn of events makes one wonder why anyone would ever want to be a cop.  It’s sure not for the salary.  It’s not for the forced overtime.  It’s certainly not for the cushy work environment.

    What it IS about is the sense of duty that the deputies have managed to hold onto, even during this storm of administrative betrayal and managerial incompetence.  They are true heroes for holding to their moral and ethical standards during these incredibly trying times.  I applaud them and their refusal to walk away.

    They need our support.  They need some recognition from their supposed leaders and from the County of Los Angeles.  Dammit, they need, they are entitled, they deserve, fair compensation.

    LA County, give your law enforcement professionals a raise!

  • Rudderless: LASD Freefall

    Rudderless: LASD Freefall

    “For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of the horse the rider was lost; and for want of the rider, the battle was lost.” – Benjamin Franklin, 1757

    These days, it seems not a week goes by without another nail being lost by LASD management.  This past week, for example, a report was issued that showed response times to calls for service in all patrol divisions have continued to rise.  It came as no surprise that the reason for this dismal statistic was the fact that the department has been, and continues to be, in a rudderless freefall.

    Personnel are still being stretched way too thin, getting too little rest, and receiving even less true leadership from the Sheriff and his executive staff.  These delays in response to critical calls for service are not the fault of the line personnel who continue to do the job despite the crippling lack of support and positive direction from their “leadership.”

    Anyone who has been paying attention to the dreadful fall of the once proud LASD over the past few years will see clearly what has been happening… little by little… bit by bit …piece by piece, as the current sheriff has seemingly done everything in his power to degrade, dismiss, ignore, browbeat, and diminish the personnel under his command.  It is shameful what has been happening.

    12 suicides under his watch

    Crumbling infrastructure

    911 System failure

    CAD system failure

    State mandated training being abandoned

    Hundreds of personnel boycotting Baker to Vegas Run

    Inability to recruit, hire, train and retain personnel

    1400+ sworn vacancies

    1400+ professional staff vacancies

    Morale at an all-time low

    Deputies resigning, retiring, lateralling at historic rates

    Bus fleet of 80+ down to less than 10

    Soul-crushing overtime is still the name of the game

    Personnel frustrated over his inability to make timely decisions

    His failure to support his personnel publicly

    His cozy association with fired DA Geoge Gascon

    That’s a whole lot of nails lost on a whole lot of shoes, and in a very short while.

    With all these failures going on, it came as no surprise to me that the Sheriff recently announced his decision to run for reelection.  His announcement came very early in the upcoming election cycle, which frankly tells me that he recognizes he has serious vulnerabilities and credibility issues that may cause him issues regarding support and donations.  I believe he is testing the waters to see how his support is… or isn’t… shaping up.

    I can’t help but think back to when this sheriff violated POBAR when he discussed an ongoing administrative investigation into an incident out of Lancaster Station, as he incredulously met with radical activists from BLM and Cancel the Contract… and their attorney, providing them confidential information into the case.  The activists then took to social media to gloat over the fact that Luna told them they had “gotten the deputy fired.”  This was obviously not the case, and FOX 11 News (to their credit) were required to modify the statement they had published on X (formerly Twitter).  And no, the deputy was not fired.

    Then we have the recent dustup Luna had with investigative reporter Cece Woods, wherein he made a lame attempt to intimidate her into withdrawing an article she had written which relayed reports that he is possibly suffering from some unknown ailment that may cause him not to seek reelection.  After she forcefully pushed back with facts, he and his law firm (which employs his daughter – surprise!) dropped the matter like a hot rock.

    This sheriff simply cannot get out of his own way.  He has alienated his personnel, pandered to the radicals, cozied up to the politicians, and generally made a mess of everything he has touched. It’s not surprising, considering he came from an agency with about 600 sworn officers and fewer than 1200 personnel.  The LASD boasts an employee count of nearly 18,000.  He appears to have been hoping to learn the job through OJT (on the job training).  It’s not working.

    Here’s a little secret, sheriff: Hope is not a strategy.  Your people need concrete, workable solutions.  Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

    So many nails….

  • Critical 911 Failure: LASD’s VESTA System Crash Leaves Calls Unanswered

    Critical 911 Failure: LASD’s VESTA System Crash Leaves Calls Unanswered

    On March 19, 2025, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) experienced a significant disruption in its 911 emergency response infrastructure due to a failure of the VESTA system.

