Captain's Message Crime is down 7% in Central Area. This equates to approximately two hundred less crimes reported than last year. This represents the largest reduction we have seen in at least a year and a half, and is lower than the 2007 numbers. Currently Central Area has the lowest amount of crime in the WHOLE City. The next lowest Division is Hollenbeck (my old assignment) and they have about 300 more crimes than Central. This I attirbute to the great work done by both our officers and the partnerships we have built together. We know we could not post numbers this close to the end of the year without you.
Safer cities officers are continuing their hard work and are making a notable difference in skid row. As I mentioned before, I also believe this reduction in crime is a direct result of our community partnership. Please continue to show your support for the community and encourage others to get involved.
After attending a meeting with a representative from the County Health Department earlier this month, I would like to share some information I learned on the H1N1 virus. This virus is global and most prominent in young children. We are being reminded to use disinfectant to clean services, wash our hands routinely, and ask employees who are displaying symptoms of the flu to stay home. The County Health Department is also recommending the H1N1 vaccine. To view a list of County Health facilities offering the H1N1 vaccine, go to publichealth.lacounty.org or contact your health care provider.
I would also like to congratulate all City entities and individuals who made it possible to open our new police headquarters building. I attended the grand opening ceremony on October 24 and was very proud to participate in this historical event.
Captain III Blake Chow
Central Area Commanding Officer
Dates to remember:
November 12, 2009 Central Area Open House, 6 PM to 9PM
November 17, 2009 CPAB Meeting, Plaza Olvera, 830 AM
November 19, 2009 Charity Benefit for women’s shelters, 219 W. 7th St, 7 PM
Senior Lead Officer Tim Nambu #27426
Senior Lead Officer Ken Lew #27705
Basic Car 1A1
Crime Trends:
During the past month we had one distraction burglary. In this incident a male posing as an employee of the Department of Water and Power knocked on the door of an elderly gentleman stating that they had to check his water pipes. The resident let the suspect into his house and escorted him to the kitchen, failing to lock the front door. While in the kitchen the suspect, using a handheld radio contacted someone and spoke to them in Spanish. After the suspect left, the son of the resident noticed that the bedrooms had been ransacked and over $12,000.00 in cash and jewelry were missing.
If this occurs to you, ask to see their DWP identification. If they refuse to show you their identification DO NOT ALLOW THEM INTO YOUR HOUSE. Immediately call the police.
Contact Information
If you have any concerns or questions please feel free to contact me or my partner Officer Lew at one of the following:
Nov 10 @ 7:00pm – Chinatown Public Safety Association Mtg. 823 N. Hill St
Nov 11 @ 7:00pm – Victor Heights Neighborhood Watch Mtg, 765 W. College St
Nov 12 @ 6:00pm – Central Station Open House, 251 E. 6th St
Nov 14 @ 10:00am – International Tamale Festival, L.A. Historic State Park
Nov 17 @ 8:30am – C-PAB Meeting. Olvera St.
Nov 19 @ 12:00pm – Little Tokyo Public Safety Assoc Mtg. Location TBA.
Nov 26 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!!!!
BASIC CAR 1A29
Senior Lead Officer Stephen Nichols
Cell Phone 213-793-0742
Senior Lead Officer Earl Wright
Cell Phone 213-793-0732
Around the Neighborhood….
For the faithful who meet in front of Bloom’s General Store every Wednesday evening around 6:30-ish, thank you for keeping the neighborhood walk tradition alive. To everyone else who needs to be in attendance (and could benefit from the exercise), please join us at the above-mentioned place and time. Seriously, folks, it’s a good time and for a good cause…even though there is no real cause or agenda…it’s “just because…”
Neighborhood /Business Watch
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood/Business Watch please contact me (Officer Nichols) at the above number. This applies to lofts, also, as the Watch can be included in the HOA meetings.
