The Los Angeles Police Department’s Harbor Division is working with the residents of Wilmington to solve a recent string of homicides in the area.
There were five homicides in January alone, the most in Los Angeles, which have prompted police to increase coverage locally by 20 to 30 officers.
“In talking to people last night in the neighborhood at the crime scene, not one person questioned whether that was the appropriate thing to do,” said Los Angeles police Deputy Chief Patrick Gannon to The Daily Breeze.
Gannon also designated his Criminal Gang Homicide Unit to support the seven-detective homicide team from the Harbor Division with future cases.
The Harbor Division scheduled a joint meeting with the Wilmington Neighborhood Council Wednesday at 8 p.m. to update the community on “the most current facts regarding the recent homicides in Wilmington,” according to a press release from the council.
Detectives will also be available to speak with the public, according to the release.
A double-murder that took place outside the Coast Food Mart on Pacific Coast Highway Monday was the most recent incident. It is unclear whether the slayings were gang-related.
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The current run of killings began Jan. 2 when Wilmington mother Cristian Alvarez, 28, was found with her throat cut on L Street near Hyatt Avenue. Her slaying, which likely occurred during a sexual assault, is still under investigation.
Calls and emails put out to the Wilmington Neighborhood Council and the Department were not immediately returned.
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