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L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduces new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

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L.A. Mayor Karen Bass introduces new LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

Residents of Los Angeles finally know their next chief of police.

In a news conference Friday, mayor Karen Bass introduced Jim McDonnell, former Los Angeles County Sheriff and LAPD assistant chief, as the new chief of the L.A. Police Department. The hire is thought to be one of the crucial events of Bass’ first term in office.

McDonnell was elected sheriff in 2014 before losing to Alex Villanueva in a 2018 reelection bid.

He previously served as the chief of the Long Beach Police Department.

“In ensuring that our city is prepared, I have selected Jim McDonnell to serve as the 59th chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Bass said. “Chief McDonnell is one of America’s finest police professionals.”

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Then-Sheriff elect Jim McDonnell, at podium, is sworn in as the new Los Angeles County Sheriff in Los Angeles, Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. McDonnell was named the LAPD chief on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

McDonnell graduated from LAPD’s academy at the age of 21.

“I’m appointing Chief McDonnell because he and I have aligned in our desire to change the direction of Los Angeles by preventing crime in the first place, responding urgently when crime takes place, and to hold people accountable and bring down crime,” Bass said.

During Friday’s announcement, McDonnell grasped the magnitude of his role in leading the police force of the second-largest city in the U.S.

“I love this city and I understand the modern-day challenges our officers face in trying to protect it,” he said.

In their remarks, both McDonnell and Bass acknowledged the opportunity L.A. has to rehabilitate its image as a safe city for the rest of the world, as it hosts the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

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The announcement comes after a search spanning several months. The vacancy opened after Chief Michael Moore’s surprise retirement earlier this year. Moore, who served in the role from 2018 until this February, took on challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and protests stemming from the death of George Floyd.

In March, Assistant Chief Dominic H. Choi was unanimously appointed by the civilian Board of Police Commissioners to serve as interim chief of the LAPD. From the beginning of his brief term, Choi never sought out the full-time role of chief.

Dominic Choi
Assistant Chief Dominic Choi is seen on Feb. 7, 2024. (KTLA)

“I want to thank Chief Choi,” Bass said on Friday. “I’m grateful that you will continue, you’re not going anywhere, you will continue your role as assistance chief.”

Choi, LAPD’s first-ever Asian-American chief, took on challenges such as growing concerns over theft and smash-and-grab crimes throughout L.A.

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Los Angeles, Ca

‘Shut up, I’m trying to steal!’: Burglars ransack Southern California homes while posing as deliverymen

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‘Shut up, I’m trying to steal!’: Burglars ransack Southern California homes while posing as deliverymen

Residents are frightened and angry as a group of suspects continue ransacking San Fernando Valley homes, leaving a trail of destruction behind.

A Valley Village resident said she was stunned and shaken up after thieves targeted her home on Dec. 17 between 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The break-in was captured on home surveillance cameras as a male suspect approached the house and appeared to be disguised as a delivery man.

“Ten minutes after we left [our home], someone was knocking at the door and our dog was barking away,” she said. “Then within a minute, someone had broken into the back of the house, smashed the glass door, came in and locked the dog in a room and just trashed the house. They took all of my jewelry.”

Photos of the aftermath showed drawers in every room were removed and emptied and all of the woman’s belongings were thrown across the floor in heaping piles.

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“It was very frightening and very scary,” the homeowner, who did not want to be identified, told KTLA’s Angeli Kakade.

  • A suspect is seen on security footage rummaging through a victim's closet in the San Fernando Valley.
  • Three hooded burglary suspects run into the backyard of a San Fernando Valley home, knocking over any security cameras they spot.
  • Home surveillance cameras captured a fake delivery man knocking on the front door of a Valley Village home while several suspects shattered the back door to burglarize the home on Dec. 17, 2024.
  • The male suspect posing as a delivery person is seen walking away.
  • The destructive aftermath of a burglary at a Valley Village home on Dec. 17, 2024.
  • The destructive aftermath of a burglary at a Valley Village home on Dec. 17, 2024.
  • Three hooded burglary suspects run into the backyard of a San Fernando Valley home, knocking over any security cameras they spot.
  • Three hooded burglary suspects run into the backyard of a San Fernando Valley home, knocking over any security cameras they spot.
  • The back door of a Valley Village home was shattered as a group of thieves ransacked the property on Dec. 17, 2024.
  • The destructive aftermath of a burglary at a Valley Village home on Dec. 17, 2024.

She posted the surveillance video on the NextDoor app and was shocked to discover how many other nearby residents came forward with similar burglary stories.

“I didn’t know this was going on until I let our neighbors know and then you start finding out that it’s happening all the time,” another neighbor told KTLA.

A Sherman Oaks resident posted a video of a thief rummaging inside a closet and at one point, he was heard yelling to the homeowner, “Shut up bi*ch! I’m trying to steal!” 

Victims reported the same details — a fake delivery man knocks on the front door to check if anyone’s home while several accomplices enter the house by shattering a back door or window.

At times, when the suspects would spot a security camera, they would quickly run over and knock it to the ground.

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The Valley Village victim said she’s angry over the constant break-ins her community is forced to endure. The worst part, she said, was that she had no idea it was taking place. She believes local law enforcement needs to prioritize alerting citizens of burglary threats.

“I’m very frustrated because I feel like if people had let us know, maybe we could’ve taken more precautions,” she said.

The burglaries remain under investigation and no suspects have been arrested. Anyone with information can call the Los Angeles Police Department at 818-374-9500.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Police searching for man who severely injured store owner

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Police searching for man who severely injured store owner

Police in Anaheim are asking for the public’s help to find the person who attacked a local business owner and left them with major injuries.

The attack happened on Dec. 9 around 10 p.m. at a store near the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and South Street, police said.

According to the Anaheim Police Department, a man attacked the business owner inside the store. The unidentified victim suffered serious injuries that police officials described as “severe.”

  • Anaheim police are searching for the person who assaulted a business owner, leaving him severely injured on Dec. 9, 2024. (Anaheim Police Department)

On Friday, the Police Department released two images of the suspect with a plea to the public for help locating him.

“Any information you have could help us bring justice in the case,” the Police Department wrote in a post to Instagram. “Your assistance is appreciated.”

Anyone who might recognize the man is urged to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714- 765-1900. Anonymous tips can be made online or by calling Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227.

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Los Angeles, Ca

'Bluey' coming to Disney parks and cruise line

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'Bluey' coming to Disney parks and cruise line

Bluey, a blue heeler dog from the children’s show of the same name, will be making her theme park debut at Disneyland and Walt Disney World next year. Walt Disney Co. also announced that the character will join the Disney Cruise Line as well.

“Beginning in January 2025, onboard Disney Cruise Line voyages originating from Australia and New Zealand, families can interact with Bluey and her sister, Bingo, like never before. From special meet-and-greets to an interactive and clue-filled game that ends in a dance party featuring Bluey’s signature moves, families in the region can embark on a magical holiday with their favorite blue heeler,” the company said in a news release.

The company will share more details about how guests can meet Bluey and her family at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort in the coming months.

The announcement comes amid an expanded partnership between Disney and BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC that distributes the popular Australian animated series, and Ludo Studio, which produced the program.

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It’s not completely unusual for Disney to highlight other intellectual property in its theme parks. For example, the Star Wars and Muppets attractions were in place at Disneyland and Walt Disney World before Disney bought LucasFilm and Jim Henson Productions, respectively.

The companies also announced that a Bluey movie will be released theatrically in 2027, with Disney leading distribution.

The show follows a family of cartoon dogs who live in Brisbane, Australia.

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