Message from the Commanding Officer, Devonshire Area
Did you know that October is National Crime Prevention Month? Here's how you can participate in crime prevention along with the Los Angeles Police Department. Attend your Basic Car meetings. Every Basic Car in Devonshire Area has a monthly meeting. In those meetings, crime updates and crime prevention practices are discussed. Often, there are guest speakers who are subject matter experts on a particular crime topic or a quality of life issue.
Another way to get involved is to consider hosting a Neighborhood Watch meeting in your community. Neighborhood Watch meetings are a smaller, more personal version of the Basic Car meeting. Your first meeting is called a "start up" meeting and your Senior Lead Officer attends to offer their experience and expertise regarding your area. After the start up meeting, it's up to the neighborhood how often they choose to meet. A strong cornerstone in crime prevention is the strength of the Neighborhood Watch program. If you've thought about having a Neighborhood Watch program in your area, contact your Senior Lead Officer by phone or e-mail address listed below.
Basic Car Area 17A23
Senior Lead Officer Daniel Del Valle - Cell Phone: 818-634-0362
Crime Trends and Locations
Basic Car 17A23 had an increase of Burglary/ Theft from Motor Vehicles (B/TFMV). The area of concern is from Topanga Canyon to Winnetka Avenue and Devonshire Street to Lassen Street. These crimes are taking place during late night to early morning hours. Residential Burglaries actually decreased this past month.
Commendable Officer Incident
During a traffic stop, officers smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the violator's vehicle, which led to the arrest of the occupants for narcotics. During the investigation, the smell of marijuana was so intense in the area which led the officers to a nearby dwelling. Officers obtained a search warrant and discovered a major narcotic grow. Approximately $25 million worth of marijuana was seized.
Crime Tips
Call police to report suspicious activity. Don't rely on your neighbors to call the police. Responsibility starts with YOU. Please shred all papers thrown in the trash or recycling bin that contain personal information. Many fall victim to identity theft. Predators go through your trash and recycling bins on trash day as their resource. If you see strangers going through your or your neighbor's trash, please call for police to investigate.
Neighborhood Events
Thursday, October 22, 2009, at 7:00 PM is our next Basic Car Neighborhood Watch Meeting at Saint John Eudes Church, located at 9901 Mason Avenue.
Basic Car Area 17A35
Senior Lead Officer Dario Del Core - Cell Phone: 818-634-0577
Crime Trends and Locations
Based on the latest Crime Analysis Detail information received, 17A35 showed Residential Burglary activity in the upper portion of Reporting Districts (RD's) 1727 and 1728. There is also a recent tight pattern of three Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicles (B/TFMV) in RD 1754.
Commendable Officer and Citizen Incidents
Devonshire Officers Connell and Haering were patrolling the area of Rinaldi Street and Encino Avenue when they observed an individual sprint across the street, enter an older BMW and drive away at a high rate of speed. The officers followed the vehicle and, despite the driver's efforts to elude officers, they were able to stop him in a nearby alley. The investigation revealed the suspects had just burglarized a residence on White Oak Avenue. All suspects were arrested and all property was recovered.
Crime Tips
Stay alert and tune into your surroundings, wherever you are – at school or the mall, on the street, waiting for a bus, or driving. Send the message that you're alert, calm, confident, and know where you're going. Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or situation and leave as soon as possible. Immediately start thinking how to react if the person approaches you.
Neighborhood Events
Our next meeting will be on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 7:00 PM at Saint Euphrasia church, 11766 Shoshone Avenue in Granada Hills.
Basic Car Area 17A49
Senior Lead Officer Janine Angeles, Cell Phone: 818-325-7749
Crime Trends
Between August 10 and September 10, 2009, there were 77 total crimes. Burglary/ Theft from Motor Vehicle (B/TFMV) crimes increased compared to last year same period. Other crimes in our Basic Car had decreased. There were four Robberies, one Aggravated Assault, 20 Burglaries and 11 Grand Theft Autos. The majority of our crime is occurring between the hours of 12:00 PM. and 6:00 PM. Please keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. If you see suspicious behavior, such as people looking into cars or houses, or if you see a crime in progress, please call 9-1-1.
