Los Santos

On the evening of the 24th November, the police engaged in a pursuit with a yellow vehicle in Ganton. This vehicle failed to stop for officers when they attempted to perform a traffic stop. The vehicle took a chase from Ganton to the Idlewood Gas Station, where they took two women as hostage. They kept the women at gunpoint, while making demands to the SWAT team outside, requesting a bearcat for their escape. The two males who fled in the vehicle, held the women at gunpoint in the middle of the shop, while officers attempted to negotiate with the pair. However, the individuals were aggressive, making strong demands to the officers, threatening the lives of the hostages. The main demand was a bearcat. This is an armored police vehicle, typically used by the SWAT Division. With this vehicle, the idea is that it protects you from gunshots. However, as Officer Bishop quickly discovered following his demands, it’s not just the vehicle that matters. Holding The Aces The individuals inside the gas station were in a strong position, due to them having two hostages at gunpoint. However, the police worked to keep the hostages safe, by delivering to their commands. The bearcat was quickly provided for the pair, following a 30 second timer before on the hostages faced serious injury, or death. We observed Sergeant Whitelock from the LSPD along with his team, control the area, working towards the safety of the hostages. The clock kept ticking, while the officers waited for the pair to emerge from the shop to enter the bearcat. The plan from the officers was simple. To allow the males to enter the bearcat, then engage in pursuit to arrest the pair. This method ensures that the hostages remain safe, and allows them to apprehend the suspects elsewhere. However, things didn’t go as planned. The males took the hostages into the bearcat, further using them as pieces in this apparent game. Without the hostages, they knew that their time was numbered. The risk of death for the hostages continued. Short Pursuit Once the males had access to the bearcat, they drove from Idlewood Gas Station to the Pacific Coast Highway. Officers from the scene followed closely behind and followed the Bearcat to the sea, just off the highway. The males drove the bearcat into the water at speed. We observed officers shooting towards the water, attempting to neutralize the threat. The marine unit from the Los Santos Police Department was deployed to search the area. We witnessed them searching the location of the vehicle in the water, while ground units checked any potential routes of escape from the focus point. Remaining Underwater While on the scene of the bearcat in the sea, we witnessed officers issuing commands through a megaphone. People were still in the bearcat while it was under the water and with oxygen running out, they had nowhere to turn. The marine unit paired with SWAT officers watched over the bearcat, waiting for signs of movement. LSFD Support Arrives While the marine unit watched over the vehicle, the Los Santos Fire Department arrived on the scene to offer assistance. An ambulance arrived along with a fire engine, equipped with Scuba Gear. This allowed the team to check over the bearcat in the water. However, as the team went to check the vehicle, a male along with the a hostage emerged from the vehicle. The male started to swim quickly away from the officers, in an attempt to flee. However, the team was quick off the mark and managed to neutralize the suspect without issue. Another male had also arrived on the scene, with a vehicle. We believe to be used for an escape, however both males were quickly shot down following a gunfight between the pair and officers. We watched as the paramedics from the Los Santos Fire Department worked to assess and deal with the injuries. One of the team rushed for an AED, or Automated External Defib. One of the males had clear gunshot wounds to his chest and head. Hostages Safe And Well While the outcome could’ve been very different, both hostages remain safe and well following the incident. We received confirmation from Sergeant Parker that both hostages remain safe and well, and both males were shot down. The team from the Los Santos Fire Department worked to treat both the suspects and the officers. However, with the visible wounds to the males, it appeared that they were down for the count. Sergeant Parker, Los Santos Police Department On the scene, we spoke to Sergeant Parker from the LSPD. He said; “From what I could track is that our officers attempted to initiate a traffic shop on a yellow car, and when it took off, the two suspects lead them to Idlewood gas. In there, they took the clerk hostage, and demanded escape by bearcat. We did not want to risk the suspect befalling any harm, so we gave into their demands. They however, did not get very far as you can see, as we were prepared to deal with them on our terms, and not theirs. And to the criminals. We can bleed, we can be injured, but we’ve got a whole lot more spirit to fight with than they can ever fathom. We will face them head on, every day, every hour. Vigilant, and ready to deal whatever they have ready for us. Coming heavy or not, we will stand by our citizens.” Fantastic Work From The LSPD & LSFD While the incident was worrying for all, we do have to comment on the fantastic work of both the Los Santos Police Department, and the Los Santos Fire Department. Some notices of commendation include; Along with their teams. Without them, the hostages may not be here today. We have written to the relevant department following their great work. 3 0

