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February 2012 Vol. III, No. 1
USEFUL INFORMATION
Just a reminder, the City of Los Angeles has a 3-1-1 system for your use. It is easy to use and you can pretty much access all City services through it. Remember that the number can only be dialed from your home telephone. When you are finished making your request for service, ask for a confirmation number from the operator.
The following are some other useful phone numbers for everyone to use. Please make note of the following:
- EMERGENCY 9-1-1
- DISPATCH 3-1-1
- FOOTHILL FRONT DESK (818) 756-8861
- VALLEY TRAFFIC (818) 644-8142
- CITY OF LA INFORMATION 3-1-1
- GRAFFITI REMOVAL 3-1-1 or (800) 247-3395
- FOOTHILL VICE (818) 834-3170
- FOOTHILL GANG UNIT (818) 897-6970
- ABANDONED VEHICLES 3-1-1 or (800) 222-6366
- OPERATION BRIGHT LITES 3-1-1 or (800) 303-5267
- BULKY ITEM PICK UP 3-1-1 or (800) 773-2489
Senior Lead Officer Cedric Ingram (SLO 11)
818-634-0652
E-mail: 32282@lapd.lacity.org
Pacoima
Foothill Area is off to a great start in 2012. Foothill Area was number one in crime reduction out of 21 Areas in the month of January. We will continue our partnerships with the community in an effort to reduce crime further.
I recently conducted a neighborhood watch meeting in the area of Dronfield Ave. and Montford Street. The main topic of discussion was emergency preparedness. The Los Angeles City Fire Department offers emergency preparedness classes. The name of the program is called CERT. You can contact your local fire station directly or you can contact me at the above number. It is extremely important to be prepared for the next natural disaster. Being prepared may make the difference in your survival.
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Basic Car 16A11, Van Nuys Boulevard to south, to the 5 Freeway to the west, Foothill Boulevard to the east and Arroyo Street to the north.
There still have been a lot of burglaries from motor vehicles east of San Fernando Rd.
************* I ask that all of you sign up with NIXLE.COM for community crime alerts and information from Foothill Division that is text messaged to your cell phone. This is a great way of staying informed with information that comes from your police station.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
For the month of February, there will be a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 13365 Pinney Street, Pacoima 91331, on February 1, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. Contact Block Captain Reyna Salas at 818-899-6380 for more information.
There will be a Neighborhood Watch meeting at 12731 Montford St. Pacoima 91331 on February 22, 2012. The meeting is open to the public, so if you live in the area, feel free to attend. The meeting will start at 6:00 p.m., so bring your questions and concerns.
CRIME TIPS: *IMPORTANT*
It is important to park your car in a well-lit location and secure all doors and windows to your vehicle. We have had a big increase in grand theft autos this past month. The majority of the grand theft autos have occurred east of Glenoaks Boulevard. Report any suspicious activity observed in the area so we can apprehend the suspects who are taking your vehicles. It is a huge inconvenience for you to wake up in the morning to go to work and discover your vehicle has been stolen. So remember to lock that vehicle when you park it at night.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Distracted driving has become a huge problem in the age of the cell phone. If you are driving and talking on your cell phone, you are in violation of 23123(a) VC. Driving and texting puts you in violation of 23123.5(a) VC. These are all moving violations and count as points against your driving record. Remember that driving and talking on your cell or texting while driving is extremely dangerous.
SLO Adriana Munguia (SLO 23)
818-634-0685
E-mail address: 30116@lapd.lacity.org
Hello, hope everyone is doing well and being careful out in the street now that the rain is here. I see people speeding and splashing through water. It seems every time it rains, there is an accident on Osborne and Laurel Canyon. Please be cautious and considerate of other drivers as well as being safe for yourself and your family. We have a new neighborhood watch on Kelowna Street, come and join us at our next meeting. See below for locations and dates of a meeting near you.
If you have any questions, call, drop-by or send me an e-mail. See you out there and be safe.
