911 Operators Reach Out to Boy Attacked by Sexual Predator

Los Angeles: Police Service Representatives (PSRs) from the LAPD’s Dispatch Centers have joined to help an 11-year-old boy victimized in a brutal sexual assault last month.

On Saturday, March 4, 2006, around 1:00 p.m., the boy and his 10-year-old friend were playing in an alley behind the Colden Oak Apartments, in the 200 block of West Colden Avenue, in the Green Meadow area of southeast Los Angeles. A masked gang member armed with a knife approached them, sexually assaulting one boy at knifepoint and attempting to assault the other. The 10-year-old managed to escape. The following day, the suspect was arrested and remains in custody pending trial.

After the assault, the injured boy received medical treatment and was returned to the care of his family.

911 operators and police dispatchers (collectively called PSRs) from the LAPD Metropolitan Communications Dispatch Center, and from its San Fernando Valley counterpart, the Valley Communications Dispatch Center, were deeply troubled by the account of what happened. As an offering of good will and compassion, they took up a collection to buy the boy a gift.

“Routinely our dispatchers come in contact with tragedies such as this, and wish they could reach out to every victim,” said Captain Sharyn Buck, Commanding Officer, Communications Division. “The fact that this case involves someone so young makes it even more disturbing. The many PSRs behind this expression of empathy want the boy to know they wish him the very best, and that there are many people in his community and in our city who care for him and hope he has a speedy recovery.”

The money raised was used to purchase a Playstation video game, including a monetary gift, and was accompanied by four cards bearing written messages of encouragement from over 300 PSRs. Administrative and support staff members also contributed. Police Service Representative
Glenn Tracy, along with Detective Veda Young, of the Southeast Sex Crimes Unit, presented the gifts to the boy and his family. As a minor and victim of sexual assault, the boy’s identity is protected.

“Through this gesture we hope to lift his spirits and convey our unified wish for his complete recovery,” added Captain Buck.

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