SPJ/LA Faults LAPD Echo Park Report

LOS ANGELES – On August 3rd, the Los Angeles Society of Professional Journalists chapter, or SPJ/LA sent a letter to the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners over the Los Angeles Police Department’s or LAPD’s After Action Report on the removal of the homeless encampment at Echo Park. Below are the demands from SPJ/LA regarding the incidents in March:

• LAPD did not interview or contact any journalists who covered the Echo Park incidents. Instead, the report characterized the perspectives of the journalists without taking their experiences into account. Christian Monterrosa, a freelance AP Photographer, was hit in the abdomen by a 40mm hard foam during the encampment removal operation – there was no mention of this on the “After Action Report.”
• The Crespo zones or “media pens” are not mandatory. Journalists are not required to remain in the zone.
• LAPD’s distinction between “legitimate” and advocacy journalists is inaccurate. Bloggers, “influencers,” videographers, photographers, digital journalists and advocacy journalists have the same rights as print and broadcast journalists from news organizations.
• Journalists should be allowed to act in an observational role and serve the public by holding LAPD accountable for their actions.
• The Police Commission and LAPD need to work together and gather correct information on the incidents at Echo Park and future events.