Don’t forget to sign up with NIXLE.COM for community crime alerts and information from Foothill Division that is text messaged to your cell phone. This is a great way of staying informed with information that comes from your police station. You will have up-to-date information and be well informed of what is going on in the community.
CRIME TRENDS
In the South Pacoima area, crime trends remain the same. Our biggest problem is Grand Theft Auto (GTA). Lock and secure your vehicle at all times. Be aware of where you park. Our second highest crime is Theft. Do not take your eyes off your property. The price of gold is up and so are the thefts of gold. There have been a lot of reported chain snatches and everyone should be aware that wearing a lot of jewelry right now is not the best thing to do. Remember, you have to help yourself and avoid being a victim.
Don’t forget to drop by the station and get the special screws for your plates… free. Come on down and we (police) will change out the screws in a few minutes.
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS:
* Beaware of strangers in your neighborhood.
* If possible, obtain an alarm or lock for your car.
* If someone is “hanging around” in your block that does not belong, notify your neighbors.
* Report suspicious activity. Call the Foothill Desk and keep the SLO Officer (me) informed.
* Foothill Desk (818) 756-8861.
* ALWAYS CALL 911 when you observe unknown suspects breaking in to any vehicle or home.
FOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT FOOTHILL AREA AUTO OR BURGLARY DETECTIVES AT (818) 834-3115.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS
There are different locations for the community to attend a neighborhood watch meeting. Please make it a point to attend any of the following and do your part for your neighborhood.
The Hansen Hills Neighborhood Watch - March 9, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., at the Pacoima Community Center, 11243 Glenoaks Blvd.
The San Fernando Gardens Neighborhood Watch meeting is on February 16, 2012, at 5 p.m., located at 10982 Lehigh Ave.
The Haddon Neighborhood Watch postponed till further notice.
6:30 pm located at Haddon Elementary, 10115 Haddon Ave.
The MontagueNeighborhood Watch meetings will now be on-call basis. Montague will advise. Usually at 7:00 p.m. Montague Elementary, 13000 Montague St.
The Chivers Neighborhood Watch meetings will be on-call basis. 6:00 p.m., located at the rear of Discovery Prep. Carl St and Phillippi Ave.
The David Gonzalez ParkNeighborhood Watch meeting will be on March 9, 2012, at
5:00 p.m., located at David Gonzalez Park, 10943 Herrick Ave.
The Kelowna Neighborhood Watch (NEW Meeting) will be in March 14, 2012, at 6:00p.m., at 13035 Kelowna St.
You can also attend the Pacoima Neighborhood Council meetings and have a voice for your area. February 15, 2012, at 6:30 p.m., at the Pacoima City Hall, 13509 Van Nuys Blvd.
Please join us. It is a good way to find out what is going on in your area.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
If there are any problem traffic areas that you would like to have patrolled, please call Valley Traffic at (818) 644-8142.
USEFUL INFORMATION
A reminder about the 3-1-1 system. Any of the Los Angeles City services can be obtained from that phone number. Remember that the number can only be dialed from your home telephone. When you are finished ask for a confirmation number from the operator.
Senior Lead Officer Larry Martinez (SLO 59)
(818) 634-0705
E-mail address: 31179@lapd.lacity.org
Thank You
I am writing this to let my community know that I have been promoted to the rank of Sergeant. I will be transferring to Van Nuys Station as of January 29, 2012. I have dedicated myself to my community and will leave with a heavy heart. I have enjoyed this chapter of my career and look forward to the next.
I would like to thank all of the hard working people in the communities of Lake View Terrace, Sunland and Shadow Hills. Over the past 9 ½ years that I have been the Senior Lead Officer, I have encountered many challenges. I would have never been able to do my job and grow as an LAPD Officer if it was not for my dedicated Block Captains, Council Office Districts 2 and 7, the Neighborhood Councils and the Foothill Mounted Patrol. These community groups assisted me with resources and information that enabled me to resolve issues that I otherwise would never know about. THANK YOU!