Crime Tips
Fall is here and we are approaching the Holiday season. Halloween is a fun holiday for everyone to enjoy! There are a few simple "crime prevention" tips to keep in mind for you and your family's safety. If you are trick-or-treating with your kids, be very aware of your surroundings! If possible, do not leave your house unattended. Walk with your children and do not let them trick-or-treat alone. Make sure all of the treats are properly wrapped. Do not invite strangers into your home. If you put real candles in your pumpkin, remember to blow the candles out before you go in for the evening.
Neighborhood Events
17A49 Basic Car meeting will be Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at 7:00 PM., 10124 Balboa Boulevard. Guest speaker: To be announced.
Basic Car Area 17A67
Senior Lead Officer Kathy Bennett - Cell Phone: 818-634-0495
Crime Trends and Locations
Our Basic Car has experienced a spike in Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicle (B/TFMV) crime along the Reseda corridor. More specifically, Reseda Boulevard between Lassen Street and Plummer Street, and Reseda Boulevard between Prairie Street and Nordhoff Street. This trend isn't surprising with the new school year starting at the college.
Commendable Citizen Incident
A young male and female were walking on the street when a car pulled up and two suspects exited the vehicle. One suspect displayed a gun and demanded their property. The male victim gallantly requested the suspects to take just his property; and surprisingly, the suspects listened! As the suspects fled in a vehicle, the young couple was able to see and retain the suspect's vehicle license number…allowing our officers to do a follow-up to the location where the vehicle was registered and all suspects were taken into custody.
Crime Tips
Be careful what information you provide to social networking websites and their related applications. Some sites have "quizzes" that may seem like harmless fun, but ask for your name and/or birth date or other personal information. Be sure to monitor your children's computer use.
Neighborhood Events
Our Basic Car meeting will be Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at
7:00 p.m. at Calahan Elementary School, 18722 Knapp Street, Northridge.
Basic Car Area 17A81
Senior Lead Officer Sue Herold - Cell Phone: 818-634-0579
Crime Trends and Locations
There appears to be a growing trend of Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicle (B/TFMV), Residential Burglary and Grand Theft Auto (GTA) along Parthenia between De Soto Avenue and Tampa Avenue. De Soto Avenue north and south between Lassen Street and Roscoe Boulevard is very active once again and I ask that any suspicious activity be reported as a "Calls-for-Service".
Commendable Officer and Citizen Incidents
I would like to thank all of the wonderful people in Reporting District 1792 (Parthenia Street to Roscoe Boulevard between Tampa Avenue and Winnetka Avenue). All your e-mails and calls are helping to identify where and who is causing the upswing in your area! Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Crime Tip
Please lock your doors and do not leave any items in view of passersby and Burglars. Those of us who enjoy Northridge Mall should be aware cars do get burglarized at the mall. Relocate all items in your vehicles to a locked separate compartment and then move your vehicle if you are going to continue shopping.
Neighborhood Events
The Basic Car meeting for 17A81 will be held at Devonshire Station at 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 15, 2009. See you all there!
Basic Car Area 17A95
Senior Lead Officer Ken Cioffi - Cell Phone: 818-363-1726
Crime Trends and Locations
Residential Burglaries within Basic Car 17A95 still seem to be the major problem. There were a total of 23 residential burglaries reported. Reporting District (RD) 1777 had five, 1797 had three, 1768 had two, 1788 had two, 1798 had two, 1776 had one, 1778 had one, 1779 had three, 1795 had two, 1796 had one and 1799 had one. Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicle (B/TFMV) crimes were reduced from 19 to only seven.
Commendable Officers and Citizen Incidents
This month's commendable officer is Carl Oschman who cleaned up Basic Car 17A95 while I was on vacation. Officer Oschman enjoys dealing with quality of life issues. He has impounded several vehicles and dealt with an illegal vehicle repair shop. Officer Oschman is a dedicated officer with 21 years of experience.
Crime Tips
We are always told not to leave valuables in our cars to prevent B/TFMV from occurring. However, with identity theft on the rise, we generally do not think to remove paperwork from inside our vehicles. Please do not leave anything that would compromise your identity - bank statements, social security information, credit card statements or anything with information on it that you do not want someone to have.
Neighborhood Events
October Basic Car Meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 7: 00 PM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 17037 Plummer Street, Northridge.
devonshire community police station 