As the snow falls across Los Santos, and the roads become more slippery, it seems not everybody has got the message of driving with caution. On the evening of November 24th, a white motorcycle was riding around Idlewood, pulling a range of stunts in the snow. The rider had zero consideration for other road users, or the public. Or even the fact that it was snowing. The bike in question was a White Honda, on road tires. Quite the vehicle to ride in the snow. As officers began trying to stop the vehicle, the rider failed to stop and went into an alleyway over from the Idlewood Gas Station. However, prior planning from the police resulted in the bike being boxed in, with two vehicles. Officers managed to arrest the rider without any issues after he followed command once the game was up. Lack Of Consideration For Other Road Users The snow is not to be taken lightly. Snow on the road surface causes accidents, injuries. Riding in the snow on a motorcycle is risky. But riding on a motorcycle, on road tires, pulling stunts is just stupidity. The consideration of other road users, the public or for himself was completely lacking. 4 0

On the evening of the 24th November, a 911 call was made from a witness, stating that they had seen a male with a firearm, along with a corpse which looked a lot like a police officer. Within seconds, the police had arrived on the scene to find the corpse laid in an alleyway behind a row of houses in the middle of Jefferson. As they began understanding the incident, shots were fired across Jefferson. Upon tracing the source, a male got into a Chevrolet Camaro and started a pursuit with the officers. Hostage Situation At Idlewood Gas Station The male took the pursuit through Los Santos covering Rodeo, Downtown Los Santos, Richman and more. The pursuit ended with the male running into the Idlewood Gas Station. The male ran into the Gas Station, taking the member of staff behind the counter as a hostage. Using the hostage for cover, he proceeded to fire shots through the glass door to the police officers, with the intention of causing serious harm. As the police secured the area, they proceeded to plead with the male, to release the hostage. However, the male was angered, with comments such as “If you try to get in, I’ll kill you, you fucking piece of shit!” The male continued to use the hostage and counter for cover, while shooting towards officers. We heard officers negotiating with the male through a megaphone, in an attempt to save the hostage. We also heard the police looking to take preemptive measures, such as setting up spike strips in the local area and securing the perimeter. The decision was made on the scene to provide the male with space, in an attempt to save the hostage. We witnessed the male leave the gas station. With the local area surrounded, the police waited in an attempt to sting the vehicle early, to prevent another pursuit. Short Pursuit To Pizza Stacks The male entered his original vehicle, leaving the Gas Station. The police lost sight of the vehicle early into the pursuit, however a 911 call confirmed that the male had entered Idlewood Pizza Stacks, with his firearm. The police responded to the male stood at the front door, shooting at the arriving police cars. Within minutes, the police had shot at the male, resulting in neutralizing the suspect. Following the shots, an ambulance arrived from the Los Santos Fire Department to assess and provide care to the male. Male Deceased In Idlewood The shots from the Los Santos Police Department were lethal. We watched as the paramedics attended to the male, however with short shallow breathes, the outcome became more and more obvious. We witnessed Brian Allen and his team from the LSFD work tirelessly in an attempt to save the male. However, the male was already fading away slowly. The Fight Against Crime Continues The fight against crime in Los Santos continues. As the Los Santos Police Department secure more funding, the crime rate continues to rise. Something needs to happen to ensure the safety of the public. Guncrime continues to become more common too. This male was armed with a pistol, of which he used in an attempt to remove life. Unacceptable is the only word. 3 0

On the 14th November, Emma Nilsen was appointed as the Interim Mayor for Los Santos. This came after a statement was released by Governor Blackwood. The statement read; ““The people of Los Santos deserve continuity in their government services and stability in their city’s leadership,” said Governor Blackwood. “Ms. Nilsen’s appointment as Interim Mayor will ensure that essential city operations continue uninterrupted while we prepare for special elections.” Since her appointment, she has made several changes for the people of Los Santos. These changes include; The previous mayor, Victor Chase was very restrictive in his duties. We didn’t see any show of support for our public services. Taxes had increased across the board, making Los Santos unaffordable. Finally, he didn’t take action when we needed it the most. It seems Emma Nilsen is working to make a difference as Interim Mayor. This is great to see. What Is An Interim Mayor? An interim mayor is someone who takes over the job of mayor temporarily. This happens when the regular mayor can’t do the job anymore, such as when Victor Chase abandoned office. Or can’t work for some reason. The interim mayor’s job is to keep things running smoothly until a new mayor is chosen. They don’t usually make big changes but focus on keeping the city stable. It’s like a substitute teacher, but for the whole city. This means that Emma Nilsen is in the position on a temporary basis, pending election. However, this is still a vital position to hold, and an interim mayor can still be elected by the public. An Election Is Coming In the following months, an election will occur. This is your opportunity to vote on a new permenant mayor to serve Los Santos. Electing a mayor in Los Santos is an important decision for everyone in the city. The mayor is responsible for making sure things like public safety, housing, and transportation are taken care of. When we vote, we need to choose someone who listens to the community and takes action to solve problems. A good mayor should work to improve our lives, not make things harder. This is our chance to pick someone who will put Los Santos first and make it a better place for everyone. Article coming soon with the election details. 3 0