Hate Crimes
INTRODUCTION
The City of Los Angeles has a unique and culturally diverse population. Its residents represent nearly every culture, nationality, race and religion on earth. This diversity has significantly contributed to making Los Angeles the vibrant and dynamic City it is today. Unfortunately, there are people and groups who would attack this heritage by committing crimes and acts, targeting members of specific groups that help make our City diverse. These crimes and acts that target members of a specific group are called hate crimes and hate incidents. Hate crimes and hate incidents are motivated by prejudice. Prejudice is a serious social problem. Prejudice means having beliefs and making judgments without knowing the facts. Prejudice is also known as bias, bigotry and intolerance. It is important to know the facts about hate crimes and hate incidents, because knowing the facts places the community in a much better position to recognize hate crimes and hate incidents as a very serious community problem. Hate crimes and hate incidents should never be written off as pranks or bad behavior.
HATE CRIME
A hate crime is any criminal act or attempted criminal act directed against a person or persons based on the victim’s actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender.
Examples of hate crimes include:
- Acts that result in injury, even if the injury is slight.
- Threats of violence that looks like they can be carried out.
- Acts which result in property damage.
- Any criminal act or attempted criminal act, including property damage, directed against public or private agencies.
HATE INCIDENTS
Hate incidents are similar to hate crimes in that the act is directed against a person or persons based on the victim’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, political affiliation, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or position in a labor dispute. The difference between a hate incident and a hate crime is that a hate incident is not a criminal act. Examples of hate incidents include:
- Offensive materials such as hate flyers placed in mailboxes or thrown on lawns.
- Hate materials, not resulting in property damage, such as demeaning caricatures depicting a racial, ethnic or a religious group.
- Hate graffiti in public places not directed against a specific target such as an epithet on a vacant building.
HATRED HURTS EVERYONE!
The victims, their families and friends can suffer serious personal, financial, and emotional losses, as a result of a hate crime or a hate incident. Hate crime and hate incidents can divide neighborhoods and communities by raising levels of fear and suspicion, and lowering openness and cooperation. Hate crimes, hate incidents and racist behaviors are direct threats to the principles of democracy and equality. People who are involved in hate crimes and hate incidents are often unhappy, easily swayed and mixed-up emotionally. Many have had few, if any, successes in life. Bias, bigotry, intolerance and participation in hate crime and hate incidents serve as an outlet for their frustrations. They are easily taken in by the persuasive talk of hate groups. Their involvement in hate prevents them from meeting new challenges and taking positive steps toward leading more productive and fulfilling lives.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
The LAPD has long recognized the serious nature of crimes and incidents motivated by hatred and are one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to establish specialized procedures for the handling of hate crimes and hate incidents. In addition to a designated LAPD Hate Crime Coordinator of the rank of Commander, detectives are also designated as hate crime coordinators in each of the geographic Area Community Police Stations of the LAPD. In 1997, the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners established a Hate Crimes Task Force consisting of members of the LAPD and representatives from community organizations such as the Asian Pacific Legal Center, Anti-Defamation League, Gay and Lesbian Services Center and the Simon Wiesenthal Center. The task force members focused on the need to revise hate crime procedures, including the need to raise the level of command accountability within the ranks of the LAPD.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
Hate crimes can be prosecuted either as misdemeanors (lesser offenses) or felonies (more seriousoffenses), depending on the severity of the acts committed. Hate crimes can be prosecuted, and hate incidents are tracked by the LAPD. Hate crimes and hate incidents not only affect the victim they affect all of society. Hate crimes and hate incidents strike at the very heart of our society. Our country, constitution, and national character are based on tolerance and respect for the rights and needs of the individual. Hate crimes and hate incidents directly attack those founding principles, breeding fear, distrust and uncertainty in the community. Historically, hate crimes have been underreported; thus, many are not prosecuted. The LAPD, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to apprehending and prosecuting perpetrators of hate crimes and preventing hate incidents.
