The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a 911 call Tuesday about a possible kidnapping in downtown Los Angeles, and while they were not involved in the federal agents’ enforcement actions, they remained at the scene to assist with crowd control.
Officers responded near Ninth and Spring streets around 9:10 a.m. Tuesday to reports of an in-process kidnapping, according to the LAPD.
Several comments from the reports indicated that individuals were attempting to detain others without identifying themselves, police said.
Responding officers and a supervisor observed the crowd becoming increasingly agitated, creating a public safety concern as the situation grew volatile due to heavy traffic and congestion in the area.
Police said additional units were requested to the scene to assist with managing and de-escalating the crowd to ensure the safety of pedestrians, drivers, and those involved in the operation.
During the operation, a woman who was partially handcuffed approached and stood near an LAPD officer moments before a federal agent took her into custody.
The LAPD stated that the department was not involved in the woman’s detention or arrest.
“The federal agents did not notify LAPD of their planned enforcement activity in advance. The department responded based solely on the initial radio call reporting a potential kidnapping. No arrests were made by LAPD,” police said in a statement.
The LAPD asserted that it does not assist with civil immigration enforcement, consistent with its long-standing policy.
“Since 1979, department policy has prohibited officers from initiating police action solely to determine a person’s immigration status. LAPD’s role remains focused on public safety, crime prevention, and community trust, regardless of immigration status.”