Pacific Division History
Introduction
Home of the Del Perro Beach Pier, the iconic Vespucci Canals and the Los Santos International Airport (LSX), Pacific Area is one of the City’s most popular divisions. More tourists visit the dynamic confines of our community than anywhere else in the western region of the state. This is largely due to one of the USA’s busiest airports, LSX, and to Del Perro Beach, the fourth largest tourist attraction in the state. During the summer months local residents and tourists flock to Del Perro Beach’s boardwalks to witness street artists, shopping and dining. The Pacific Community is 6.74 square miles in size, has over 10,000 residents, and is under the jurisdiction of the LSPD's Operations-Central Bureau. Neighborhoods served include Pacific Bluffs, Richman, West Vinewood, Rockford Hills, Del Perro, Morningwood, Little Seoul, Vespucci, Vespucci Beach, and La Puerta.
Home of the Del Perro Beach Pier, the iconic Vespucci Canals and the Los Santos International Airport (LSX), Pacific Area is one of the City’s most popular divisions. More tourists visit the dynamic confines of our community than anywhere else in the western region of the state. This is largely due to one of the USA’s busiest airports, LSX, and to Del Perro Beach, the fourth largest tourist attraction in the state. During the summer months local residents and tourists flock to Del Perro Beach’s boardwalks to witness street artists, shopping and dining. The Pacific Community is 6.74 square miles in size, has over 10,000 residents, and is under the jurisdiction of the LSPD's Operations-Central Bureau. Neighborhoods served include Pacific Bluffs, Richman, West Vinewood, Rockford Hills, Del Perro, Morningwood, Little Seoul, Vespucci, Vespucci Beach, and La Puerta.
History
The origins of Pacific Division trace back to February 23rd, 1925, when the City of Los Santos annexed the City of Vespucci. Abbott Kinney was a major local influencer, architect, and donor, as well as a prominent land developer who envisioned a "Venice of America”, which would have its own gondolas, canals, and iconic Venetian architecture. Much of Kinney’s dream can still be seen today evidenced by remnants of buildings and canals that still exist in the area that was once marshland.
Former police officers for the City of Vespucci were given the opportunity to join the Los Santos Police Department with the passing of a civil service examination. The original area consisted of approximately 2 miles and 30 officers. In 1930, the new police station for Vespucci Division opened at 685 Del Perro Avenue. This location is a Historical‐Cultural Monument for the City of Los Santos and remains standing today. After Pearl Harbor in 1942, the landscape of Vespucci beach changed. The Del Perro pier closed at sunset to avoid a night‐time aerial bombing. Speed boats patrolled the coastline in preparation for invasion or another attack. Local air hangars were a considerable target at the time. Owners had the roofs painted to give the appearance of an ordinary residential tract. Decoy hangars were built nearby to throw off potential Japanese pilots. In 1968, racial tensions erupted at Vespucci High School. On the first day, officers arrested 100 students while being hit by objects thrown by students. An additional 60 students joined the protest on the second day to protest the school’s dress code. A list of grievances was drafted to address the concerns of the minorities on campus.
In 1974, Vespucci Station moved to a new its modern location at 12312 San Andreas Avenue. In 1982, the LSPD and the community leaders agreed to rename Vespucci Division as Pacific Area to better reflect the entire community, including the Vespucci Canals, Vespucci, Pacific Bluffs, Rockford Hills, Morningwood, and Little Seoul neighborhoods. The 1992 Los Santos civil unrest rippled into Pacific Area when approximately 25 members of local street gangs began looting businesses and shops around the Vespucci boardwalk. Pacific Division quickly apprehended those involved ‐ discouraging further attempts in the area. The ever‐growing threat of street gangs of the 1990s put the communities of Vespucci and Del Perro on edge. In the summer of 1993, between 50‐100 young gang members terrorized the Vespucci Beach. Officers assigned to Pacific Area assisted in mutual‐aid efforts during the 2020 SAFE LS mobilization, responding to various parts of Los Santos and outside City boundaries to the City of Chumash to quell violence and apprehend law violators seen vandalizing businesses and looting them at locations like Third Street Promenade.
The origins of Pacific Division trace back to February 23rd, 1925, when the City of Los Santos annexed the City of Vespucci. Abbott Kinney was a major local influencer, architect, and donor, as well as a prominent land developer who envisioned a "Venice of America”, which would have its own gondolas, canals, and iconic Venetian architecture. Much of Kinney’s dream can still be seen today evidenced by remnants of buildings and canals that still exist in the area that was once marshland.
Former police officers for the City of Vespucci were given the opportunity to join the Los Santos Police Department with the passing of a civil service examination. The original area consisted of approximately 2 miles and 30 officers. In 1930, the new police station for Vespucci Division opened at 685 Del Perro Avenue. This location is a Historical‐Cultural Monument for the City of Los Santos and remains standing today. After Pearl Harbor in 1942, the landscape of Vespucci beach changed. The Del Perro pier closed at sunset to avoid a night‐time aerial bombing. Speed boats patrolled the coastline in preparation for invasion or another attack. Local air hangars were a considerable target at the time. Owners had the roofs painted to give the appearance of an ordinary residential tract. Decoy hangars were built nearby to throw off potential Japanese pilots. In 1968, racial tensions erupted at Vespucci High School. On the first day, officers arrested 100 students while being hit by objects thrown by students. An additional 60 students joined the protest on the second day to protest the school’s dress code. A list of grievances was drafted to address the concerns of the minorities on campus.
In 1974, Vespucci Station moved to a new its modern location at 12312 San Andreas Avenue. In 1982, the LSPD and the community leaders agreed to rename Vespucci Division as Pacific Area to better reflect the entire community, including the Vespucci Canals, Vespucci, Pacific Bluffs, Rockford Hills, Morningwood, and Little Seoul neighborhoods. The 1992 Los Santos civil unrest rippled into Pacific Area when approximately 25 members of local street gangs began looting businesses and shops around the Vespucci boardwalk. Pacific Division quickly apprehended those involved ‐ discouraging further attempts in the area. The ever‐growing threat of street gangs of the 1990s put the communities of Vespucci and Del Perro on edge. In the summer of 1993, between 50‐100 young gang members terrorized the Vespucci Beach. Officers assigned to Pacific Area assisted in mutual‐aid efforts during the 2020 SAFE LS mobilization, responding to various parts of Los Santos and outside City boundaries to the City of Chumash to quell violence and apprehend law violators seen vandalizing businesses and looting them at locations like Third Street Promenade.
Pacific Area Today
In 2023 Pacific Area is, despite its challenges, a buzzing beach city area and a picturesque enclave of canals, surrounded by modernist homes with upscale commercial and residential pockets, funky shops, street performers, and colorful murals. We welcome all visitors to check out our many tourist attractions and features, foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques, and coffee bars. We, of course, also encourage anyone to come visit our Pacific Community Police Station and learn about the Los Santos Police Department.
In 2023 Pacific Area is, despite its challenges, a buzzing beach city area and a picturesque enclave of canals, surrounded by modernist homes with upscale commercial and residential pockets, funky shops, street performers, and colorful murals. We welcome all visitors to check out our many tourist attractions and features, foodie hot spots, stylish boutiques, and coffee bars. We, of course, also encourage anyone to come visit our Pacific Community Police Station and learn about the Los Santos Police Department.