A safety bulletin has been issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to its deputies and other area agencies and their personnel after learning of a gang-related threat against Southland law enforcement officers, the department revealed Tuesday.
Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives learned of the threat two weeks ago while investigating the fatal shooting of a stolen vehicle suspect by South Gate police officers at the end of a vehicle chase, according to the department.
“During the course of an officer-involved shooting investigation, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau was made aware of information regarding a potential threat by criminal street gangs against Southern California on-duty law enforcement officers,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
“This threat was not specific as to the law enforcement agency or agencies that might be targeted, or as to the individual or individuals who may be involved.”
The officer-involved shooting occurred on May 15 in the area of Cherry Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Long Beach after Omar Benitez, 22, of Compton led police on a chase in a van that had been reported stolen.
“The intention of the officer safety bulletin issued was to advise local agencies and officers of the existence of the threat,” according to the sheriff’s department. “Law enforcement personnel should always exercise diligence and situational awareness.
The purpose of this bulletin is to reinforce the need for law enforcement officers to be continuously alert and active in assessing their surroundings. The information upon which this bulletin is based, as well as any new information obtained, will continue to be evaluated and investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”
–City News Service