“Lock It, Hide It, Keep It” – NR12515rh

November 14, 2012

A Thank You to Local Businesses and Continued Community Support

Los Angeles: This year more than two thousand Hollenbeck community members have been victims of auto-related thefts. To help prevent this number from rising, the Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it” Program will be a key aspect in this effort.  Community members will be informed of the number of Grand Theft Auto/Burglary/Thefts from Motor Vehicles (GTA/BFMV/BTFV) that have occurred and will be given a few simple steps to harden the target and minimizing being victimized.

Part of the strategy has been to hold community and neighborhood watch meetings to highlight the “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It,” campaign, raising awareness of the problem and providing a simple, but effective message. In an effort to keep that message from fading, the LAPD has joined together with Council Districts 1 and 14, local hospitals and businesses, such as White Memorial Medical Center, Northgate Market and SL Marketing, to come up with innovative ways to continue to spread the message through various advertising mediums.

Council Districts 1 and 14 have incorporated the message into their weekly e-blasts that reaches approximately 9,500 citizens in our community. Northgate Market customers are receiving the “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It” message in their grocery bags from November to the end of the year.

For the next two months, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will include the “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It” flyer in students’ take-home folders. These flyers will find their way into nearly 15,000 students’ homes.

The combined efforts and generous contributions of our business and City partners provided the means to get the “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It” message to thousands of Hollenbeck residents.

The LAPD wishes to thank the following individuals and companies for their valued partnership with LAPD and fellow citizens of the Hollenbeck community:

•Marisol Salguero, Council District 1
•Jennifer Martinez, Council District 14
•Ruben Maciel, SL Marketing
•Joseph Coria, Community Relations Officer, White Memorial Medical Center
•Saul Campos, Store Manager, Northgate Market

As the Holiday shopping season begins, auto-related theft crimes historically increase approximately 6%. The LAPD wants to remind everyone of the simple steps that can be taken to protect vehicles and valuables.

Our message is simple:

• Lock It: Lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended and take your valuables with you.
• Hide It: If you are going to leave property in your vehicle, hide your valuables in your trunk, under the seats, in the glove box, or other  compartments within the vehicle. When possible, take your property with you.
• Keep It: Personal responsibility is the best prevention to safeguard personal property and to prevent becoming a victim.

These simple steps can deter and prevent auto-related crimes.

For further information, please contact Sergeant I Minh Nguyen, at 213-793-0747.