Crime Trends and Concerns
Good news…the rash of burglary from motor vehicle crimes that plagued the east end of the Arts District for a couple of weeks seems to have abated. In a cooperative effort between LAPD and the CCEA, a couple of “persons of interest” were identified and monitored. And, in a proactive move undertaken by Safer City Initiative (SCI) officers, a suspect carrying burglary tools and stolen property from as far away as West LA Division was arrested in the Skid Row area. But, despite the police and security personnel in the area, it remains incumbent on each and every community member to be aware of their own personal safety (including their vehicles and residences) and that of others.
From last month - one last item of note: Consider carrying a whistle or pepper spray with you. Both are legal and both work in deterring crime – especially if you are perceived as vulnerable by someone who is looking for a victim. Always (!) be aware of your surroundings and never let your guide down, even in familiar environs.
Days/ Dates to remember:
Every Wed @ 6:30 P.M-Dog Walk – Hewitt/Traction. Bring your dog, pot-bellied pig, or whatever. Just come out for some exercise and social networking or just some Arts District gossip. And, you might drop a pound or two (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Other Topics of Interest:
Again, I would like to hear from the community regarding the idea of a dog park. If anyone has an idea – or ideas – as to where they would like to see the park located or has an idea as to land that may be suitable, please contact me. I will do everything in my power to make it happen; I just need some input.
I would also be interested in hearing from anyone who might want to join me for a community work day. This would most likely happen on a Saturday – maybe for 4 hours. There’s nothing like a neighborhood beautification effort to bring everyone together. If anyone is interested, you know how to reach me…
With the holidays approaching, it’s important to remember a couple of things: imbibe in moderation and slow down and enjoy life. Nothing is more important than inner peace and a sense of personal identity and purpose. (I’m sure somebody famous said that, I just don’t know who).
Until next month, please be safe and look out for each other. Remember… even if we aren’t related, we are all part of the human family. Enjoy your life to the fullest. Each day is a gift… that’s why it’s called the present. If you want to contact me via e-mail, I can be reached at: 33059@lapd.lacity.org. Ciao for now.
From Your SCI Senior Lead Officer Deon Joseph Basic Car 35
Hello Skid Row. It is the fall and as the weather changes, make sure you stay warm and be mindful of the upcoming flu season. We must be taking the proper steps to avoid getting and/or spreading the flu or even worse the H1N1 virus. Please be careful out there.
CRIME TRENDS
There were 8 Part One Crimes in the Skid Row area where I survey. Only 3 of them were of a violent nature. I would like to thank the dedicated SCI efforts, and the courage of the citizens who are coming forward with crime tips as a result of cleaner safer streets.
UPCOMING EVENTS
The Art Walk – November 12th @ 6PM Main Street/Spring Street between 5th and 7th.
The LAPD Central Community police Station Open House. While enjoying the art, feel free to come to Central Station for a tour of our facility. It will be an enlightening experience.
FEATURED RESOURCES
Here are just a few resources that may help you in finding employment, clearing up your records, or maintaining good health.
Amistad De Los Angeles (213) 743-9023
Weingart Women’s Renaissance (213) 624-3370
L.I.T.E. Program (213) 623-1173
RECORD EXPUNGEMENT WORKSHOP! (213) 365-9829
Re-Entry Legal Clinic (323) 357-8431
Los Angeles Christian Health Centers – FREE Comprehensive medical care – (213) 893-1960.
EIMAGO Job program - @ the Union Rescue Mission (213) 347-6300.
516 E. 4th Street – The Needle Exchange Program.
Just a thought from a Skid Row Cop
A THOUGHT ON COMMUNITY FROM A SKID ROW COP
The Webster’s definition of community is a unified body of individuals. It is also defined as a body of people living together with a common interest.
Many people have debated if Skid Row is worthy of being dubbed a Community. It is unfortunate that many people outside of the skid row realm view the people living within the community as a plague on society. Even worse, there are people who aren’t allowed to sell narcotics in their own communities due to gang injunctions. So they continue to come to skid row to sell poison and exploit the vices of this community for personal gain and furthering the demise of those within this community that are in recovery from a variety of addictions. These predators do not care that they are peddling the same drugs that flooded inner city communities to capitalize on their feelings of disenfranchisement, and desperation. They do not care that someone’s mother, sister, or father, or son is in skid row trying to get better via the service providers.
