Josef Levy at last Monday's Wrigley Association Meeting

Josef Levy, the new commander of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) West Division, has been loved and respected by many people in that section of the city for many years. As police lieutenant, he not only enforced the law, but he attended many community meetings and events and volunteered much of his time to improving the quality of life in the area’s various neighborhoods.
Levy spoke to an audience of about 30 people who attended the monthly meeting of the Wrigley Association last Monday evening at the community center of Veterans Park. He outlined his background and briefly described his philosophy and the goals he has set for the West Division.
He noted that in his 25 years with the LBPD, he has worked as a patrol officer and on special details focusing on gang and drug investigations. Working his way up through the ranks, he was promoted to sergeant and later lieutenant where he spent several years working with the West Division. During the last two years, Levy worked as chief of staff for Deputy Chief Robert Luna.
Although Levy has excelled in his career with the LBPD, his responsibilities to his wife and four children and his duties as a police officer did not afford him much time to complete his college education. He took classes whenever he could. “I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree after 30 years,” he said with a laugh. “I graduated from Cal State Long Beach and 20 minutes after (the commencement ceremonies), Chief of Police McDonnell phoned me to say he was promoting me to the commander of the West Division. I was on cloud nine.”
Going further back, Levy explained that when he was a baby, his parents moved from Israel to Chicago. Six years later they moved to Long Beach where he attended public schools.
He noted that during the six years that his family lived in Chicago, they were very poor and from that situation he acquired an understanding of the struggles faced by impoverished people. “I also learned the value of work,” he said. “My parents instilled a very strong work ethic in me, and I saw firsthand how, by hard work and perseverance, a family can climb out of poverty and have a better life.”
Levy also spoke about a recent, very significant event in his personal life. “On June 18, 2007, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer,” he said. “That cancer diagnosis basically rocked my world. I was off work for five months dealing with it.” He admitted that while the physical aspects of his struggle were difficult, the emotional and psychological aspects were even harder, but now that it’s over, he feels that he has been given a second chance at life. “I am glad that I am here and that I have the opportunity to serve all of you,” he said.
After his cancer diagnosis, Levy teamed up with two other cops who are cancer survivors to create the National Law Enforcement Cancer Support Foundation. “Our mission is to provide free emotional guidance, support, resources, education and advocacy for those in the law-enforcement family who are facing a cancer diagnosis,” he said.
Then, Levy outlined his philosophy and briefly explained how he plans to manage the West Division, which has 130 LBPD employees and an annual budget of about $17 million. He told the audience that soon after being appointed commander, he made the rounds during all three West Division shifts to meet all officers and civilian employees. “The message I have been giving to them is, first and foremost, treat people with respect,” he said. “I want [all West Division employees] to recognize that respect is a tool that can make their job easier.”
Levy added that he also expects West Division employees to work hard. “The work ethic is very near and dear to my heart,” he said.
The third tenet of Levy’s philosophy is integrity, which he described as “doing the right thing when no one is around.” He stressed that law enforcement is a very noble profession and police officers have worked very hard for the privilege of wearing a badge. “We cannot have unethical behavior,” he said, explaining that he wants to make sure none of his officers or civilian staff makes foolish choices that will ruin their careers and besmirch the reputation of the LBPD.
Levy also said that he reminds his employees to take care of each other. He explained that by that he means more than protecting each other in the line of duty. He means correcting a fellow officer who may be engaging in dangerous or inappropriate behavior.
The fifth tenet of Levy’s philosophy is to have fun. He wants the West Division employees to enjoy their jobs. “I tell my employees that when they come to work, I want them to think about how they can add value to the Long Beach community, and have fun while you are doing it,” he said.
The new commander also noted that he has expectations of the public he serves. He commended the members of the Wrigley Association for their volunteerism and community activism and said he wishes more people would emulate them.
Levy said he tries to inspire people to participate in IRS, but he is not referring to the federal taxation agency. “IRS is inclusive, respectful and safe,” he said, explaining that people need to work together and include those with whom they disagree in all their efforts to improve their communities. “Everyone has to be included and respected if we want to build a safe community,” he said. “Work hard [to make that happen.]”
Levy also commended his predecessor, Commander Bob Lumen, who now serves as commander of the LBPD Field Support Division. “I inherited good numbers from Commander Lumen in terms of crime statistics,” Levy said, explaining that out of nine categories of violent crimes committed in the West Division, only two have shown a slight increase in the past few months: robbery and rape. He explained that most of the increase in robbery is due to an increase in young men snatching necklaces and purses from middle-aged to elderly women. All of the rapes in the West Division this year involved a victim and suspect who knew each other. “And in about half of those cases, alcohol and drugs are involved,” he noted. Following a question-and-answer period, Levy said he looked forward to working with the community to achieve more reductions in crime and improve the quality of life for all residents.

