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Mission Community Newsletter
May 2013
Vol. XIII, No. 3
We continue to chip away at our total area crime statistics; I applaud the efforts of all our area personnel and the community. During this period we saw a rise in burglary/theft from motor vehicles. One of the most effective ways to combat this crime is if we continue to spread the word to all your friends and neighbors concerning the “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It” campaign.
The month of May will bring two major events at the station; National Day of Prayer, May 2, 2013. We encourage the community to attend this event at 8:00am in front of Mission Station located at 11121 N. Sepulveda Blvd. The second event is our Mission Area Open House sponsored by our Mission Area Community Police Advisory Board. This event will take place on Saturday May 18th from 10:00am-3:00pm. Come meet your local police officers that patrol your community and take a tour of the station. Some of our guest speakers include City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, local representatives from our Councils office and performances by Heroes of Life, Mission Area Cadets and a martial arts demonstration and much, much more!!!!! Our CPAB has been working diligently with our Community Relations Staff to make this event a success. Our Air Support Unit will also do a fly over!!!! Parking is available next door at Facey’s. Please park in the parking stalls adjacent/closest to the station.
Our police personnel and community are working assertively to improve our quality of life here in Mission. As of 4/20/13, we have had 2 homicides, 3 rapes, 23 robberies, and 28 aggravated assaults. This is a 25% 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 49 burglaries, 64 grand theft autos, 122 burglary/theft from motor vehicles and 76 personal/other thefts; representing a 3% percent decrease 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
Commanding Officer
Mission Community Police Station
The sale or use of all fireworks is illegal in the City of Los Angeles. The LAPD will be strictly enforcing the law. Last year we saw a decrease in the use of illegal fireworks. With our campaign to rid the City of illegal fireworks through education and arrests, I believe we will see a reduction again this year. Call me if you would like to help with our Illegal Fireworks Awareness project
Memorial Weekend-The LAPD will be setting up numerous Sobriety Check points throughout the weekend. Don’t be a statistic. Don’t risk getting caught. Don’t drink and drive.
If you see someone who appears to be driving under the influence, call 911 with the vehicle’s location, license plate and description.
If you are leaving town over the Memorial Holiday weekend, there are tips to keep your property safe while you are away. Burglary is a crime of opportunity-the more difficult you make it the, less likely they will choose your residence. Do not hide a key under door mat or in a plant.
‘Vacation Hold’ newspapers, mail and other deliveries that would signal your absence from your residence. Notify a neighbor of your plans, provide an emergency phone number and ask them to remove 'free' newspapers, flyers, etc. left on your property and vehicles. Check exterior lighting and put a lock your gate. Install indoor timers for lighting and a radio to make your residence appear occupied. Engrave your California Driver License/Identification numbers on valuable electronic items that may be stolen.
Basic Car 19A1 Sylmar (west of Glenoaks)
Senior Lead Officer John Lonergan
Office Phone 818-838-9848
Cell Phone 818-634-0610
Loud parties:
Holiday weekends and warm weather begins the loud party season in Sylmar. A certain level of noise is part of modern life; however, excessive noise can affect your quality of life. Please be a good neighbor and consider the hour and music volume when entertaining. If there is a loud party, amplified music, loud neighbors or general noise which willfully disturbs the peace & quite, the LAPD can respond and it should be reported to the non-emergency number: 1-877-275-5273 (1-877-ASK-LAPD). Be prepared with the address if possible. Please leave a call back number so we can confirm the situation is no longer a problem. You may request your name and number be kept confidential
Summer Safety & Quality of Life issues:
Summer temperatures in Sylmar can be brutal with many days over 100 degrees. Do not leave children, pets or the Elderly in a parked vehicle for any amount of time, for any reason. Even parked in the shade, with a window partially open, the temperature can reach a dangerous level in minutes.
I continue to receive complaints from the community regarding the illegal vendors plaguing our neighborhoods with their unsanitary food items. Please do not purchase anything from them.
Always use caution with open flame and refrain from using BBQ’s, outdoor fire pits and ‘Tiki Torches during wind and red flag warnings.
It is a great energy saving technique to leave windows open to catch a cool breeze. For added security when you are home put a wood dowel in the window or sliding door track and add a secondary locking device to vertical windows, especially those on the side and rear of your residence. A dowel with a half inch diameter for windows and 1 inch diameter for sliding doors cut 2-3 inches shorter than the opening will allow for air circulation but not allow burglars to open the window. Close and lock doors & windows before you leave.
Identify Theft. You are allowed one free credit report yearly from each of the three credit companies. If any discrepancies exist in your credit rating, immediately contact your local bank, credit card, and social security office. To order your free credit reports visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228. Experts suggest getting a report from a different company every 4 months.
Community involvement:
I want to send a special ‘Shout Out’ to my Sylmar Block Captains who keep up on current crime trends and quality of life issues in Sylmar and passed the information on to their friends and neighbors.
