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Mission Community Newsletter
June 2013
Vol. XIII, No. 6
A national holiday is upon us, the 4th of July. There will be many family parties to celebrate the birth of our Nation. I wish all Mission families a safe and enjoyable holiday. Yearly, the Fire Department reports hundreds of fire and personal injuries due to illegal fireworks in the
Los Angeles Area. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of the numerous public and professional fireworks displays in the San Fernando Valley. Again, have a safe and festive
4th of July.
This summer season June – September, we need to continue to protect our neighborhoods. Our neighbors will be on vacation and it is a perfect opportunity for the criminal element to burglarize and vandalize our community. If you are going out of town, here are a few things to remember; stop your newspaper delivery, secure your windows with anti-slide devices, set automatic timers for key lighting throughout your house, and have someone pick-up your mail. We all deserve to enjoy a vacation and not return home to have found criminal activity. Keep a look out and help our community.
Mission Area will participate in the “Annual Special Olympics Torch Run” on Wednesday
June 5, 2013. Come by the station around 10:00 AM and cheer as our runners and Special Olympic Athletes pass by the station on their way to meet up with Foothill Area.
Our police personnel and community are working assertively to improve our quality of life here in the Mission Area. As of 5/18/2013, we have had 5 homicides, 17 rapes, 108 robberies, and 126 aggravated assaults. This is a 17% decrease in total violent crime compared to last year-to-date statistics. In the category of property crimes during the same time period, we had 281 burglaries, 324 grand theft autos, 574 burglary/theft from motor vehicles and 417 personal/other thefts; representing a five percent increase in total property crime compared to last year-to-date statistics. Our goals are challenging with opportunities to better our community; with your continuing support, we will achieve our goals.
I want to hear your concerns and encourage your participation in our community policing efforts. Your questions regarding Mission Area may be directed to me at (818) 838-9980 or to Sergeant Adrian Torres, Officer in Charge, Mission Area Community Relations Office, at (818) 838-9856. You may also e-mail us at the below listed addresses:
TODD C. CHAMBERLAIN, Captain
Commanding Officer
Mission Community Police Station
Information to Keep Us All Safe
Do not depend on your neighbors to call the police. Responsibility starts with YOU! Keep an eye out for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood and take action! Pay attention to what is going on in your neighborhood. Be aware of pedestrians and vehicles, joggers and bicyclists, vans and delivery trucks, juveniles out during school hours.
* A license plate number can crack a case. If it is safe, collect and report details including the number and description of suspects, vehicle description, license plate numbers and distinguishing marks.
* If you see someone knocking on doors on your block or other suspicious or criminal activity immediately call LAPD non-emergency dispatch: (877) 275-5273 (1-877-ASK-LAPD).
* Call 911 for emergencies, immediate threat or if you believe a crime is in progress.
* Neighbors who know each other are more likely to watch out for each other. Get to know your neighbors, and then get them involved. Create a neighborhood roster and phone tree to alert your neighbors if you see suspicious persons or activity on your street
* Engrave expensive electronics such as television sets, DVD players, computers and game consoles with your California Driver License or an identifying mark. This will make your items identifiable for the police and returned to you.
* Communities with a Neighborhood Watch are better prepared and a less desirable target for criminals. Learn ways to protect yourself. The more people we can get involved, the safer your community will be. Sylmar has several Neighborhood Watch Groups, call me for details.
Working together, the Community and LAPD will make a difference.
If you have a question or need information: Remember “It’s One Call to City Hall.” Call 3-11 for City-related issues and information. If you see something or someone suspicious, please call the police (9-11, or 1-877-ASK-LAPD), CRIME STOPPERS at 1-800-222-8477, including the NIXLE program. You can register on line and receive emergency alerts at the tip of your fingers. Register free at www.Nixle. com or text the word “Mission” to 888777.
We want to keep our neighborhoods clean, not only for cleanliness, but it also discourages criminals from wanting to commit crime. A clean neighborhood means that its residents care about their neighborhood and say “NO” to crime. As a reminder, if you do have excess trash and/or furniture items, please call “ 311” to schedule a pick-up. If your neighbors are placing items on the curb and sidewalk, remind them about “311” and we can all work as a team to keep our neighborhoods clean!