    The outage lasted approximately 30 minutes during which emergency calls were unable to be processed, severely impacting the department’s ability to respond to incidents. Reports indicate that even after the system was restored, it continued to malfunction, affecting the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system’s performance to an undetermined extent. At one station, the situation was so dire that no calls were coming through, raising serious concerns about public safety and the reliability of the department’s emergency response capabilities.

    This incident is not isolated; the LASD’s CAD system has a history of failures. On December 31, 2024, between 8pm and 10 PM, as New Year’s Eve festivities were just beginning, the system began to fail. By midnight the system completely crashed. This failure rendered deputies unable to perform essential duties, such as running license plates and checking suspect information, effectively leaving them “dead in the water.”

    The antiquated nature of the CAD system has been a known issue for decades. Despite multiple “patch jobs,” the system has far outlived its product life cycle. On  September 16th, 2022, then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva submitted a comprehensive request to the Board of Supervisors for funding to replace the problematic system, highlighting its inability to comply with state legal mandates related to data collection and documentation.   

    The Board of Supervisors and successive sheriffs, including Lee Baca, Jim McDonnell, and the current Sheriff Robert Luna, were aware of the system’s critical state. However, despite these warnings and documented requests for action, a new system has not materialized, leading to repeated failures that jeopardize public safety.

  • LASD Deputy Arrested for Kidnapping, Rape, and Domestic Violence Amid Second DACA-Linked Investigation

    LASD Deputy Arrested for Kidnapping, Rape, and Domestic Violence Amid Second DACA-Linked Investigation

    A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy, identified as Tsz Ho So, has been arrested for rape (261 PC), domestic violence (273.5 PC), and false imprisonment (236 PC) after a woman signaled during a Zoom therapy session that she was being held against her will. The victim, who has a history of mental health struggles and a prior 5150 hold, had met So during a police call. The two allegedly entered a relationship, but he later coerced her into living with him and held her captive since November 2023.

    When deputies responded to the victim’s location, they discovered that her alleged captor was one of their own—a deputy from LASD’s Transit Services Bureau. At the time of their arrival, So was on duty until 4:00 PM but had still been communicating with the victim. Shockingly, he had sent her a screenshot of the police call regarding her rescue, which he had accessed via his Mobile Digital System.

    Deputies at Pico Rivera Station were alerted and immediately detained So. Meanwhile, the victim continued to receive texts from him, prompting authorities to instruct him to stop contacting her.

    LASD’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau (ICIB) responded to the scene, searched the residence, and arrested Tsz Ho So. Investigators later discovered that his home was rigged with multiple surveillance cameras, raising concerns about how extensively he monitored and controlled the victim.

    LASD’s DACA Hiring Controversy Intensifies

    So’s arrest has intensified scrutiny over LASD’s hiring of DACA recipients—non-citizens granted temporary legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. His case isn’t the only one drawing attention.

    Sources reveal a second DACA-hired LASD deputy is under investigation after a family gathering escalated into a firearm-related incident. During the event, the deputy’s LASD-issued firearm was taken, and a family member began firing shots into the air, prompting a police response. As officers arrived, the deputy and her boyfriend fled the scene in a vehicle but were later stopped in a high-risk traffic stop (T-stop). Upon searching the vehicle, police found the deputy’s LASD-issued firearm in her possession, while her boyfriend was carrying another pistol. Law enforcement immediately notified LASD, but sources indicate that department brass is attempting to suppress the incident.

    With two DACA-hired deputies now entangled in serious criminal investigations, LASD will likely face mounting pressure regarding its recruitment and oversight policies.

    Sources confirm Tsz Ho So who was released on bond is facing serious felony charges that could lead to significant prison time if convicted.

    The second deputy’s case remains under investigation, with questions swirling about whether LASD will take disciplinary action or attempt to suppress details.

    These developing stories are expected to fuel public debate over the department’s hiring practices, particularly in light of concerns over background checks, accountability, and whether non-citizen hires pose additional risks to the integrity of law enforcement agencies.

  • LASD Academy Recruit Identified as Armed Suspect in Lynwood Incident

    LASD Academy Recruit Identified as Armed Suspect in Lynwood Incident

    A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Academy recruit is under investigation after allegedly attempting to break into a Lynwood home and later pulling a gun on the homeowner.

