LADA Mobilizes To Provide Services to
Victims’ Families and the Community After Tragic Monterey Park Shooting
 After the horrific mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park following the community's Lunar New Year Festival, LADA quickly collaborated with local, state and national partners in supporting our Monterey Park community. Investigators provided investigative support immediately following the tragedy. LADA’s Victim Services Bureau representatives arrived in Monterey Park soon after to help establish an emergency Family Assistance Center at Langley Senior Center for victims, their families and the greater community. BVS continues to be the leading victim service provider for those affected. We thank our many LADA personnel who are continuing to work diligently to support our Monterey Park community and all those impacted.
If you are in need of victim services, please call 1-800-380-3811. A Victim Services Representative is available to assist in several languages. No residency or citizenship is required.
Honoring the Lives Lost in Monterey Park
 LADA joined our Monterey Park community at City Hall and Star Ballroom Dance Studio to honor the 11 lives lost and the many injured during the mass shooting. LADA continues to serve as the lead agency providing victim services to our Monterey Park community.
Watch it on TikTok.
Orange County Man Charged With Murder in Christmas Street Takeover Death of Elyzza Guajaca
 D.A. George Gascón announced that a 27-year-old Orange County man has been charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old nursing student Elyzza Guajaca at a street takeover on Christmas Day in Hyde Park.
Dante Terrel Chapple-Young (dob 8/12/95) is charged with one count of murder and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. It includes the special allegation that he used a deadly and dangerous weapon, his vehicle.
Man Charged With Killing Security Guard Near USC
 D.A. George Gascón announced that a 31-year-old man was charged with murdering security guard Jave Garanganao outside a University of Southern California student apartment building.
Alexader Crawford (dob 5/19/91) was charged with one count of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon.
On December 27, the defendant was allegedly trespassing at the student apartment building in the 300 block of West Adams Boulevard. The victim asked Crawford to leave and followed the defendant. Once off the property, Crawford is accused of firing a handgun and killing Garanganao.
LADA Awarded $1.5 Million Grant for DUI Training and Prosecution
 D.A. George Gascón announced that the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) — through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — has awarded a $1.5 million grant to the District Attorney’s Office for DUI training and prosecution.
Since 2016, the District Attorney’s Office has taken a leadership role in training local law enforcement personnel and deputy district attorneys to investigate and prosecute cases involving alcohol and drug-related traffic offenses.
The DUI Training and Prosecution Section (DTAPS) was implemented to further the goals of preventing impaired driving and reducing alcohol and drug-related fatalities and injuries.
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  We Honor Martin Luther King Jr.
  Empowerment Congress
 D.A. Gascón kicked off the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend by joining the community at the Empowerment Congress.
For three-plus decades, the Empowerment Congress has been bringing community and government together, expanding civic engagement and accountability in L.A. County.
D.A. Gascón joined other County leaders including Board of Supervisors members Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath, and Sheriff Robert Luna.
 LADA-Supported and Sponsored Bills Become Law
This year, hundreds of new laws went into effect on January 1.
Many here in California will affect the criminal legal system and other issues in the community.
Here are just some of the many new laws that LADA sponsored, co-sponsored or supported.
  
Law Students Visit HOJ
 We were happy to welcome law students from Notre Dame Law School to HOJ!
Students met with D.A. Gascón and members of LADA’s executive team: Deputy-in-Charge Tina Hooks, Recruitment Unit; Asst. Head DDA Kimberly Toney, Justice System Integrity; and Bureau of Investigation Captain Carlos Villamayor.
Celebrating Korean American Day
 We honor Korean American Day and recognize all those of Korean descent who work at LADA.
We are happy to feature two amazing individuals from our office — Deputy District Attorney Paul Kim and Bureau of Investigation Captain Daewon Kim.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month
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During Human Trafficking Prevention Month and year-round, LADA is dedicated to supporting survivors and prosecuting those responsible.
Last year, District Attorney George Gascón announced he joined with public defenders and nonprofit organizations to establish a pilot diversion program for human trafficking victims to help restore their lives outside the criminal justice system.
The diversion program offers many services, including individual and group counseling for alcohol and substance abuse, mental health treatment, job training, career opportunities, educational and financial planning, resume services and criminal record clearing.
Watch the video here.
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Human Trafficking Prevention Town Hall
 Human trafficking can happen to anyone, anywhere.
Director of Legal Services Nagwa Ibrahim from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking participated in a LADA Town Hall on human trafficking and discussed the unsuspecting ways individuals are recruited and victimized.
If you are in need of assistance, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text 233-733 or visit http://humantraffickinghotline.org.
To report human trafficking, call 911.
Watch it on TikTok.
 Stalking Awareness and Prevention Town Hall
 Thanks to everyone who participated in and attended LADA’s virtual Stalking Awareness and Prevention Town Hall on Jan. 25.
D.A. Gascón, LADA’s Director of Communications Tiffiny Blacknell, Crime Victims Advisory Board Member Lenora Claire and survivor and activist Aziza Murphy discussed tools and resources for individuals victimized by stalking.
Watch the video here.
 Women, young adults, individuals with disabilities, multiracial individuals and people of color generally experience stalking at higher rates. Individuals with more than one of these identities may be even more likely to experience stalking.
If you are experiencing stalking, please call the L.A. County Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-978-3600. For restraining orders, call L.A. Superior Court at 213-830-0830. For emergencies, call 911.
If You Are in Need of Help
 LADA has an entire bureau wholly dedicated to helping individuals affected by crime.
If you are in need of victim services, please call 1-800-380-3811.
A Victim Services Representative is available to assist in several languages.
Making Narcan Readily Accessible
 Thank you, Board of Supervisors for approving this life-saving and important medication for incarcerated youth.
The item ‘Saving Lives by Making NARCAN Readily Accessible in the County’s Juvenile Halls and Camps’ was approved at a recent meeting by the Board as submitted.
Stopping Hate
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If you see an act of racial harassment, there’s something you can do.
Safely intervene using the 5D’s: distract, delegate, delay, direct and document.
Need to report a hate act? Dial 211 to get connected to help 24/7.
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D.A. Swears in New Law Clerk
 We’re happy to welcome Law Clerk Elizabeth Wells to the LADA family!
 Congrats West Hollywood Leaders
 We congratulate West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne and Mayor Pro Tem John M. Erickson who were sworn in recently. An LGBTQ+ and civil rights leader for 20-plus years, Mayor Shyne is the first out LBGTQ Iranian elected globally.
She first made history in Nov. 2020 as the first woman of color elected to the West Hollywood City Council.
Congratulations to both of these West Hollywood leaders. We wish Mayor Shyne and Mayor Pro Tem Erickson the best of luck in their new positions!
Building Bridges
 LADA’s Human Sex Trafficking Section hosted a resource table at the “Building Bridges” Conference.
The event, hosted by L.A. County’s CSEC Collaboration, brought together community partners that help youth affected by commercial sexual exploitation.
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and always, we thank our Bureau of Investigation and its investigators for their work and dedication to the people of L.A. County!
Watch it on TikTok.
   
  How Local D.A.s Can Help Protect Immigrant Families
As our nation’s border crisis is met with cruel responses from federal leaders, D.A. Gascón and Miriam Krinsky, executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution write in the L.A. Times about how local D.A.s can step up and implement policies that support immigrants and promote public safety.
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