If you experience any traffic-related problems in the area, please contact Officer Sciarrino at LAPD Valley Traffic Division (VTD) (818) 644-8000. Officer Sciarrino is assigned to VTD’s Community Safety and Traffic Unit. If you also notice a vehicle parked on the street or in an alley in the same spot for several days or if you believe it is abandoned, please call 311 from your home phone to notify Department of Transportation (DOT) parking enforcement.
An automobile is not a safe place to leave valuables even for a few moments-they will be stolen. You must take responsibility for your property, force criminals to look for an easier target. Do not leave ANY personal property visible in your vehicle. Avoid becoming a victim- Remember these three things:
Lock It: Lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended and secure all items of value out of sight in the trunk.
Hide It: If you don’t have a trunk, hide valuables under the seats, in the glove box, or other compartments within the vehicle. This includes items with personal information, mail, small electronics and change.
Keep It: Personal responsibility is the best prevention to safeguard personal property and to prevent becoming a victim.
Protect yourself from ID and Credit Theft Criminals scavenge through our trash and recycling bins on trash day. Please shred all papers thrown in the trash or recycling bin that contain any personal information. If you see someone going through yours or your neighbor’s trash immediately call (877) 275-5273 and request a Patrol car in your area.
Reduce the amount of personal information available by limiting the number of pre-approved offers of credit that you receive. If thrown in the trash identity thieves can use them to open credit cards using your identity. To remove your name from the marketing lists: (888) OPTOUT (888-567-8688)
* Never give out your PIN, birthdate, social security number or other personal ID over the phone or in response to a text or email.
* When filling out forms, question why personal information is asked for and if it is required.
* Do NOT carry your Social Security card with you.
* You are allowed one free credit report yearly from each of the three credit companies: 1-877-322-8228, www.annualcreditreport.com
* When mailing bills, items with checks or personal information- Do not use outside Postal drop boxes after the last scheduled pick up or on weekends- use the slot located inside the Post Office.
* When using an ATM: be cautious, go in the daytime with a friend who can look out. If you are alone or at night choose a well-lit and visible ATM. Inspect for tampering, if you feel something is wrong cancel the transaction and find a different machine.
* There is a secure ATM available to the public in the LAPD Mission Station lobby, 11121 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Basic Car 19A1
Senior Lead Officer John Lonergan
Office Phone 818-838-9848
Cell Phone 818-634-0610
Welcome to the Newsletter for Basic Car 19A1 for June 2013
The sale or use of All fireworks are illegal in the City of Los Angeles and the LAPD will be strictly enforcing the law.
With warm weather, children out of school and families on vacation, summer has many safety concerns.
Stranger Danger: Children are out of school with free time. Teach them to be cautious in public areas such as pools, parks, Malls, Amusement and Entertainment facilities. Report any suspicious activity immediately to a parent and Security Guard. The LAPD has several programs available including, the Cadet and PALS programs. For information contact our Cadet and Community Relations Office at (818) 838-9860.
Loud parties: Loud parties can attract the wrong crowd into your neighborhood. The LAPD will be deploying a Party Car weekends through summer and Officers may give a written citation on the first visit.
Be a good neighbor-consider the hour and music volume when entertaining. If there is a loud party in your neighborhood, please report it to the non-emergency number: 1-877-275-5273 (1-877-ASK-LAPD). You can also call the Mission Front Desk (818) 838-9800 and request the Party Car. Your name will be kept confidential. Provide the address if possible and leave a call back number so we can confirm the situation is no longer a problem. Ask your neighbors to call and provide them the non-emergency numbers.
Neighborhood Watch: With many families away on vacation, those who remain must be extra vigilant. Keep an eye out for suspicious people in your neighborhood; note the license plate & description of suspicious vehicles. Call (877) ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273) if you think they may be involved in criminal activity. With our hectic schedules we don't know our neighbors as well as we used to. Make it a priority to get to know your neighbors. Join a Neighborhood Watch
Crimes of Opportunity Criminals look for easy targets. Help us in preventing these crimes by taking responsibility for your valuables.