More Information
(562) 570-7295

More Information
bryant.ben@longbeach.gov
(562) 570-1691

Long Beach’s new chief of police is becoming a familiar face around town. Sworn in about two months ago, Jim McDonnell has gone to several informal gatherings to introduce himself to the city’s residents. Last Monday, he was the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of the Wrigley Association. About 35 people attended the meeting at the community center of Veterans Park. The chief noted that, although he has lived in Long Beach since 1996, his duties as assistant chief of the LAPD had kept him too busy to really get to know much about this city. “I didn’t realize (until recently) what a great city we have,” he said. ‘We have so much to be thankful for here.”
McDonnell added that he is very impressed with what he has seen of LBPD operations in the past two months. “We have a great police department,” he said. “We have one that is very aggressive, very proactive and likes to work. That’s the reason we have been able to see crime reductions over the past eight years.”
The chief noted that, while crime has dropped significantly in the last eight years, Long Beach has not publicized that improvement enough, and there is still a perception that it is a dangerous city. “There is a lot of tremendous work going on here, but where we are lacking is in the way we present the city to the rest of the world,” he said, noting that every section of the city has something good to offer to residents and visitors alike.
McDonnell noted that, aside from the need to overcome negative perceptions, one of the city’s biggest challenges is its continually shrinking budget. “We are in tough financial shape in this city and in this region,” he said, adding that the economy is not expected to significantly improve for at least the next two years, and city revenues could begin to increase three years from now. The chief noted that a year ago the LBPD had 1,020 sworn officers on the streets but, due to budget cuts, currently has less than 960. “When you look at the economic times ahead, it’s not going to get better soon,” he said.
He added that the budget crunch makes it more important than ever for the police to work more closely with the community. “Nobody knows our communities better than the people who live in them,” he explained, stressing that even getting an anonymous tip can save the LBPD many hours of expensive surveillance and investigation and often leads to quick arrests of criminals.
McDonnell added that he also hopes to greatly increase the use of surveillance video cameras to apprehend criminals. “I want to see how we can use that more effectively in the city, particularly in the high-traffic areas such as downtown, Pine Avenue, 2nd Street, the Town Centre and other places that are major shopping areas,” he said, adding that he hopes to use movable cameras on a short-term basis in areas experiencing spikes in crime.
McDonnell acknowledged that surveillance cameras require a significant investment, but he insisted that the city would realize a cost savings in the long run as videotaped evidence almost always shortens the time it takes to arrest and convict a criminal. “It will help us take the worst of the worst off the streets,” he said.
McDonnell also stressed that simply arresting and convicting criminals is not enough. He explained that the city as a whole needs to work together to give young people wholesome alternatives to illegal activities. “We need to work with the school district and the colleges to provide after-school help,” he said. “There is no quicker fix than teaching somebody to read.”
According to McDonnell, studies have shown that 75 percent of kids who cannot read and write in the fourth grade will end up arrested or on welfare at some point in their lives. “If we can make the investment in our kids at an early age, we won’t have to deal with them in the criminal justice system down the road,” he said. “That’s something that changes lives, and I look forward to working with the partners that we have in this city to make this city a better one.”
He explained that schools, kids clubs, the parks department, faith-based organizations, and volunteer mentors must get involved in helping young people choose to become productive, law-abiding members of society.
The chief also noted that teaching state prison inmates to read and write greatly reduces the likelihood that they will return to prison after their release.
In closing, the chief told the audience that the LBPD wants to get input from residents to come up with innovative ways to further reduce crime in the city. “I look to be able to use the technology and the resources we have, but I also want to have a police force that is approachable and wants to work with you,” McDonnell said. “I want us to be able to step back and ask, ‘Can we take a different approach?’”

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying suspect(s) responsible for two shootings that resulted in the injuries of an elderly female and two male adults. The Office of LA County Supervisor Don Knabe is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the shooting.
The shooting, which occurred in the late afternoon of January 17, 2010, in the 2200 block of Pine Avenue, took place when a gunman walked into the courtyard of an apartment complex where the victims were attending a barbeque with extended family. The gunman, who appeared to target a 26-year-old male Hispanic, opened fire, striking the male victim along with a 57-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man who was attempting to shield his 4-year-old son.
The gunman was brazen in the attack, committing the shooting during daylight hours at 4:30 in the afternoon with numerous people in the area. The shooter, described as a male Hispanic, between 5’6″ and 5’8” with a medium build, moustache, and wearing dark clothing and a dark hat, was seen getting out of a white SUV prior to the shooting. Several witnesses reported seeing the SUV circling the area prior to the shooting. The SUV parked facing west on 23rd Street, east of Pine Avenue. The suspect exited and walked towards the family gathering.
After the shooting, the suspect was seen running to the vehicle and entering the passenger side before it left at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is described as a full-size older model square-shaped SUV. No other distinguishing features were described.
Following the shooting, all of the victims were transported to a local hospital and were expected to recover from their injuries.
This shooting has been connected to another shooting, which occurred on February 11, 2010, in the area of 11th Street and Myrtle Avenue. In this incident, a group of black males was seen chasing a group of Hispanic males on foot. A bluish-gray older model square SUV with primer spots pulled alongside the group of Hispanics and the driver was seen handing a gun out the window to one of the Hispanics, who then turned and shot at the group of black males. No one was hit by gunfire and the group of black males left the area prior to officers arriving on scene. Ballistic evidence recovered at the scenes allowed investigators to connect the two shootings.
A composite sketch of the white SUV (pictured) seen in the area of the Pine Avenue shooting has been developed and is being released to the public. Anyone who may have any information regarding either of these incidents is urged to contact Gang Enforcement Section Detective Bobby Anguiano at (562) 570-7370.

