South Los Angeles residents gathered on Dec. 11, at the LADWP Community Room on Crenshaw Boulevard for a Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Crenshaw Manor Community Association in partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division. The event provided a platform to address pressing issues such as human trafficking, crime prevention, and the overall quality of life in the community.
The meeting featured many key officials including Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides, Commander Ryan Whiteman, and representatives from the LAPD Human Trafficking Unit, who emphasized the importance of dialogue between law enforcement and the community.
Deputy Chief Tingirides opened the discussion by expressing her gratitude to the attendees. She acknowledged the personal sacrifices many made to be present, particularly during the busy evening hours often devoted to family and work. Introducing herself as the Deputy Chief overseeing the South Bureau—which includes Southeast, 77th, Southwest, Harbor, and the South Bureau Homicide Division—Tingirides commended the community’s dedication.
“We want to hear your voice,” Tingirides said. “We wanted our businesses, our schools, our churches, and our community to know that we see the issue and concern, that we care, that we hear you, and we are here for you. So tonight’s about you.”
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She also shared her perspective as a mother of six in a blended family, empathizing with the challenges of balancing family and community engagement. Her remarks set the tone for a meeting aimed at collaboration and understanding.
Officer Pedro Alvarez, the Community Outreach Officer for the Chief and Commander, emphasized the LAPD’s focus on improving communities through collaboration.
“The goal is to continue to improve our communities,” he said, noting that human trafficking is often linked to gang violence, shootings, and other crimes.
In an interactive moment, a representative from the City Attorney’s Office engaged attendees with a question: “What is the difference between a city attorney and a district attorney?” A community member responded, explaining that city attorneys primarily handle misdemeanors, while district attorneys focus on felonies. The exchange highlighted the critical role of such forums in empowering residents with knowledge to navigate their justice system.
The event brought law enforcement and community members together to tackle critical neighborhood issues, reaffirming a shared commitment to building a safer, stronger, and more united South Los Angeles.