The Sylmar Block Captains and Neighborhood Watch meet on the third Tuesday,
6:30am-7:30pm at the Mission Community Police Station, 11121 Sepulveda. Everyone is welcome. We will have important information on your community. Please spread the word, so we can work together to make your neighborhoods safe.
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country. Sylmar has several NW Groups and we can always use more. Call me for meeting times and details. .
Mission Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) The purpose of the Board is to improve relations with the LAPD and discuss Community issues. Members are responsible for knowing the conditions within their neighborhoods. Committees include Public Nuisance, Community Outreach and Telephone Tree. CPAB meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month, 6:15pm, Mission Community Police Station Community Room, 11121 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills. If you are interested in becoming a member or for more information: www.MissionCPAB.org.
Links:
www.Nixle.com -Know what is happening in your area. Sign up for Public safety, Crime, disaster & evacuation alerts by email or text.
Got Graffiti- Call Sylmar Graffiti Busters (818) 362-8702, Officer Mondel (818) 838-9919
LAPD websites: www.lapdonline.org/crimemap/, www.lapdonline.org/newsroom, http://www.lapdonline.org/valley_bureau
Sylmar Library monthly calendar (818) 367-6102
The City of LA Official Web Site: www.cityofla.org.
The Mayor: www.mayor@lacity.org
LA City Council: www.lacity.org/council.htm.
City of LA Dept. of Aging: (800) 510-2020 or age.webinfo@lacity.org. Residents 60 years and older qualify for the File of Life for your medical information to assist in an emergency. .
Basic Car 19A7 Sylmar (east of Glenoaks)
Senior Lead Officer Alonso Menchaca
Office Phone (818) 838-9846
Cell Phone (818) 634-0619
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.
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 8:00pm and 5:00am 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, May 21, 2013, at 6:30pm.
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 May 23, 2013, at 7:30pm.
**NEW ** Sylmar Neighborhood Watch meeting for the southern portion of the Sylmar area is held at Concordia High School, located at 13570 Eldridge Ave. The next meeting is on Tuesday May 14, 2013, at 6:00pm.
Basic Car Area 19A43
Senior Lead Officer Philip Ruiz #31524
Office Phone: 818-838-9843
Cell phone: 818-634-0519
Once again, our goal for the 2013 year has been established and it is to reduce Part 1 crime by two percent (- 2%) from the previous year. Though it’s way too early to think this will be easy, with years pasts showing our numbers can go up and down quickly.
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 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, do not call me to report crimes in progress or to report loud parties that require police response.
Crime Update:
Our overall Part-1crime is down -1.8% in the Mission Hills Area. Residential burglaries are currently down -9% from the previous year. GTA’s (Grand Theft Auto) is up 77% from the previous year and BTFV (Burglary Theft from Vehicle) is also up at 13%.
At the current moment, the hot Reporting District “RD” is (RD: 1952 & 1954) which is mainly on the Sepulveda Corridor between Devonshire Street & Lassen Street. This area has recently been hit with numerous (BTFV’s) Burglary/Theft from vehicle and also several (GTA’s) Grand Theft Auto in the past few weeks. Some of these crimes have occurred on the street and several have occurred in the apartment complex parking structures. Most of these crimes have been occurring mainly during the night time hours of 8 PM till 6 AM, with a few also happening during day time hours of 6:00am to 12:00pm.
Another area that has recently been getting hit is (RD: 1955) which covers Devonshire to Chatsworth and Lemona to Arleta. There have been several residential burglaries that have occurred during day time hours and a few BFMV’s that are occurring during the hours of
12:00am to 6:00am.
Remember to remove all valuables from your vehicle when parking your car for the rest of the night and remember to keep an eye out for any suspicious people and activity during day time hours.
Mission Hills Community Meetings:
19A43 Monthly Basic Car Meeting (Neighborhood Watch)
4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm.
Mission Area Community Police Station Community Room
Mission Hills Neighborhood Council – MHNC@verizon.net
1st Monday of every month at 6:30pm.
Mission Area Community Police Station Community Room
Basic Car 19A61 North Hills
Senior Lead Officer Charles Chacon
Office (818) 838-9845
Cell Phone (818) 634-0545
From 3/10/13 to 4/06/13 the North Hills area had 14 Burglary from Motor Vehicles and 11 Grand Theft Autos. Please make sure that your vehicles are locked when parked on the street. We still have residents leaving valuables inside their parked vehicles. Individuals are looking into parked cars and stealing your property. Don’t make it easy or attractive for them to break into your cars!
I have been working with the area Apartment Managers. We have an increase in gang activity for the areas of Langdon Ave, Orion Ave and cross streets of Rayen St and Chase St. Please make sure that you have current Trespass Letters on file. Report suspicious activity and call 1(877)-ASK-LAPD. Managers are Block Captains should have information on the area crime to keep their tenants safe. Our next Manager meeting will be held on May 7, 2013 at 6:00pm at the Plaza located at Van Nuys Blvd. and Parthenia St.
