Public support for LAPD officers still high

March 9, 2000
Web posted at: 12:30 a.m. EST (0530 GMT)

In this story: Police crackdown lowers murder rate Gang activity rises after scandal breaks RELATED STORIES, SITES

From Correspondent Susan Reed

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- While allegations and investigations continue to mount in the corruption scandal involving the Los Angeles Police Department's Rampart Division, there is little outcry from residents in the gang and drug infested neighborhood where the officers worked.

An internal police investigation released last week found police made their own rules and had little supervision. Seventy officers are under investigation, and 39 convictions have been overturned after prosecutors learned the cases were based on planted evidence and false testimony.

	MESSAGE BOARD
LAPD probe

The Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday joined the LAPD, the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office in investigating the police corruption allegations.

"We intend to look at fundamental issues relating to the department to see if we can use this as an opportunity to ensure the citizens of Los Angeles that we have a better police department," said the commission's president, Gerald Chaleff.

As part of its attempt to restore confidence in the police department, the commission has scheduled a series of public hearings, with many people calling this investigation the most important piece of work in the history of the department.

Critics charge, however, that the commission is not independent enough.

"It cannot investigate itself. It cannot come up with the recommendations that are necessary, and if they do, there's not going to be anybody there to see the recommendations are put in place," said Ramona Ripston of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Police crackdown lowers murder rate

But not even accusations that officers shot unarmed people and in many cases sent innocent people to prison have been able to kill support for the police in the Rampart district, where residents say officers make life more livable.

In 1994, police estimated 80 gangs battled each other in an 8 square-mile area. Residents said the sound of gunshots was not uncommon.

"I feel bad. I feel like crying. I feel like they're going to shoot me or my family," one child said.

Six years later, instead of 136 murders a year, there are 36.

Merchants also said the police crackdown has improved the neighborhood.

"Oh my God yes, of course. My business would be a mess if I didn't have those people around here. I depend on their protection," said jeweler Paul Ocamp. "Before, it was a mess, really a mess. I used to see a lot of blood right outside. People used to kill outside."

Ocamp used to keep the door of his store locked at all times.

William Jones also has a business nearby and has no problem bringing his young son to work these days. While Jones said he has sometimes been hassled by Rampart police, he believes you live by different rules in tough neighborhoods.

"We need the police. We always need the police department. If you didn't have the police department, you would have anarchy," Jones said. "But we need a "right" police department. We need a police department that respects and honors the badge that they took an oath to serve."

Gang activity rises after scandal breaks

St. Sophia Cathedral is in the heart of Rampart. The Rev. John Bakas said the church used to be surrounded by gang and drug activity. But gangs have been chased out and new businesses have moved in.

"For us, the police have an intimate relationship with the neighborhood. They're the ones that keep what I consider evil forces at bay. So we believe the police department, by and large, does a very, very fine job under very difficult circumstances," Bakas said.

When community activists called for an anti-police rally this past weekend, only 15 people came.

Since the Rampart scandal surfaced, officers have resumed walking the beat, and nobody asks them about corrupt officers.

"No one seems to bring it up, and we don't bring it up either. The people out here know that we're out here to do work, to put bad people in jail and to make their community safe," said Paul Lopez of the LAPD.

But police say there has been a change in the Rampart district. Police say gang members now feel freer to challenge police and that gang activity has gone up 30 percent.

Controversial anti-gang units to disband amid LAPD probe
March 4, 2000
Lawsuit alleges Los Angeles police targeted Hispanic males
February 29, 2000
LAPD chief enlists FBI's help to probe scandal
February 23, 2000
Mayor wants tobacco money to fund police scandal settlements
February 17, 2000
Outside probe of LAPD corruption scandal demanded
February 16, 2000
Testimony: Allegedly corrupt LAPD cops gave each other awards
February 10, 2000
LAPD chief: Ex-officer says convictions against 99 people wrongfully obtained
January 27, 2000

The Los Angeles Police Department
  • The Rampart Division
Los Angeles County District Attorney
Federal Bureau of Investigation
St. Sophia Cathedral
U.S. Department of Justice

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.