Do not leave personal items unattended in grocery stores, gas stations, gyms, and restaurants.
Burglary Theft from Vehicle (BTFV): The preventable crime. To avoid becoming a victim always lock your vehicle and ensure all items of value are locked out of sight in the trunk or glove box. Popular item include expensive electronics, portable GPS systems, IPODS, cellular telephones, lap top computers, along with purses, mail and items with personal information.
Do not leave the remote garage openers visible in your vehicle.
Do not keep spare keys to your vehicle or residence in your vehicle.
Distraction Burglary: Often target the elderly who are home alone during the day and tend to be trusting in nature with a willingness to assist.
There are several techniques:
A female suspect will knock on the door begging to use the bathroom. Once in the home, she will go through the bathroom cabinets, taking prescription drugs and valuables.
A suspect will claim to be looking for a sick or pregnant pet. While they distract the homeowner in the yard, an accomplice ransacks the home.
A group of criminals pose as DWP/Utility workers to gain access to your property. They are convincing, well groomed and well spoken. They distract the Homeowner into another part of the house or backyard allowing team members access through the open front door.
Protect yourself: Do not let strangers in your home or yard for any reason! Do not rely on a vest or hat with a CABLE or GAS logo. Require ID. Ask them to wait outside, close and lock the door, call the company to verify who they are and their need to be on your property. 311 will connect you to all city services.
Vacation safety: If you are going away let your neighbors know and leave an emergency contact number with them. Make an inspection of your residence's exterior in the daytime and at night. Trim bushes and trees where someone could hide unseen. Add exterior lighting (solar fixtures for areas without electricity). Set two interior lights and a radio on automatic timers to turn on & off in different parts of your home to create an 'at home' routine. Don’t hide a key under the door mat. Secure windows & doors with a secondary locking device or wood dowel in the window or door track; put a lock on your gate. Do not leave valuables in plain sight. Close window treatments so the contents of your home are not visible. If you have a home alarm system, set it each time you leave your home.
Use caution with credit and debit cards. Before you sign verify the card returned to you is yours and the bill is accurate. Keep your copy in case there is a problem on your statement. Use a covered or closed luggage tag to hide personal information.
Summer can see an increase in Graffiti. For graffiti removal call Sylmar Graffiti Busters at (818) 362-8702
Summer is a good time to create an Emergency Contact Card for younger family members to carry with them, review your family’s emergency plan and restock emergency kits.
Basic Car 19A7 Sylmar
Officer Alonso Menchaca
Cell Phone (818) 634-0619 Office Phone (818) 838-9846
Basic Car 19A7 area consists of the City of Sylmar (east of Glenoaks).
Crime Trends/Statistics
Grand theft Auto are our primary concern at this time. If anyone has any information regarding Grand Theft Auto suspects, please contact me as soon as possible. Most of the incidents are taking place between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. when most people are at home sleeping. Please be mindful of this and properly secure your vehicles and turn on your porch lights during night time hours.
Upcoming Community/ Neighborhood Watch Events
The next neighborhood watch meeting will be held at Mission Area Station, located at 11121 Sepulveda Blvd., on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 6:30 p.m. This meeting takes place on the third Tuesday of every month.
Sylmar Neighborhood watch meeting for the northern portion of the Sylmar area is held at Bible Baptist Church, located at 13724 Fenton Ave. The next meeting is on Thursday June 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. This meeting takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month.
One of my goals as a Senior Lead Officer is to get the community more involved in crime reduction. The community has the primary responsibility for fighting crime. Help stop crime before it happens. The way you can do this is by becoming a member of Neighborhood Watch. Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program enlisting the active participation of residents on your street and in your neighborhood. Typically, active members are the “eyes and ears” of the community and keep in direct contact with the Senior Lead Officer for the neighborhood.
