Crime Prevention Tips
#1 LOCK YOUR DOORS: A lot of crimes that occur are crimes of
opportunity. A door to door salesman, a gardener passing out business
cards or a restaurant employee giving out menus walks throughout the
neighborhood knocking on multiple doors. Who is to say that they don't
try the handle on a few and if unlocked take the opportunity to relieve
you of some jewelry. These are not criminal masterminds or career
burglars but criminal opportunists and your property is just as gone.
#2 LOCK ALL OF YOUR WINDOWS: It does no good to lock your doors and the
majority of your windows only to leave a small bathroom window open to
let in air. Just because you may not be able to fit through the window
does not mean that someone else won't.
#3 EQUIP UPSTAIRS WINDOWS WITH ALARMS: A lot of victims had no alarm
system for the upstairs windows. "Laddermen, Second Story Crews" etc are
some of the names we have given to guys who break in through upstairs
windows in order to bypass alarm systems.
#4 JOIN A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP: It really stands that if everyone in
a particular neighborhood knew each other and looked out for each other
then criminals would have no place to operate. Neighborhoods with a
strong Watch group who report suspicious activity to the Police see a
reduction in crime.
Residential Safety Tips
Residents who park their vehicles outside of their garages should
always remember to take their garage door openers with them. We have
seen on multiple occasions suspects breaking into vehicles for the
purpose of obtaining the garage door opener. The suspects enter the
garage and remove the victims tools and other valuables.
An additional consideration is to always ensure that the interior
door from your house to the garage is locked and secured. Pet doors into
your home also offer an easy way for would be burglars to enter your
home. Always remember to make your home as safe and secure as possible.
For additional safety tips and current crime trends in your community
contact your Senior Lead Officers and find out how you can get involved
in the Neighborhood Watch Program.
Senior Lead Officer Dennis Cunningham #34966
Topanga Area, 818-756-3070
WNC Traffic Issues Update
 At
the April 2009 meeting the Board received word that the request for installation
of "No Unhitched Trailers" signs is moving forward. The Board specifically
addressed the blight and danger of unhitched trailers with advertising by
passing a motion at the January 2009 meeting requesting signs saying, "No
Unhitched Trailers". The signs are requested for Winnetka Ave (between Victory
Blvd. and Parthenia Ave), Roscoe Blvd (between Corbin Ave and DeSoto Ave), and
Sherman Way (between Corbin Ave and DeSoto Ave).”
Read the
letter.
At the January 2009 meeting the Board also approved a motion to share the cost
of solar powered speed indicators signs with Councilman Zine. These signs tell
motorists how fast they are going and are expected to cause drivers to reduce
their speeds. However, as of April 2009, the cost has gone up significantly and
the Board decided not to move forward with the signs.
To address speeding the Board did make a recommendation in April 2009 to the
City to allow for the current increased speed of 40 mph on Mason, Victory & De
Soto. The City had completed a traffic study indicating that the speed limits on
those streets should be increased to 40 mph. Once the City makes the change,
then officers will be able to issue tickets using radar.
WNC Supports Topanga Police Station
The WNC provided the Topanga Police Station with a printer and print
cartridges in October 2009. Detective Chris Ruiz in charge of the Juvenile Unit
at the Topanga Station noted that the station appreciated the support!
Truancy Task Force
On June 5, 2009 the Multi-Agency Truancy Task Force was conducted and
65 minors were picked up for being truant during the hours of 8 am and
1:30pm. A parent of each minor had to pick up the minor at Winnetka
Recreation Park from 7:30 am -2:00 pm. Thank you to all who
participated.
LAPD Responsive to Winnetka Needs
LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sue Herrold from Devonshire Division reported on
efforts to serve Winnetka and took careful notes on stakeholder concerns to be
addressed during the April 2009 meeting. Of special note were next steps on
addressing the soon to open second medical marijuana facility in Winnetka and
the existing facility called "Hope" located on Vanowen near Winnetka. Hope
opened near a school and without permits.
LAPD is also addressing a strip mall on Roscoe east of Winnetka that has been a
problem and a recycling facility which is a magnet for public drunkenness on
Roscoe near Jons Market.
New Drugs Marketed to Kids
 New
drug in Schools...
This is a new drug known as 'strawberry quick '.
There is a very scary thing going on in the schools right now that we
all need to be aware of.
There is a type of crystal meth going around that looks like strawberry
pop rocks (the candy that sizzles and 'pops' in your mouth). It also
smells like strawberry and it is being handed out to kids in school
yards. They are calling it strawberry meth or strawberry quick.
Kids are ingesting this thinking that it is candy and being rushed off
to the hospital in dire condition. It also comes in chocolate, peanut
butter, cola, cherry, grape and orange.
 Please
instruct your children not to accept candy from strangers and even not
to accept candy that looks like this from a friend (who may have been
given it and believed it is candy) and to take any that they may have to
a teacher, principal, etc. immediately.
Pass this on to as many people as you can (even if they don't have kids)
so that we can raise awareness and hopefully prevent any tragedies from
occurring.
Fox News Article
LAPD ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SAFETY MEETING
At the April 15, 2008 meeting Captain Sherman discussed the Topanga
station planned for opening January 2009. The response time to calls
will most likely be quicker since the station is closer. And PALS,
Explorers, Jeopardy and the Reserve Officers will also be on-site.
Senior Lead Officer Maldonado was on hand to hear concerns about
graffiti, vagrants, and bars. There was a discussion about possibly
installing graffiti watch cameras that not only take pictures of taggers
in action, but sound an alert notifying them that they are being
watched. This system is hoped to deter graffiti. The committee is
working with Officer Maldonado to determine the best places for camera
installation.