But in my walks through skid row over the years, I have met people who believe that though they live in one of the most crime ridden areas in this country; they still have pride in this area because this area is their home, and do desire safe clean streets. There are people that live and work down here like any other community. There are families and parks here like other communities.
The unique thing is this community unlike any other is designed for the rehabilitation of many of its members. Though this fact exists, gang members do not really care about you rehabilitating, and becoming a unified body of people for the betterment of your community. Their activities are used to keep you on a continued spiral of self-destruction for their own selfish gain.
Crime syndicates need you to continue in a destructive pattern that many of you are on, even as people in the missions and drug programs struggle to get their lives back.
Over the last two years, many groups have been trying to get you unified about many things, such as low income, housing, or protesting law enforcement efforts. But their efforts have been in vain mainly because their movements are not based wholly on truths.
In this community, we can begin to practice respecting each other’s rights to a safe crime free environment. We can unify and tell these opportunists that come from other areas that their activity is a betrayal to the efforts of people in skid row trying to get better. You can unify to use your own voice so other groups will not have to tell your story for you.
You can tell your stories so kids that come down here to sell cocaine and brutalize you will not only understand the illegalities of what they are doing, but the evil of it as well. You can unify to help keep these streets from looking like a city dump.
I want your quality of life to begin to improve now, because it kills me to see the true potential of this community hindered by criminals. As I stated before, the police are not the answer. We are only a tool you can utilize to get closer to a safe environment, but truly the rest is up to you. Without your influence and outward display of a desire for a better community, we will only be able to scratch the surface of crime in skid row and that is just want drug dealers want.
I am writing you this letter because you deserve better, for yourselves. I truly hope it may inspire you to stand for the right thing, not what seems right at the time. This can be a thriving community. Yes even here you have the power to show the world that anything is possible if we can work together in truth, not rhetoric, slander, or indoctrinated paranoia that keeps communities and the officers that serve them divided. God Bless all of you. You are always in my thoughts.
Senior lead Officer Deon Joseph
32511@lapd.lacity.org
213-793-0740.
Basic Car 1A41
Foot beat, Area 41
Senior Lead Officer Willie Carter #22256
Cell Phone # 213-793-0729
Boundaries for basic car 41
The boundaries for Basic Car 41 cover Central Division’s Jewelry Mart and Financial District area. This area covers from 3rd Street to the North and 7th Street to the South, Spring Street to the East and the 110 Freeway to the West.
Central Division’s Reporting Districts for Basic Car 41 are 141, 142, 151, 152, 134, 143, and 153.
Quality of Life Concerns
We have received complaints of quality of life crimes from the Grand Central Market, 600 Wilshire, and 4th /Hill metro platforms. We have advised the BID security, area patrol cars, and footbeat officers of the complaint. We are also frequenting these areas during our available time to address the problem.
Crime Alert
We do not have any crime patterns to report. We must still remind you to secure your personal property and be prepared for the holiday season.
Community Group Information
As many of you know, the ice rink is being built at Pershing Square. It is scheduled to open on November 19, 2009 through January 18, 2009. Pershing Square always does a wonderful job decorating the park. Please show your support and visit.
General Information
LAPD non emergency 877-ASK-LAPD
LAPD Noise Enforcement 213-847-3398
Central Area, Front Desk 213-485-3294
Business Improvement District
Security-Purple Shirts 213-624-2425
City Information 311
(Graffiti Removal, Bulky item removal, City services/information, ect.)
Central Explores Program 213-972-1892
Central Jeopardy Program 213-485-6586
BASIC CAR 61
Senior Lead Officer Mike Fernandez
Cell Phone 213-793-0731
Senior Lead Officer Karen Owens
Cell Phone 213-944-1237
Basic Car 1A61 covers the 110 Fwy east side, south side of 7th St, and the west side of Hill St, to the north side of Washington St. (RDs’0161, 0171, 0181, 0182, 0191, 0192)
Introduction
This month due to the generated complaints from citizens and business owners regarding the large volume of individuals sleeping on the sidewalk in the middle of the day because it was very shady on Olive Street between Olympic Blvd and 12th St. The Department of Public Works came down and trimmed all the trees. Since the trees were trimmed, I no longer see anyone sleeping on the sidewalk in the middle of the day. Thank you Public Works. If you need your trees trimmed please notify us. I want you also to know there is a long waiting list but it is better to put your name on it.
