[LSSD] [OS-0015] Sheriff Department Statement on South Central Unrest

[Mitch]

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LOS SANTOS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Sheriff's Information Bureau

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Official Statement
[OS-0015] Sheriff Department Statement on South Central Unrest

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Date Published: 06/JAN/2022
Point of Contact: Melissa Rhodes

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LSSD and LSFD joint meeting

In the very late hours of Sunday, the 2nd of January 2022 the Sheriff's Department responded to civil unrest happening throughout South Central mere days after Operation Zookeeper. The Department responded swiftly alongside our partner agencies in the Los Santos Police Department, Fire Department, Fire Marshals, and Park Rangers to ensure life and property are kept safe.

The Department is proud of our deputies and civilian staff who were on the front lines protecting our station and liaising with the local media as events transpired. We can confirm multiple arrests were made by ourselves and our partner agencies. Furthermore, we sadly confirm that multiple deputies were injured during the unrest. Finally, we categorically reject claims that the department put deputies and/or department staff into the protests to stir up violence.

The Department reminds the public that we advocate for the 1st Amendment right to assemble and express your thoughts peacefully. We will not stand for violence and will respond swiftly to quell rioting to protect department property and the communities that we serve. We thank the Los Santos Government and all our state and federal partners for working together during difficult times.

It is very apparent that crime in South Central remains extremely high. The department alongside our state and federal partners will review all avenues to ensure civilians and law enforcement are kept safe. Our number one priority is and will always be public safety.

Review our full statement by Undersheriff Takada

Over the course of the last few weeks, the situation in the South Central area of Los Santos has destabilized to the point where it is unsafe for members of the public to go outside without the fear of ending up at the center of a violent crime. The Los Santos County Sheriff's Department has done and will do whatever it can to stabilize the area, but has faced significant resistance in doing so.

Deputies are no longer able to patrol the area without fearing for their lives, needing to don near military grade equipment just to feel safe. We have sadly lost multiple deputies over the course of the last few weeks, and will never be able to repay their families for the sacrifice made.

Last Sunday, select members of the public decided to violently protest in the name of 'justice', only achieving more violence in an already volatile area. Both members of the public and sheriff's deputies were harmed during this protest, which was characterized by gun shots and rioters donning blunt force weapons. This has to stop. To those living in South Central I can only say the following: Please try to cooperate with law enforcement in seeking out those who wish to do harm to you and your community, so we can all strive to end the violence together. Thank you.

- Undersheriff Naomi Takada

Media agencies can contact us for any extra information on the following link LSSD.gov/SIB

 

[Mitch]

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