If you would like to become more involved in crime prevention in your community, please contact me at (818) 838-9846
Basic Car Area 19A43 (Mission Hills Area)
Senior Lead Officer Philip Ruiz #31524
Office Phone: 818-838-9843
Cell phone: 818-634-0519
Email: 31524@lapd.lacity.org
This is your Senior Lead Officer Philip Ruiz for Basic Car 19A43 (Mission Hills Area). I hope all of you are doing well. I want to start off by acknowledging the many of you Mission Hills residents for being more involved in the community and not hesitant in reporting suspicious activity in your neighborhoods. You guys are doing a great job. The phone calls you’ve been making to report criminal and suspicious activity have led to many recent arrests in the Mission Hills Area. I ask that you please continue to be involved and continue calling in anything that appears unusual and/or suspicious. Continue to call in the suspicious persons riding up and down the street on bicycles that are often wearing dark clothing, carrying backpacks, and looking into parked vehicles. If they look like they are up to something and you don’t recognize them as your neighbor, please report them to the non-emergency number at (818) 734-2223.
Remember, it is the partnership between the community and the Police Department that can help solve problems and reduce the fear and incidence of crime. Keep up the good work!
I want to remind everyone the telephone number to Mission Area’s front desk is (818) 838-9800. You may call the station directly for reasons such as information, crime related advice, quality of the life concerns and to make crime reports. However, if you require police service for (crimes in progress), please call either 911 for emergencies or our dispatch center (877) 275-5273 for non-emergencies. Remember, not to call me to report crimes in progress or to report loud parties that require police response.
Our next Neighborhood Watch Meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Mission Station in the Community Room.
Crime Update:
We are currently three weeks through the month of May and we are at (0.0 %) in Part 1 Crime for the 2013 year. For those of you that don’t know what that zero percent means, it means that last year (2012) at this time we had 204 total crimes occur, and this year (2013) at the same point we have had a total of 204 total crimes. A few weeks ago, we were actually at (+ 2 %), so we actually reduced crime by 2% in the past few weeks. The area currently being targeted the most is Sepulveda Blvd between Devonshire & Lassen. We’ve had many parked vehicles broken into as well as several stolen vehicles in the area. I ask that you continue to be aware of your surroundings and remember to Lock It, Hide It, Keep It.
Mission Hills Community Meetings
19A43 Monthly Basic Car Meeting (Neighborhood Watch)
The 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
Mission Area Community Police Station Community Room Mission Hills Neighborhood Council – MHNC@verizon.net
The 1st Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. Mission Area Community Police Station Community Room
Basic Car 19A61 North Hills
Senior Lead Officer Charles Chacon
Cell Phone (818) 634-0545
Office (818) 838-9845
From 4/21/13 to 5/18/13 the North Hills East area had 10 Burglary for Motor Vehicles, 13 residential burglaries and 4 Grand Theft Autos. Lock your vehicles and continue to keep valuables secured. We still have residents leaving valuables inside their parked vehicles. Don’t make it easy or attractive for them to break into your cars!
An area of concern is the rise in residential burglaries. The majority of victims have left windows open due to the hot days. Please leave your homes secure and do not make it easy for the crooks!
I have been working with the area Apartment Managers. Please continue to attend the monthly Manager meeting for Neighborhood Watch. Managers are Block Captains and should have information on the area crime to keep their tenants safe. If you are a Manager and would like to have a Neighborhood Watch Meeting, please call me. As a reminder, please remember to update your property Trespass Letters.
Neighborhood Watch is very important! Please join Neighborhood Watch in your area. I have a meeting once a month on the last Wednesday of the month at Mission Station, at 6:30 p.m. If your neighborhood would like to start a meeting, please call me. My next meeting will be held on June 26, 2013.
We cannot do it alone! I need your help to report suspicious people and/or activity in your neighborhoods. Participate and get involved. Call 1877 ASK-LAPD when you see suspicious activity.
Graffiti is a big problem in North Hills. If you see graffiti, please report it! The faster we can remove the graffiti, the more it will discourage other graffiti from going up. Please call Graffiti Busters at 311.