It’s no secret that Los Santos has been subject to a recent flurry of snow. The Los Santos Weather Office is closely monitoring the data for any changes expected in the near future. However, once the snow settles on the ground and freezes over, we expect the road surface to become loose and much more slippery. This presents a new challenge for drivers. Some drivers in Los Santos are not experienced in driving through the snow. Therefore, the sudden change in temperature and also driving conditions may come as a surprise. In this article, we have covered Driver Caution and what you should be doing when out on the roads. 1. Drive When Absolutely Necessary The first one goes without saying. The snow and cold weather presents various risks for drivers. Not only does the road surface become dangerous, but so does sharing the roads with other vehicles. Each time you enter a vehicle to drive in this weather, you are taking a risk. A risk with your life. A risk with your vehicle. Only drive when you need to. Try to prevent less important travel. If you do need to drive, make sure to take your time and apply common sense. 2. Brake Early, Drive Slowly When driving in the snow, you need to apply a different attitude. Los Santos is home to many “Lewis Hamilton” fans. However, you need to adapt your driving technique for the weather. Braking is a major priority in the snow. Where you would usually brake while moving towards a junction, you need to brake much earlier. This will allow you to gradually lose speed, making a safe stop. If you press the brakes firmly, due to last minute braking, you will find that your vehicle slides. This potentially results in you sliding out or through a junction. Following this, you also need to be mindful about your speed. Drive slower than usual and make sure you remain in full control of the vehicle. Harsh acceleration will result in wheel spin, therefore causing you to lose traction. 3. Plan your Journey With the weather, roads may close unexpectedly. This could be for a variety of reasons, from accidents to frozen or burst water mains. Don’t expect your usual route to be open and clear. Do your research and plan your journey to avoid being in the bad weather conditions for longer than you need to. Also be mindful of any items you may need in the snow. Such as chains for your tires, vehicle breakdown etc. 4. Apply Common Sense Finally, the fourth step is to apply common sense. You need to think about each road, each corner, each junction. If you own a rear wheel drive vehicle, then driving in the snow is not the best idea. You are responsible for your own driving. In The Event, The Worst Happens If you find yourself in an accident with another vehicle, or in danger, you need to call 911. The emergency services are on duty to assist you in this bad weather. You can also call the non-emergency line for advice on 311. 3 0

On the evening of the 23rd November, officers from the Los Santos Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle in Idlewood. The vehicle in question was a Black Ford Mustang, with one occupant. The reason for the initial stop was unknown, however the vehicle failed to stop, taking the officers on a long chase across Los Santos. The pursuit travelled through Idlewood, Willowfield, East Los Santos and Richman to name a few. The vehicle eventually came to a stop in Richman, where the male got out of the vehicle and took a chase on foot. He ran for several miles, with officers attempting to hold him at gunpoint. He eventually ran to Pico Boulevard in Rodeo, where he took cover behind a tree, with his firearm in his right hand. Officers surrounded the male, however he proceeded to shoot into the air, and towards officers. Sergeant Whitelock from the LSPD attempted to reason with the male, working to get him towards dropping the weapon. However, he didn’t follow the commands and began shooting again when a detective shot at the male, neutralizing the suspect. Following the shootout, the male was down, with several GSW’s. The officers rushed to his attendance, while the call for EMS was made. Shortly after, EMS arrived with an ambulance and a command vehicle. Upon arrival, they attended to the male without hesitation, assessing his injuries as a result. We watched over the paramedics while they assessed the male. We watched them check his pulse, his pupil reaction and his injuries. As the paramedics treated his injuries, it was clear that he had one gun shot wound (GSW) on his arm. However, it was confirmed that his breathing and circulation was of an acceptable standard. The male was detained by the officers on scene, and taken to the All Saints General Hospital for further assessment and treatment. “Dangerous Driving, In This Weather!” On the scene, we spoke to a concerned neighbor who had heard the commotion outside. She said; “Look at this weather. Look at the roads. We have hooligans like that, driving around this city like they own the place and it’s not on. Fancy aiming a gun at police officers, honest police officers. What if he had slid from the road into a woman, or a child? These people are lacking a few braincells upstairs if you ask me! Pathetic.” While crime is almost normal in Los Santos, the weather has a detrimental effect. With the roads covered in snow, and the flakes falling at a fast rate, criminals are still willing to put both their lives, and the lives of the public at risk. 3 0