Meetings Every Month
- Every first Tuesday of the month is “LAPD Community Coffee” at the Albertsons store (6240 Foothill Blvd in Tujunga) from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. You can come and meet your Senior Lead Officers and enjoy some coffee.
- Every third Tuesday of the month is the Lake View Terrace, Sunland, Shadow Hills and Tujunga Neighborhood Watch meeting at the Tujunga Council Office (7747 Foothill Blvd) from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This is you opportunity to get crime updates, hear from guest speakers and share community issues with your Senior Lead Officers.
- Every second Wednesday of the month is the Sunland / Tujunga Neighborhood Council Meeting at the Tujunga Council Office (7747 Foothill Blvd) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Senior Lead Officer Richard Wall (SLO 59)
(818) 634-0754
E-mail:30204@lapd.lacity.org
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NEWS
Our next neighborhood watch meeting will be at 6:30p.m, on Tuesday, February 21st, at 7747 Foothill Blvd. Park in the rear auditorium by the park.A representative from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety will be there as our guest speaker.
Come join the LAPD Community Coffee every first Tuesday of the month, at 6240 Foothill Boulevard, at the Starbucks in Albertsons, from 8:00-10:00 a.m. Next date is Tuesday, February 7th. Foothill Detectives will be on hand to answer any questions or concerns.
An amazing tool that we have been using is FREE and EASY to sign up for. I ask that all of you sign up with NIXLE.COM for community crime alerts and information from Foothill Division that is text messaged to your cell phone. This is a great way of staying informed with information that comes from your police station.
CRIME TRENDS
Our largest crime concern is still vehicle thefts, burglaries, and burglaries from motor vehicles. I can’t express enough, how important it is for everyone to keep their homes and cars secure. As I continue reviewing the crime reports there has been one reoccurring factor. Most of the burglars have been able to walk into an unlocked door or get into an unlocked window and unlocked car doors. It’s imperative that all of us help each other. This is an old trick to knock and see if someone is home. Numerous BFMV’s have occurred and the first thing they do is to check and see if the Vehicles doors are unlocked, even if it is locked if they see something of value they will break a window. Please leave nothing of value in your car! If you see someone hanging around the neighborhood that you know doesn’t live there please call the non-emergency number for the Police Department (818) 734-2223. If you see a crime in progress then please call 9-1-1. Please lock all your doors and windows when you leave or go to sleep at night. Remember to lock the doors on your vehicles as well.
TRAFFIC SAFETY
Please remember to slow down. Valley Traffic Division will be enforcing traffic laws in the Foothill Area. I too will be monitoring and enforcing the law within the Tujunga area. Please help yourself avoid the potential financial strain of a citation. Slow down. Give yourself enough time to get where you’re going. Please remember to pick a designated driver prior to attending a party or barbecue. It would be a shame to have to watch one of our young citizens become injured in a senseless act of drunk driving.
If there are any problem traffic areas that you would like to have patrolled, please call Valley Traffic at 818-644-8142, and leave a message for Officer Flores.
Senior Lead Officer Michelle Rodriguez (SLO 77)
(818) 634-0755
E-mail: 31020@lapd.lacity.org
HOMELESS ISSUES
The LAPD Foothill Division handles many community complaints regarding the homeless. Near the freeways, under bridges, overpasses and in the rural areas, have been convenient places for the homeless to congregate and become a public nuisance.
I would like to address a couple of issues regarding the homeless. As your Senior Lead Officer, I take the homeless issue very seriously. I try to respond and solve problems regarding the homeless as fast as possible. I have cleaned up many encampments and have written many citations for drinking in public. The problem is still there.
When I receive a complaint regarding a homeless encampment, I will notify the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) who will go to the encampments and provide outreach services, emergency services and shelter referrals and provide direct transportation to various support facilities. They provide a great service that only a very small percentage of our homeless population have taken advantage of. Most refuse services and want to be left alone to do whatever they want.