Neighborhood /Business Watch
Why you as a Business or a neighborhood should have a community meeting. The first reason is to get to know all the people in your block or building. The second is to be able to get information from other entities that are helpful to you. You can get to know your Senior Lead Officer and the police who handle your area. You can learn the law which applies to your needs.
Pedestrian Traffic
I want to advise citizens to remember when the red flashing don’t walk signal is flashing, you should not walk. Take a few moments and wait on the next light. If you do walk against the flashing don’t walk signal an officer has the option to give you a citation. Some of the lights are currently giving you a certain amount of seconds to cross the streets. If you have not stepped off the sidewalk before the countdown, you will be in violation and subject to citation.
Dates to Remember
November 3, 2009- Tuesday- 9:00 A.M. - 1149 S. Broadway St-Business Watch meeting located AT&T Tower 3rd floor conference room- South Park Stack Holder meeting
November 19, 2009- Thursday-08:30 A.M. - 919 S. Grand Ave-Business Watch meeting located at FIDM 2nd floor conference room-South Park Stack Holder meeting
Staples Center -WNBA is the month of November
Staples Center-MNBA is the month of November
Staples Center-Hockey in the month of November
Nokia-variety of concerts in the month of November
November 1, 2009-Los Angeles Convention Center-Ski Dazzle Ice Skating Show
November 3, LACC-New- Beginning Conference: National Career Fairs
November 4, 2009, Los Angeles Convention Center-Million Trees Citywide Youth Conference
November 5, 2009, LACC- Career Builders Career Fair
November 6, 2009, LACC-Adobe Photoshop Seminar
November7-9, 2009-, LACC-Amer. Assn. of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual
Fall Convention West Coast Ultrasound Institute
November 17-19, 2009, LACC Microsoft PDC
November 22, 2009, Nokia Theatre-American Music awards
BASIC CAR 1A85
Senior Lead Officer Tracy Fischer
Cell Phone: 213-793-0734
Email: 36418@lapd.lacity.org
Basic Car 1A85 covers the area bordered by 7th Street on the north, Washington Boulevard on the south, Hill Street on the west, with an eastern border of San Pedro Street between 7th Street and 9th Street and Maple Avenue between 9th Street and Washington Boulevard. This area contains the Flower District and Fashion District.
CRIME UPDATE
Since March of this year there have been (18) reported burglaries from delivery vans in the Fashion District area. As we move into the holidays it is important that everyone keeps an eye out for opportunistic criminals who use the season of good cheer as the time of easy profit. And this includes your own vehicle when you put large bags full of goodies into the trunk and go back to shopping. Criminals are always watching and would love to take your holiday presents home with them. Please use caution and common sense and enjoy a safe holiday season!
Also, a big thank you goes out to Fashion District BID security officers Nancy Alonso and Walter Medrano whose keen observation skills resulted in a fantastic commercial burglary arrest! Nice work!
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
A new Neighborhood Watch group will be starting up in the month of November for the Chapman Lofts and the Eastern Columbia building. If you live in either of those buildings and want to be involved, please contact me and I will make sure to get your information to the new block captain and to let you know when the first meeting will be held. The 740 Club will be one of our first topics so get your opinion heard!
UPCOMING EVENTS
I hope to see everyone at the Central Community Police Station open house on November 12th (6pm-9pm)! The Senior Lead Officers, including myself, will be providing tours of the station!
November 13th – Santee Lofts Neighborhood Watch meeting
CONTACT ME
If you have any concerns or information about activity in the area, please call my cell number 213-793-0734, or email me at either 36418@lapd.lacity.org.
central community police station 