    The incident occurred on a Saturday night when the victim heard someone trying to open the front door knob of his residence. The homeowner stepped outside to investigate and found a man standing on the sidewalk. When the victim asked, “What are you doing?”, the suspect brandished a firearm and pointed it at the victim’s chest before fleeing the scene in a gray Dodge Charger.

    The victim was able to capture a photo of the suspect’s license plate and provided a description to investigators. Detectives pulled registration information and conducted a six-pack lineup, in which the victim positively identified the suspect.

    Detectives then tracked the suspect’s phone pings and found that he was regularly at Stars Center, the LASD training academy, between 05:00 and 16:00 during the week. Further inquiries confirmed that the suspect was an LASD recruit, 14 weeks into the academy.

    This revelation has added to growing concerns about LASD’s hiring and vetting process, especially after the recent arrest of a Transit Services Bureau for rape, domestic violence, and false imprisonment.

    With two recruits now under investigation in separate criminal incidents, questions are being raised about whether LASD is adequately screening candidates before bringing them into the academy.

    The LASD recruit in the Lynwood incident is under investigation, however, authorities have not yet confirmed if he has been arrested or terminated from the academy.

    This is a developing story.

  • Deputies Sustain Injuries After Brutal Assault by Multiple Inmates at Men’s Central Jail

    Deputies Sustain Injuries After Brutal Assault by Multiple Inmates at Men’s Central Jail

    A violent assault on a deputy sheriff at Men’s Central Jail has raised concerns about safety protocols and security measures within the facility. The attack occurred on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 12:16 PM, when Deputy Miguel Mendoza was escorting a group of twelve pro-per inmates from module 2500 “B” row to the Pro Per dayroom.

    As Deputy Mendoza detained one of the inmates, three additional inmates, along with the primary suspect, suddenly and without provocation, launched a brutal attack. During the assault, Deputy Mendoza lost consciousness as the inmates punched and stomped his head into the ground. The deputy sustained a one-inch puncture wound to the right side of his head, requiring three staples, as well as multiple contusions.

    Backup arrived quickly, and additional deputy personnel intervened to control the situation. Deputy Mendoza, along with Deputies Arellano, Flores-Ramos, and Arias, also suffered head injuries and were transported via radio car to Los Angeles County Medical Center. Fortunately, all injured deputies were treated and later released from the hospital.

    A post-incident search of one of the suspects revealed a five-inch jail-made weapon, commonly referred to as a shank, hidden in the inmate’s boxer shorts. This discovery raises further concerns about the security screening processes within the jail.

    Adding to the severity of the situation, it was reported that CCTV footage of the attack was unavailable due to a temporary suspension of DVTEL cameras for maintenance earlier that morning at approximately 7:00 AM. This failure left nearly 300 cameras inoperable at the time of the assault, significantly impacting the ability to review the incident through video surveillance.

    A source familiar with the incident suggested that the attack may not have been random. “Based on the circumstances surrounding this attack, it appears to have possibly been preplanned due to the inmates acting in concert with each other and one found in possession of the jail-made stabbing tool (shank). The deputies are very fortunate,” the source said.

    The attack underscores ongoing safety challenges within Men’s Central Jail, prompting questions about the effectiveness of security measures and inmate management. Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the assault and the circumstances surrounding the security lapse.

  • Sheriff Luna Memo re Baker to Vegas Boycott is A Sign of a Leadership in Crisis, Not Just a Race Controversy

    Sheriff Luna Memo re Baker to Vegas Boycott is A Sign of a Leadership in Crisis, Not Just a Race Controversy

    On March 5, 2025, at 1:22 PM, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna issued a department-wide memo warning against harassment and retaliation, particularly in relation to an “upcoming running competition.” While he avoids naming the event, it’s clear he’s referring to the Baker to Vegas (B2V) relay race—a long-standing tradition within law enforcement circles.

    The memo states that several personnel have reported being targeted with harassment, retaliation, and bullying over their decision to either participate or abstain from the event.

    Luna insists that such behavior is unacceptable and goes against LASD’s core values. However, many within the department see the memo as a heavy-handed response that further erodes trust in leadership.

    A DEPARTMENT DIVIDED

    The controversy surrounding B2V is just the latest in a series of internal rifts within LASD. Many deputies feel betrayed by leadership, particularly over what they see as the department’s role in fast-tracking Deputy Trevor Kirk’s case to federal authorities – resulting in what many feel was a wrongful conviction for civil rights abuse under the color of authority.