It is not illegal to be homeless. When the homeless are sitting or lying in a public park or sidewalk, they are not committing a crime. I know it does not look good and it will keep parents away from those areas with their kids. I cannot legally make them leave unless they are committing a crime such as drinking in public, narcotic use, fighting, etc. There are no local facilities or places for the homeless to go.
Below is the Web address of the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority. Please contact them when you see a homeless encampment or have issues with the homeless. Contact me so I know where the encampment is and I will work in partnership with LAHSA. As a community, you are a great resource to outreach to the homeless and work cooperatively with our City services including that of your local Council office.
Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority: http://www.lahsa.org/about.asp
LAHSA Hotline
(213) 225-6581
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LAHSA emergency response teams offer the following services for people in the City and County of Los Angeles who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
- Direct emergency services and transportation.
- Emergency services and shelter referrals to homeless families and unaccompanied adults and youth.
- Emergency assistance and referrals to social service agencies.
- Outreach services to homeless encampment dwellers.
Year Round Shelter Program
Daily after 5p.m.
Shelter Hotline
Phone: 1-(800)-548-6047
TDD: 1-(800)-660-4026
(for the deaf and hearing disabled)
Don’t forget to sign up with NIXLE.COM for community crime alerts and information from Foothill Division that is text messaged to your cell phone. This is a great way of staying informed with information that comes from your police station. You will have up-to-date information and be well informed of what is going on in the community.
Senior Lead Officer Esther Vasquez (SLO 81)
(818) 634-0854
E-mail: 32824@lapd.lacity.org
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Basic Car 16A81, Saticoy north to the 5 Freeway and the 170 Freeway east to the border of Burbank. So we start the year with crime still at a low. Our goal for the year is to reduce crime by 5%. After having a 13% decrease in 2011, we will work hard to meet our additional 5%.
So far for the month of January, burglaries have been our biggest problem. There were two business burglaries in which the front doors were pried open. One business had no property taken, since they didn’t leave any money in the cash drawer or valuables on display. Another business had cell phones taken. In order to prevent theft, lock equipment in a designated cabinet. The other burglaries in the area were residential. In one burglary, a gun was taken. If you do own a firearm, please invest in a safe for storage. There are several good deals at either a gun store or even a home improvement store. If you get the small ones, bolt it to the area where you want it located. The bigger ones are hard to move, but bolting is still recommended. There were three other burglaries in which entry was made through the rear door/window. If you see anyone in your neighbors’ rear yard that looks suspicious, please call. And no, it is not a bother to the police department.
There was a homicide that occurred in January near the El Castillo Night Club. We are working the investigation and anyone with any information is encouraged to call Foothill Detectives or me. We also had one business robbery in which a handgun was used. One thing to go over with employees is to get good descriptions of anyone entering a business. Remind employees to look at everyone that enters and do a mental head to toe description of the person.
We had very few cars broken into for the month, as well as stolen cars. We had an average of three per week stolen and one per week broken into. I did hear that some cars have been broken into and that people were afraid to make a report of the crime due to different circumstances. These crimes need to be reported. We want to make sure the resources are attacking the areas that have crime problems in order to solve the problems. In one of the car break-ins, prescription medication was taken. Take the time to take your property out of the car. Remember to “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it.”
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Sun Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Meeting, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 12:00 p.m.
10631 Vinedale, Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center.
Sun Valley Neighborhood Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
10631 Vinedale, Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center.
Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) Meeting, Thursday, February 9, 2012, 6:00 p.m.
12953 Branford, Japanese American Center.
Strathern Neighborhood Watch, Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
12021 Strathern, The Church of Nazarene.
Elmer Street Neighborhood Watch, Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Elmer & Keswick.
North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council, Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
7063 Laurel Canyon, Fire Station 89.
CRIME TIPS
Yearly credit checks, it is now the time to do so. If it is discovered that loans other than those that you applied for are opened, call immediately to dispute the loan and make theappropriatereport at the police station that services your residence. Keep your credit your credit and not someone else’s.
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foothill community police station 