More Information
(562) 570-5737

Inspirational words and lofty goals moved like a gentle wind in the confines of the Terrace Theater last Saturday, bringing a sense of hope to the approximately 1,000 people who came to watch the swearing-in ceremony for Long Beach’s 25th chief of police– Jim McDonnell. Although the past couple of months were marred by acrimony over the fact that City Manager Pat West had selected someone who had not come up through the ranks of the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), McDonnell and other city officials praised the leadership of the deputy chiefs and commanders in an obvious gesture of reconciliation.

In his acceptance speech last Saturday, new Police Chief Jim McDonnell said he wants to revive community-based policing, which declined after 9-11.

After some music and dance performances by local groups, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Father Mike Gleeson, pastor of St. Cornelius Catholic Church gave the invocation. Among other things, Gleeson prayed, “on this day we hold in Your presence those responsible for peace, safety and security in our city.”
West went to the podium next. “It’s truly a great honor to present to this community the 25th chief of police for the City of Long Beach,” he said. West also thanked Acting Chief Billy Quach for keeping the LBPD on track during the past several months, and he praised the deputy chiefs who had also applied for the position of chief. West stressed that the LBPD is one of the finest police departments in the country, in large part because of the leadership provided by its deputy chiefs.
Then West gave a brief biographical sketch of McDonnell, adding that during the past three decades, McDonnell had worked his way up through the ranks to become second in command of the LAPD.
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster spoke next. His comments were brief. He thanked the city council members and the leadership of the LBPD for their hard work and dedication to the city. Then he acknowledged that it was difficult to select “the best possible candidate” as the chief of police of Long Beach. “Jim McDonnell is one of the brightest law enforcement officers in the state. The residents of Long Beach can rest assured and rest easier knowing that a very capable individual is taking over the helm of our police department.”
At that point, former Governor George Deukmejian took the stage, to administer the oath of office to McDonnell who had also come forward. After McDonnell swore that he would support and defend the United States and California constitutions, and that he would faithfully discharge the duties of the office of chief of police, Deukmejian said, “Congratulations, Chief,” and the audience gave a long, loud, standing ovation.
McDonnell, who has been a Long Beach resident for 14 years, then gave an about 15-minute acceptance speech in which he lauded the accomplishments of the LBPD while pledging to bring it to higher levels.
“Transition periods are always tough – a lot of anxieties, speculation, comparisons and rumors,” he said, adding that the LBPD will now begin to move forward as a unified team.
McDonnell said that one of his top goals will be to make sure his officers have the best training tactics and equipment to keep themselves and the communities as safe as possible. He added that there are now tremendous opportunities for LBPD to advance the technology it uses to fight crime. He said he would like to see an increased use of surveillance cameras in high-crime areas. He also wants the LBPD to use more DNA analysis, computerized license plate scanners and other high-tech systems to apprehend outlaws. He said that such technological advances were an investment in public safety. “It is expensive, however I would make the case that it is an investment and not an expense,” he said, explaining that reducing fear and crime is good for business, commerce, and tourism.
McDonnell told the audience that a great police department is one that consists of officers who respect the people they protect, work hard, and operate under the principles of honesty, integrity and approachability. Those qualities “are the foundations of sustainable police-community relations,” he said. “We will look continuously for opportunities to improve (in those areas).”
The chief also stressed that he wants to revive community-based policing, which declined after 9-11. He explained that law enforcement officials, community leaders and residents have to focus on problem solving and quality-of-life issues, not just crime and other symptoms of underlying failures in a community.
After explaining in general terms how he hoped to make the LBPD better than it already is, McDonnell reminded the audience that police work is very dangerous and it is perhaps the most scrutinized profession in the nation. “Everyone is an expert on policing. Everyone has a strong opinion,” he said. “Even those who wouldn’t dream of doing a cop’s job for a single day.”
McDonnell said he was honored to be selected at the LBPD’s new chief. “It’s probably the highlight of my life,” he said. “But with that comes new opportunities and in many ways a fresh start.” He pledged that he would be asking for input and help from LBPD and city officials, as well as the general public.