Over the last 24 hours, we have seen snow flurry across Los Santos. From a statement with The Los Santos Weather Office, this weather is a result of the “strong cold front moving down from northern San Andreas.” However, in the last few minutes, we have noticed a dark fog descend down on Los Santos. This has come as a shock to most, with visibility being reduced by up to 70% on average. From what was a clear snowfall has quickly developed into a hazard. Drivers are struggling to see more than a few car lengths ahead. The roads are becoming more dangerous. The risk of driving currently is at an all time high. We requested an official statement from The Los Santos Weather Office. The statement includes; “LOS SANTOS, SA — The Los Santos Weather Office has issued an urgent advisory regarding the unusual “Dark Fog” currently covering the city and surrounding areas. This rare weather event is being closely monitored as it poses potential risks to public safety and visibility. “The safety of Los Santos residents is our top priority,” said Weather Office Director Maria Alvarez. “We are working with state and local officials to understand and address this situation.” The advisory includes the following key points: “This is an unusual event, but we are confident that Los Santos will weather it safely,” Alvarez added. Stay safe, Los Santos. Follow official channels for further information.” Stay safe on our roads. 2 0

Following the recent snowfall in Los Santos, The Los Santos Weather Office has released an official statement in regards to the weather. We suspect this will follow with a weather warning of some kind in the future. The statement from The Los Santos Weather Office reads; “LOS SANTOS, SA — The Los Santos Weather Office today issued an update on the rare snowfall event currently affecting the city and surrounding areas. Snowfall began early this morning and is expected to continue through into the following days. This unusual weather is the result of a strong cold front moving down from northern San Andreas. “This is a rare event for Los Santos,” said Weather Office Director Maria Solis. “We are urging all residents to take precautions as temperatures drop below freezing and road conditions become hazardous.” Key points from the Weather Office’s statement include: Residents are advised to: Please follow local news outlets such as our reccomended, Shaw News for any updates regarding the weather. If you experience any issues as a result of the weather, please call the LSPD’s Non-Emergency Line on 311.” Yellow Weather Warning Imminent Following this official statement from The Los Santos Weather Office, our weather analysts expect to see a Yellow Weather Warning in place in the near future. The roads are due to become hazardous. The conditions will worsen. As a resident of Los Santos, now is your time to keep your family warm and safe. Please reach out to a local service if you require support during these cold, harsh times. 2 0

During the summer months, we saw high temperature and bright sun for weeks at a time, without a single spell of rain or damp weather. However, as we have entered the month of November, we have closed in on the Winter Season. The Los Santos Weather Office had showed some data to suggest snow was on the way. However, it has arrived much faster than we thought. In the early hours of the 23rd November, snow began to flurry down on Los Santos. Leaving a thick blanket of snow across the streets and sidewalks. This snow is expected to last for several days at least, with predictions suggesting a week or more of this cold weather. Preparations Needed The Los Santos Weather Office has announced that once the snow settles, the road surface will become loose. This means your vehicle is more likely to slide in the snow, making driving more difficult. To prevent this, you need to purchase Snow Tires. Local garages will have stock of Snow Tires, along with any other merchant that looks to stock them for the weather we are due to experience. Also, ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Make sure your suspension is set correctly for the weather and only drive when needed. This weather can be dangerous, especially for inexperienced drivers. Finally, apply common sense. For those new to Los Santos, they may have never experienced snow before. Make sure to leave larger gaps when travelling with other vehicles, brake early and remain safe on the roads. We will keep you updated on the weather events. 1 0

In the early hours of the 23rd November, the LSPD received reports of a brawl on Wilshire Boulevard. An accident had occurred between two vehicles. However, this quickly turned into a brawl between the two drivers, along with several bystanders. One of the individuals was also armed with a sledgehammer, threatening to hit the other driver along with members of the public. With the streets full of people, several bystanders called into the police for urgent assistance. Within a few minutes after the initial call, an officer arrived from the Los Santos Police Department. However, the gathering of individuals was still increasing with people coming from a range of directions. Following a debate back and forth between a driver, one of the individuals took his tow truck from a neighboring garage. Within a few seconds, he was preparing to hook the vehicle involved. Officer Sanders quickly intervened, attempting to stop the individual. Throughout the incident, people were assaulted along with being pushed and shoved. This created an atmosphere on the street, with people standing by, expecting a serious assault. Just down the street from this incident is the garage, identified to be used following the Ganton Targeted Attack. Officer Sanchez was on the scene of the garage, and provided a brief statement. Officer Sanchez, Los Santos Police Department “From here, we didn’t see too much. But it seems to be an accident between two vehicles that has escalated. We stood by, incase we needed to intervene before the local officers arrived. Luckily enough, they did be fore anything happened. Both males seemed to be quite aggressive, with one having a sledgehammer ready, as an offensive weapon. The bystanders didn’t help either. Getting involved with the scene and adding to the pressures. While I can’t make an official statement, this is becoming more common. People are struggling to controltheir anger, and it shows.” 2 0