Remember there is no excuse for domestic violence. Talk to a friend, pastor, or your local support group for relationship problems prior to any violence. You can always call a domestic violence hotline for referrals and assistance 24 hours a day at 1-818-887-6589.
Basic Car Area 19A75
Senior Lead Officer Sean Smith
Office Line (818) 838-9842
Cell Phone (818) 442-3183
As we move into the summer time, I want to let everyone know that Mission Division will have four officers on Friday and Saturday nights that will be devoted to responding to party calls. As a way to get a quicker response from the police, please call us as soon as the party gets loud. If citizens call the police later in the evening, there will be a slower response time. Remember, the weekends are our busiest times for calls of services and we want to ensure we respond to your call for services in a timely manner.
I want to continue to remind everyone to lock and secure your homes and vehicles. I am continuing to receive reports of BFMV’s where the property taken are now personal documents (mail containing personal information, completed employment applications, and credit card statements). This is just another reminder to protect your personal information and your property.
I want to encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity to either the LAPD non- emergency number (877) ASK-LAPD. There have been several arrests that were due to the community’s assistance.
I am excited to continue to serve the people of north Panorama City.
Neighborhood Watch for Basic Car 19A75:
14501 Tupper St
June 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Near the pool area
9618 Van Nuys Blvd
June 11, 2013 at 6:00 pm
The community room located at 9618 Van Nuys Blvd, first floor across from the manager’s office.
8400 Murietta Ave
June12, at 7:00 pm
The Front yard of a residence
8810 Katherine Ave
June 25, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Front yard of residence
If you have any questions or you want to become more involved within your community, please contacts me at (818) 838-9842.
Basic Car 19A79 - Arleta
Senior Lead Officer Lee Perry #34733
34733@lapd.lacity.org
Los Angeles Police Department Mission Area
Last month, the Los Angeles mayoral and Council District 6 (CD 6) elections were held. Eric Garceti won the LA mayoral election. Due to the top CD 6 candidates (Cindy Montanez and Nury Martinez) not obtaining majority votes (50%), there will be a special run-off election in July 2013. I again encourage you to familiarize yourself with the candidates. Your vote will determine our community’s future.
Hide it! Lock it! Keep it!
Community policing philosophy is essential to the way Los Angeles Police Department provide service to our community. As a LAPD Senior Lead Officer, we address the cause of crime, address the fear and/or perception of crime, and improve the overall quality of life in the community during the neighborhood watch meetings. The Arleta area continues to experience grand theft autos (GTA) and burglaries from motor vehicle (BFMV) incidents. These crimes could have been prevented. Several victims placed their purse in the vehicle and secured their vehicles. I encourage you to share w/ your family and friends to NOT leave anything valuable inside their vehicles in plain sight.
Hide it! Lock it! Keep it!
Meeting Groups Locations Date & Time
1. Arleta N/W 13821 Osborne St June 4th at 6:30 p.m.
2. Debell Street 13333 Debell St June 5th at 6:30 p.m.
3. Arleta Neighborhood Council 9757 Beachy Ave June 21st at 6:30 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding joining or creating a neighborhood watch group in your area, please do not hesitate to contact me at (818) 838-9844.
Basic Car Area 19A85
Senior Lead Officer Edwin Ayala
Desk Phone 818-838-9854
Cell 818-634-0718
Email: 34256@LAPD.LACITY.ORG
Thank you for being involved in your community. The LAPD does such a great job reducing crime, but it is with your help that we are able to do so. I know I can count on you to help make Panorama City a safer place to live and work in by being aware of your surroundings. Please continue to be aware of what is happening and who is on your block.
Crime Update
Last month I mentioned some shootings and Homicides. Some arrests have been made and our Mission Homicide detectives continue to make great progress in the other cases. We have partnered with some Community groups and have planned a Community Peace March so the community can get involved in preventing any further violence. It will take place on June 15th at 10 AM, and it will begin and end at the Sepulveda Rec Center. I will have updates throughout the course of upcoming Neighborhood Watch meetings.
We are continuing our outreach for an Overnight Parking District in the area of Willis, Cedros, Tobias, between Rayen St and Kester Ave. If you live within this area, please contact me or attend one of my Neighborhood Watch meetings for more information.