    In response, numerous LASD teams have chosen to boycott B2V in silent protest. Whether they feel it’s an act of solidarity or self-preservation, the boycott has created tension within the department, leading some to feel pressured into taking sides.

    Luna’s memo does little to clarify the situation – instead, it raises more questions than answers. Who exactly is being targeted? Those still planning to run, or those choosing to sit out? And if the memo was meant to de-escalate tensions, why does it read like a veiled threat?

     

    THE “DEPUTY GANG” IMPLICATION

    One of the most alarming aspects of the memo is its inclusion of department policies related to law enforcement gangs and hate groups. By citing these policies alongside those on harassment and retaliation, Luna appears to suggest that those abstaining from B2V – or encouraging others to do so – could be viewed as engaging in prohibited group behavior.

    This raises serious concerns.

     Is boycotting a race now considered gang activity?

     Could deputies choosing not to participate face investigations or disciplinary action?

      And most importantly—is Luna using policy as a weapon to silence dissent?

    If LASD leadership is now equating solidarity among deputies with participation in deputy gangs, it signals a disturbing shift in departmental culture – one where loyalty is mandated, and questioning authority comes at a cost.

    WHO’S THE REAL BULLY?

    Luna’s memo frames harassment and retaliation as a department-wide issue, but it fails to acknowledge the role leadership has played in fostering a culture of distrust.

    If LASD personnel feel so unheard that they’ve organized a department-wide boycott, then the real problem isn’t the race – it’s the leadership. By issuing this memo, Luna may have intended to restore order, but instead, he’s likely deepened the divide. His response feels less like protecting deputies from harassment and more like policing their choices.

    Retired LASD Captain Mike Bornman, a 36 year veteran of the department gave us his insight on the boycott:

    “It is no secret that deputies remain rightfully concerned about the legal nightmare that fellow Deputy Trevor Kirk has been subjected to. Many believe that Luna had a firm hand in ensuring that this case was taken up by members of the Joe Biden Federal Bureau of Investigation and US Attorney’s office.  Their concerns are valid and need to be addressed more fully.

    As a display of unity, many LASD running teams have voluntarily joined in a planned boycott of the upcoming Baker to Vegas relay race that is held every Spring in Las Vegas.

    One of the results? According to the email, some personnel are reportedly feeling as though they are being, “targeted with actions of harassment, threats of retaliation, and bullying.”  Based on the language of the email, it’s not clear if it’s targeting those teams still willing to participate, or against those that have chosen to stay home in silent protest.  Either way, if this is in fact the case, it is unprofessional and inappropriate and needs to stop immediately. 

    What I take issue with is the overall heavy-handed response as noted in the body of the email.  At the end of it, a number of policy sections are listed as somehow being relevant to the issue.  This includes the “Prohibition of Law Enforcement Gangs and Hate Groups.” 

    Think about it; you want to stand in unity with your fellow deputies who are feeling ignored, demeaned, dismissed, and treated like second class citizens in their own department.  You organize a silent protest and by doing so, you are suddenly accused of participating in a Deputy Gang or Hate Group and threatened (bullied) with an investigation.  It seems that simply by encouraging others to join in the protest, you have suddenly become a gang and/or hate group member.”

    Bornman’s insight underscores a much deeper issue: Luna’s leadership isn’t just failing to unite LASD – it’s actively alienating its personnel. The Baker to Vegas boycott isn’t the problem; it’s a symptom of a department-wide breakdown in trust, morale, and leadership accountability.

    Rather than addressing the root cause of deputies’ frustrations – the belief that their leadership is selective in its enforcement of justice and loyalty – Luna’s memo doubles down on control, intimidation, and bureaucratic overreach.

    With LASD already under scrutiny for its internal culture, this memo could escalate tensions rather than resolve them. Will there be disciplinary actions against those participating in the boycott? Will Luna’s leadership continue to alienate his own deputies? And most importantly – will the department ever regain the trust of those who feel abandoned by it?

    Instead of treating dissent as insubordination, Luna should be engaging with his department, addressing their concerns head-on, and leading with transparency. Otherwise, this B2V boycott will be remembered as more than just a protest, it will be seen as a turning point in the growing divide between LASD’s leadership and the men and women who serve under it.