» The suspect? A 24-year-old German immigrant: The L.A. arson spree, in which cars were used to ignite flames, is still under investigation, but no new fires have been started since their lead suspect has been taken into custody today. ”I feel very good that we’ve got the right guy,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck. ”[The suspect] had the right stuff in his van, and we are confident in the arrest.” The man, Harry Burkhart, is a German immigrant who was reportedly upset about the immigration status of his mother. According to L.A. Weekly, when Burkhart was arrested, he uttered the words “I hate America.” No civilians were hurt during the costly spree.
Is this the guy? Last night, the LAPD released this image of a person of interest in this weekend’s widespread arson spree, which was the result of over three dozen separate blazes — some of which damaged significant amounts of property. This morning, the police say they have a person of interest in custody, presumably the guy in this photo. However, officials say “it is too early to speculate if this person is responsible for the spree of arson fires.” However, sources say that fire-starting materials were found in the man’s van, meaning he potentially had the ability to start a number of fires if he wanted to. source
» Cars uses as incendiary devices: The damage caused by these fires, many of which were started by unlocked cars and allowed to blaze out of control, sometimes spreading to nearby buildings — in one case a home where Jim Morrison once lived. ”Auto fires, as soon as they get going, they get really hot, really fast,” Los Angeles Assistant Chief Patrick Butler said. “They essentially give off their own combustibles.” Officials are asking neighbors to keep their eye out and to offer up any security footage near the scenes of the arson attacks.
Raining on his parade: A weather personality for KTLA Los Angeles stormed off during a live interview after someone back at the station cut his weather segment short.source
Today’s awful story of sexual predation: Did you know that sex offenders on probation, under California state law, can’t light their houses up on Halloween? Well, they can’t, and when authorities in Los Angeles conducted a four-day sweep of 251 houses occupied by sex offenders, they found five probationers in violation of this law. According to LA County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, one of them ”had a trap door in his bedroom leading to a basement where officers found a chair and rope.” There was also a married couple with a fully decorated home, on probation for molesting their own children and found to be in possession of child pornography. If anyone has any stories involving, say, a bunch of puppies who courageously drag their owner to safety from a burning house, now would be a great time to let us know, ‘cause we sure need an upper.
Aside from a few protesters who reportedly threw things at police (they were arrested), there was no violence, and cops ultimately let encampment stay. Demonstrators chanted “We won, we won, we won!” as the police left.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ordered the shutdown of the Occupy L.A. encampment on City Hall grounds at 12:01 a.m. Monday, saying officials can no longer “maintain the public safety of a long-term encampment,” according to a statement issued Friday.
Photo: Park hours have been posted outside Los Angeles City Hall, reminding Occupy L.A. protesters of existing city codes that call for the lawn to be closed daily at 10:30 p.m. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Here’s the notice.
The encampment in City Hall Park is not sustainable. This is especially true from the standpoint of public health and public safety. Accordingly, we must close, repair and re-open the park to public access. For this reason, we will close the park on Monday, November 28th at 12:01 am. The park closure will include a set of measures that will assist Occupy LA participants to move their personal belongings and property from the park. We will also offer social and health services for those in need.Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in a statement regarding the eviction of Occupy L.A. protesters. The note takes a very conciliatory tone, one that reflects the positive relationship the movement has with the city: “It is my hope that we can conclude this first chapter of Occupy LA in a similar spirit,” the mayor writes. “I admire your courage and character. You have opened the eyes of your fellow citizens to the economic hardship in their midst. I am encouraged by your passionate commitment to social justice and look forward to the continued progress of your efforts.”
Earlier this week, the city offered the group a bizarrely awesome deal involving free office space and farmland, but later rescinded the offer after it became clear that the deal could provoke a backlash. Instead, the city’s offering up space in homeless shelters for homeless occupiers.
I heard screaming and I heard yelling. Moments later, my throat stung. I was coughing really bad and watering up.Porter Ranch, Los Angeles, California Wal-Mart customer Matthew Lopez • Describing what happened after another customer, who authorities say was “competitive shopping,” pepper sprayed 20 people (including children!) in an attempt to beat everyone else at getting stuff. Considering, you know, this incident and this incident, the usage of pepper spray seems incredibly ironic. Authorities are looking for the person who sprayed her fellow shoppers in efforts to buy a new Xbox 360 or something similar. Humanity sucks sometimes. source (via • follow)
Wrote a thing.
Hat tip to this headline writer.
Congrats Tumblr!
Don’t screw this up Yahoo.
In 2007, I was...
I started tumblr when I was at one of the lowest points of...
Exclusive: How the Syrian Electronic Army hacked the...
The Museum of Tolerance to put Hitler’s letter on display: Written before his “Mein Kampf” manifesto, the letter mentions the “Jewish threat.” Deborah Lipstadt, a professor at Emory University, said that this letter is “important for helping us understand Adolf Hitler.” source
Obama’s coming to L.A. next week. So clearly, this is a positive.
Copyright 2009-2013 Ernie Smith • Ask us stuff! • E-mail us • Follow us on Twitter • Follow us on Facebook