There has been an increase in stolen vehicles and car break-in’s (BFMV’s), particularly Honda and Toyota sedans, during the hours of 12 AM-6 AM. Thieves often access apartment building parking lots through inoperable gates. Please ensure that all the gates in your complex are working. Magnetic locks are very difficult to break and will last much longer.
Much of our crime occurs in the commercial areas. We see a lot of theft near the Panorama Mall and Wal-Mart. Please keep an eye on your personal property so that it does not get taken; do not turn your backs to it. The Panorama City Business Improvement District (BID) has played a key role in impacting crime in the commercial areas, such as the Van Nuys Blvd. Corridor. A “Business Watch” is a great way to share information among other business owners and a great way to let the LAPD know about your concerns. Contact me regarding a Business Watch.
As of May 18th, crime is 26.8% above 2012’s numbers. This is high, but we are seeing a great decrease because we were as high as 31% a few weeks ago. It is great to report that we are 25% above last year’s numbers in arrests. That is also doubled from last month’s arrests.
Below is a list of Community Meetings, please contact me with any questions.
Basic Car 19A93 Panorama City
Senior Lead Officer Fabiola Humphrey
Office Phone (818) 838-9847
Cell Phone (818) 731-2553
Crime Trends/Statistics
Grand Theft Auto and Burglary from motor vehicle have been on the rise along Woodman Avenue and around Ventura Canyon. Honda Civics and Accords and Toyota Corollas are the most common vehicles taken. Please remember to lock and secure your vehicle and your valuables.
Burglary from motor vehicles is still our primary concern at this time. If anyone has any information regarding burglary suspects, please contact me as soon as possible. We are also noticing a slight increase in residential burglaries. Most of the residential burglaries are taking place between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when most people are at work. Please be mindful of this and properly secure your homes and vehicles. The burglaries are occurring in east of Woodman and south of Roscoe Blvd.
As I review the crime reports for our area, I notice items such as I-Pods, GPS navigation systems, laptop computers, jewelry, purses, wallets, CDs and cash being stolen from automobiles. Please be alert as you enter your parking structures and make sure that the gate closes behind you before driving forward. This is a favorite of criminals. Please don’t make it easy for these criminals. This is exactly the involvement needed to enhance Community Policing in your neighborhoods.
We are asking that people engrave their valuable items that may be stolen. Items like television sets, DVD players, radios, computers, video game consoles, or any other electronic device should be engraved with their California Driver License/Identification numbers. This process is to ensure that the items are easily identifiable by the police when recovered if stolen.
Upcoming Community/ Neighborhood Watch Events
Please come out and support the Panorama City Neighborhood Council meeting, which will take place on the 4th Thursday of each month. The meeting will take place at the Mission Community Hospital, Medical Office Building, 2nd Floor, at 14860 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. Next scheduled meeting for the Panorama City Neighborhood Council is June 27, 2013, at 6:30 p.m.
Please join us at the Marson Park Neighborhood Watch, on June 12, 2013, at Marson Park, 5:30 p.m. (Sepulveda Blvd and Marson St).
Please join us at the Noble Marson Neighborhood Watch at the cul-de-sac on Marson Street and Saloma Ave. Next scheduled will be announced.
Please join us for the Kaiser Hospital Neighborhood Watch meeting. June 4 th, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at 13652 Cantara, on the first floor across from the cafeteria.
Please join us for the Blythe Street Neighborhood Watch meeting held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., at 14705 Blythe Street (call me for more information).
One of my goals as a Senior Lead Officer is to get the community more involved in crime reduction. The community has the primary responsibility for fighting crime. Help stop crime before it occurs by becoming a member of Neighborhood Watch. A Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program enlisting the active participation of residents in your apartment and on your street. Typically, active members of a Neighborhood Watch act as the “eyes and ears” of the community and keep in direct communication with the Senior Lead Officer for the neighborhood.
If you would like to become more involved in crime prevention in your community, please contact me at (818) 838-9847.
mission community police station 
