Violent Crime statistics continue to decline within the city of Los Angeles. Property crimes, such as burglary and theft, have continued to be a challenge for law enforcement agencies. How can we solve this consistent problem? Several solutions are being applied here in Central Area: community advisement, lighting and security improvement, and neighborhood watch implementation.
Central Area Senior Lead Officers have begun a campaign to distribute Crime Alert notices that are being placed on vehicles within downtown. Business Improvement District Officers are assisting LAPD officers in advising motorists to lock their vehicles, and to take all valuables out of parked cars such as GPS devices, computers, and cellular phones.
When officers respond to a Central Area crime location, a good investigation will include an evaluation of the immediate property including: lighting, locking mechanisms, windows, doors, security systems, and history of incidents. In order to prevent any future crime occurrence, we encourage victims to consistently evaluate and improve their residential or commercial properties.
A neighborhood watch program is an excellent crime prevention tool that is effective, and easily organized. I encourage all Central Area residents and businesses to combine your community resources by working closely with your neighbors. Contact your Senior Lead Officer for information about how you can be involved in improving the quality of life here in Central.
CPAB
At this time, I would like to encourage all Central residents and business owners to join our LAPD organization known as CPAB, or the Community Police Advisory Board. Your input is very valuable to us and being a member of CPAB provides you with the opportunity to be involved in your neighborhood. The commitment is minimal and the benefits are enormous to both you and the community you will be serving. Contact your Senior Lead Officer at 213-972-1880 for further information.
As Always, an Open Door
We encourage you to be involved. Our station never closes and we welcome your advice, suggestions and of course, your criticism and compliments. We will continue to “Protect and Serve” in the downtown area and we look forward to serving our residents in the downtown area.
Captain Jodi Wakefield
Commanding Officer
Central Area
BASIC CAR 1A1
Senior Lead Officer Ken Lew
Cell Phone 213-793-0733
E-mail: 27705@lapd.lacity.org
Basic Car 1A1 covers the communities of Chinatown, Olvera Street, Union Station, William Mead Housing Project, Solano Canyon, Bunker Hill Towers, Music Center and Victor Heights.
Grand Theft Auto
Although Burglary from Motor Vehicle has decreased, Grand Theft Auto is on the rise in the Victor Heights and Chinatown area. There have been several incidents that involved the Thefts of Honda’s Toyota’s and Acura’s. Please remember to lock and secure your vehicle prior to going into your house. Please place all valuables inside your house or in your trunk in which a suspect cannot see it.
Safety Tips
When at home, please do not leave your apartment or house windows opened or partially opened without a window jam. A suspect can crawl in and do damage to your home or most importantly, serious damage to anyone living inside.
Community Event
The Chinatown Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual “Moon Festival” on Saturday, September 13th. There will bands and many vendors exhibiting their foods and trades.
Olvera Street is also hosting its annual “Mexican Independence Day” at La Placita on September 12-14th.
Neighborhood Watch
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood please do not hesitate to contact me at the above number. You are welcome to visit any of the below listed neighborhood watch meetings to see how things are run.
Dates to remember:
September 10, 2008 @ 7:00 p.m. Victor Hgts Neighborhood Watch Mtg. (765 W. College)
Important numbers to remember:
Front Desk: 213-972-1298
Communication Division 213-928-8223
Central Detective Desk: 213-972-1203
Gang Detective: 213-972-1212
Vice Unit: 213-972-1273
Graffiti Hotline, Tree Trimming, Potholes, lighting, City Services, etc please call 3-1-1
BASIC CAR 1A29
Senior Lead Officer Jack Richter
Cell: 951-532-5766
E-Mail: 34991@lapd.lacity.org
Basic Car 1A29 covers the communities of Little Tokyo, The Arts District, and the eastern section of Skid Row.
Crime Trends
Burglary from Motor Vehicles are the primary Part One Crimes in our community. Please DO NOT leave any valuables inside your car and if you can, lock it in a secure garage area.
Lock your dumpsters! Report graffiti by calling 311!
Neighborhood Watch
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood do not hesitate to contact me at the above number.
Walk every Wednesday begins at Bloom’s Store (6:30 pm) Everyone Welcome!
Dates to remember:
Sept 07, 2008 – Los Angeles Triathlon, Nokia Theater – finish line.
Sept 16, 2008 @ 8:30am – C-PAB meeting, 333 S. Hope St (B of A Bldg)
Important numbers to remember:
Front Desk: 213-972-1298
Communication Division 213-928-8223
Central Detective Desk: 213-972-1203
Gang Detective: 213-972-1212
Vice Unit: 213-972-1273
Graffiti Hotline, Tree Trimming, Potholes, lighting, City Services, etc please call 3-1-1
Basic Car 1A61
Senior Lead Officer Tim Nambu 27426
Senior Lead Officer Mike Fernandez 34636
Crime Trends
There has been an increase in personal thefts along the 7th St corridor. These thefts are anything from purses and wallets to cell phones and lap top computers. Please do not leave any of your property unattended, even for a minute. Otherwise theses items will sprout legs and disappear.
Quality of Life Issues
Graffiti in the area is getting out of control. I need your help. If you find graffiti you can call 311 from any landline phone in the city and request graffiti removal. There is no cost to you or the building owner. It usually takes a few days before the graffiti is removed but rest assured it will be removed.
Contact Information
If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact me or my partner Officer Fernandez at one of the following phone numbers:
Office 213-972-1890
Cell 213-793-0743 – SLO Nambu
Cell 213-793-0731 – SLO Fernandez
E-mail 27426@lapd.lacity.org - SLO Nambu
E-mail 34636@lapd.lacity.org - SLO Fernandez
Upcoming Community Meetings / Events
Sept 07, 2008 – Los Angeles Triathlon, Nokia Theater – finish line.
Sept 16, 2008 @ 8:30am – C-PAB meeting, 333 S. Hope St (B of A Bldg)
Sept 20, 2008 @ 7:30am – South Park BID Community Clean-up, Mayan Theater (Hill St south of Olympic)
central bureau 