The committee recommended that the WNC board make a stand in favor of
Jamiel's law, which would repeal the LAPD's policy of disregarding the
immigration status of persons who are arrested or convicted of
committing violent crimes. This law was proposed when Jamiel Andre Shaw,
a high school football star was gunned down near his home by a recently
released man serving time for assault with a deadly weapon. He may have
been here illegally. Read more about
Jamiel's Law. Additional
commentary about Jamiel's Law.
Runnymede Park Safety
The Board continues to be concerned about safety at Runnymede Park. We voted in May
2007 to send letters to Councilman Zine and Mayor Villaraigosa requesting more police patrols and lights at the park. We are also sending a letter to Mr. Dickson of Parks and Recreation asking for more lighting.
RUNNYMEDE PARK UPDATE FOR APRIL 06
04/06/06 By JJ Popowich
Over the last year the WNC has been working with stakeholders, the LAPD,
Park Rangers, and Recreation & Parks to address problems at Runnymede
Park.
LAPD Senior Lead Officer Raigoza has been instrumental in helping the
WNC clean the park up. Through her efforts we’ve been able to arrange
well over 30 hours of Vice and Bike Patrols. The results have been
arrests for gambling and public drunkenness. Stakeholders in the area
have noted the improvement as well.
The newest problem to pop up at the park are reports of loitering near
the Gifford Street entrance. The Public Safety Committee held a hearing
earlier this year and voted to request the entrance be closed. The
request has been sent to the Department of Recreation and Parks, but
they have expressed some concerns.
The Parks feels that the closure is a drastic measure that should be a
last resort. This is an issue the WNC wrestled with in our public
hearing. We had hoped that more stakeholders would have attended to
express their opinions about the closure. Unfortunately there were only
a very few who showed. The problem with this entrance and the loitering
is that the LAPD can only do so much. The laws that apply to loitering
require the officers to provide a warning first. If the individuals move
on, then they can't arrest them. Those that have been observed loitering
always disperse willingly. This is the reason the LAPD recommended we
close the entrance.
The WNC will continue to work on this issue and negotiate solutions with
the LAPD and Recreation & Parks. However, if you still see issues at
this park and are truly interested in resolving the problems then we
urge you to come to our meetings and work with us to address the
communities concerns. The five committee members can not do it alone.
RUNNYMEDE PARK - WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST
The WNC is making progress in regards to cleaning up Runnymede Park.
As a result of the WNC's actions over the last few months the City has
stepped up to the plate and is starting to address stakeholder concerns
at the park.
Late last month several members from various agencies met with
Councilmember Zine's Field Deputy to review the park and the WNC's
requests. On October 11, 2005, several Board members had a chance to
meet with several high level representatives of various agencies
regarding the park in an informal get together after the Board meeting
was canceled.
As a result of our focus the LAPD Vice and Bike squad has spent a
combined 30 hours over the last week and a half at the park. Officer
Crosby from the West Valley Division announced that the Vice unit made
two arrests for gambling and one for public drunkenness. The Bike squad
made another three arrests for gambling. He commented that this is a
tremendous effort and focus on this park that is unusual and it's had a
positive impact.
Acting Chief Park Ranger, Albert Torres, commented that they are also
committed to cleaning up this park. Chief Torres said he has requested
the Recreation & Parks to add additional signage at the park with the 24
hour hotline for stakeholders and park goers to call to report problems.
The Rangers have committed to responding as soon as possible to the
reports. He cautioned there are only 24 Rangers serving all of Los
Angeles and a number of support personnel. While they can't guarantee
immediate response (it depends on where the Rangers are at the time of
the call) they will respond and follow up on complaints.
Chief Torres pointed out that resolving the problems at Runnymede will
take a partnership between the residents and the various city agencies.
Chief Torres continued by saying his focus is to look at the trends as
well as address the immediate concerns. He urged residents and park
goers to report problems. The more data he has to see trends the better
he can allocate resources and work with other agencies to get the
resources that are needed.
Recreation & Parks had two representatives in attendance. Superintendent
X and Laura Bauernfeind. Ms. Bauernfeind said the park is increasing the
sign postings in both English and Spanish listing restrictions against
moon bouncers. They will also be posting new signs with the Park
Ranger's number as well. She also announced that they will be adding
additional trash cans throughout out the park.
One of the main requests the WNC made in it's motion from earlier in the
year was to reduce the number of picnic tables in the park. Ms.
Bauernfeind said that Recreation & Parks did consider the request but
felt that they number of tables was warranted. She explained that the
decision was based on the belief that the families that use the park
would have a bigger benefit if they were left. She commented that this
should encourage family usage.
WNC President, Mr. Popowich, questioned the logic of leaving the tables.
He asked, "What am I supposed to say to the stakeholders when they ask
why we can't get the tables removed?" He went on to ask at what point
the stake holder's desires matter to the City. He pointed out that the
WNC has held meetings where we had over 30 stakeholders asking for the
benches to be removed. He also spoke about his own observance of
gambling and how they use the tables, describing in detail the gambling
operation. He stressed that we have to present results to these
stakeholders.
Superintendent X committed to reviewing the issue again. He asked for an
opportunity to have his staff look at the park this week and see if they
can present a compromise proposal on the number of tables. He confirmed
that they will consider reducing the tables. X will report back to the
Board with a compromise by the next regular Board meeting. He also
stressed that this was an opportunity to get the community to work to
resolve their issues.
Mr. Popowich said, ''the WNC and City have struggled for several months
to get this problem addressed." He went on to say that he was thankful
the City was able to stay and talk to them and said he feels, "this is a
new beginning and the start of what looks like a good working
relationship."
The WNC will continue to focus on this problem and is still planning to
have a Winnetka Night Out at the park once we can ensure we have enough
stakeholders who are willing to assist in arranging the event.
|