Scanner Report: LAPD Observes Prostitutes Using Twitter to Communicate

Saturday, July 2

10:15 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
An undercover LAPD vice team is in the area for surveillance of possible prostitution activity near the busy intersections around a specific Western Avenue neighborhood. An undercover vice officer is monitoring a group of "girls" (possible prostitutes) on one of the street corners. He radios his team that he "doesn't have anything on them yet" (no observation of a crime yet) but could cite them for "loitering" if they continue to stay in the present area.

10:20 p.m. 10100 block of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Chatsworth
LAFD Rescue 828 is dispatched to attend to a "sick person" at the address.

10:22 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
One of the undercover vice officers has overheard a conversation from one of the girls on the corner. They are using 'social networking' tools to communicate about potential customers. The undercover officer comments. "They were actually 'tweeting' about us." The officer notices that one was using Twitter to inform the others, "Hey, there are 3 trucks at the corner, waiting for girls." (One or more of the parked trucks is actually an undercover police vehicle.)

10:23 p.m. Lankershim Boulevard and Sherman Way, North Hollywood
A North Hollywood LAPD patrol unit has stopped a possible "code 6 Charles" suspect (a person who is known to be dangerous and possibly armed) at the location. After checking, it is determined that the person is not the wanted suspect.

10:28 p.m. Winnetka Avenue, Canoga Park
LAPD patrol units are called to respond to a "415 fight" at a party at a private residence.

10:28 p.m. 13500 block of Moorpark Street, Sherman Oaks
An LAFD rescue unit is responding to help an "unconscious person" at the location.

10:29 p.m. 19900 block of Londelius Street, Northridge
Several LAFD fire companies are called to respond to a possible "structure fire" at the location.

10:31 p.m. Somewhere on Saticoy Street, Sun Valley
An LAPD patrol officer has encountered a dog that is "foaming at the mouth and bleeding" from a wound on its body. The officer will notify Animal Services.

10:36 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
The undercover vice officers take notice of a rather enthusiastic "working girl." One of the officers points her out: "The heavy-set one's talking on the driver's side of the blue vehicle."

10:38 p.m. A potential customer (for sexual services) pulls up to a street corner where some of the girls are. A vice officer is observing from a distance and radios to the others: "Don't know what car it is. It looks like a Buick LeSabre ... or a Dodge."

10:40 p.m. Another vice officer observes: "The chunky one's waving her booty at cars."

10:42 p.m.
The same vice officer updates the others: "A car stopped, a couple of words were exchanged, and then Chunky waved at a car."

He asks the undercover vice officer stationed at a different location: "You have a view on Chunky, right?"

10:44 p.m. The other officer mentions observing a "white car" that has newly arrived to the scene. Says the first undercover officer: "Chunky's not talking to them." (The men in the white car.)

10:46 p.m.
The undercover vice officers are now watching a "silver Toyota" pull up and interact with another group of alleged prostitutes they are observing. One of the girls enters the silver Toyota for a possible deal.

10:50 p.m. One undercover vice officer is tailing the "silver Toyota Camry" and will follow the Toyota into the Ralph's parking lot.

10:54 p.m.
Eureka Drive and Ventura Boulevard, Studio City
North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol units are alerted to a "man pointing an object at passing vehicles" at the intersection.

10:57 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
One of the undercover vice officers recognizes a man from a previous
interaction. The officer recalls "talking to a male wearing a white t-shirt
and checkered shorts, earlier." The same man has returned in a different vehicle.

10:58 p.m. Coldwater Canyon Avenue and Sherman Way, North Hollywood
A North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol car has stopped a possible "code 6 Charles suspect" (a wanted person who is known to be dangerous and possibly armed). It is soon determined that the possible suspect is the not the wanted person.

10:59 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
The undercover officers see that some of the alleged prostitutes possibly work in teams and station themselves together. They noticed that a thin female was usually near the woman they earlier described as "heavy-set."

One undercover officer points out a woman. "Talking about the one that was with the chunky one."

The other officer believes this may be someone else. "I think this is a
different one. This one's got short hair." An undercover officer prepares to drive up to the women. "Hang on. I'll get set up."

But then the women separate again.

First officer: "Looks like she's heading north, back to the "Snooty Fox" (a motel).

Second officer: "Which one?"

First officer: "The thin one." The girls walk away, out of observation.

11:04 p.m.
Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
An undercover vice officer announces that "Chunky's back."

11:05 p.m. An undercover vice officer advises that their target, the "heavy-set one," is now standing next to a van. The undercover officers continue to observe for a possible illegal business transaction.

11:06 p.m. Somewhere in the vicinity of North Hills
LAFD Engine 7 and Rescue Ambulance 7 is notified that their patient is
reported to be in "cardiac arrest."

11:10 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue, Jefferson Park
Finally, it appears a deal has been made, and the heavy-set woman gets in the alleged customer's vehicle. "The fat one's in the van, the fat one's in the van. And the van's going westbound ... and they might be going north."

The undercover vice officers coordinate for an unmarked police vehicle to follow the van.

11:11 p.m. Somewhere along Western Avenue in Los Angeles
The other undercover vice officers are "keeping eyes" (monitoring for possible criminal activity with binoculars) on another two possible
prostitutes.

11:16 p.m. Sylvan Street and Troost Avneue, North Hollywood
A North Hollywood LAPD patrol officer has come across an 18 year-old female, "conscious and breathing, with a large laceration on the bridge of her nose."

11:17 p.m. 14500 block of Tyler Street, Sylmar
LAFD receives a 911 call for a person suffering from an "overdose" at the residence.

11:18 p.m. Sylvan Street and Troost Avenue, North Hollywood
LAFD Rescue 889 is dispatched to the scene of the female assault victim. (The 18 year-old female found by the patrol officer.)

11:20 p.m. 14000 block of Valerio Street, Panorama City
LAFD Rescue Ambulance 81 is responding to help a person suffering from an overdose.

11:21 p.m. 5400 block of Cedros Avenue, Van Nuys
Van Nuys Division LAPD patrol units are dispatched to the scene of a
"domestic violence, restraining order" violation. An alleged suspect, a 58-year-old white male, is now at the location. Patrol units are directed to respond "code 3" (emergency situation, use lights and sirens) to the
residence.

11:22 p.m. Vanowen Street and Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood
North Hollywood Division LAPD patrol units are informed about a possible drunk driver in the area.