Neighborhood Watch is very important! Please join Neighborhood Watch in your area. I have a meeting the last Wednesday of every month at Mission Station, at 6:30pm. If your neighborhood would like to start a meeting, please call me. My next meeting will be held on May 29, 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 (818) 838-9842
Cell Phone (818) 442-3183
On April 24, 2013, I was invited to the Filipino- American Chamber of Commerce Monthly meeting located at 5121 Van Nuys Blvd. I brought two of Mission Divisions Cadets who gave a presentation of their experience in the Cadet program. Our hopes are to recruit more young people to join our Cadet Program. I want to thank Miss Maria Sheets for inviting us to the meeting.
I want to continue to remind everyone to lock and secure your homes and vehicles. I am continuing to receive reports of BFMV’s (burglary from motor vehicles) where the property taken are now personal documents such as 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 made that were due to the community’s assistance.
Neighborhood Watch for Basic Car 19A75:
14501 Tupper St
May 14, 2013 at 6:00pm
Near the pool area
9618 Van Nuys Blvd
May14, 2013 at 6:00pm
Located in the community room at 9618 Van Nuys Blvd, first floor across from the manager’s office.
8400 Murietta Ave
May 15, at 7:00pm
Front yard of a residence
8810 Katherine Ave
May 28, 2013 at 7:00 pm
Front yard of residence
Basic Car 19A79
Senior Lead Officer Lee Perry
Office 818-838-984
Cell 818-634-0624
May 2013 is a very important month. This month is election time for the Los Angeles Mayoral and Council District 6 races. Council District 6 represents the Arleta, Sun Valley, and Panorama City areas. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the candidates in each election. Your vote will determine our city’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 May 7th at 6:30pm
2. Debell Street 13333 Debell St May 8th at 6:30pm
3. Bradford Park 13306 Branford St May 14th at 6:30pm
4. Arleta Neighborhood Council 9757 Beachy Ave May 21st at 6:30pm
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
Office 818-838-9854
Cell 818-634-0718
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:
As of April 20th, Crime is 26.9% 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 11% above last year’s numbers in arrests.
There has been two Homicides in recent weeks, as well as two separate shootings resulting in non-threatening injuries. Homicide Detectives have done a great work, and one of the Homicide suspects was arrested the same day of the incident. Patrol has also made arrests in the other two shootings. I am in the process of planning a Community Peace March so the community can get involved in preventing any further violence. 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 12:00am-6:00am. 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.
Community/Neighborhood Watch Meetings for Basic Car 19A85:
Safer Cities Area Enhancement Meeting
3rd Wednesday of every month - 9:30am
Mission Community Police Station Community Room
Panorama City-West Neighborhood Watch Meeting
2nd Wednesday of every month – 7:00pm
Mission Community Hospital, 14860 Roscoe Boulevard
8437 Cedros Ave Neighborhood Watch
2nd Tuesday of every month- 7:00pm
Panorama City-Tyrone Ave Neighborhood Watch Meeting
4th Wednesday of every month, 7:00pm
8600 Block of Tyrone Ave, exact location TBA
Kester Community Neighborhood Watch Meeting
2nd Thursday of every month, 7:00pm
Sepulveda Rec Center
8801 Kester Ave.
Panorama City Neighborhood Council
4th Thursday of every month – 6:30pm
Mission Community Hospital, 14860 Roscoe Boulevard
Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB)
3rd Wednesday of every month - 6:15pm- Social / 6:30pm- meeting
Mission Community Police Station, Community Room
Basic Car 19A93
Senior Lead Officer Fabiola Humphrey
Office (818) 838-9847
Cell (818) 731-2553
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.
Crime Trends/Statistics:
Grand Theft Auto has been on the rise along Woodman Avenue and Ventura Canyon.
Honda Civics, Accords and Toyota Corollas are the most common vehicles taken. Please remember to lock and secure your vehicle and keep your valuables out of plain sight.
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 8:00am. and 3:00pm., when most people are at work. Please be mindful of this and properly secure your homes and vehicles. We are noticing a pattern in burglaries involving homes for sale. Suspects are targeting vacant homes and are stripping the homes of the copper piping. The burglaries are occurring in the areas of Lanark Street and Woodman Avenue, Roscoe Blvd. and Noble Avenue, Van Nuys Blvd. and Blythe Street. Some suspects are targeting businesses and schools for copper theft. If you live near a school, please be on the lookout. Always look out for your neighbor and report all suspicious individuals in the area.
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 have not had any recurrences of robberies involving gold chain snatching where lone women on foot were targeted. Nevertheless, always be aware of your surroundings and try to walk with a companion. Robberies are still a problem. The majority of our street robberies involve the taking of I-pods and cell phones. Please warn your children not to visibly display their I-Pods, cell phones or items of value.
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 devices 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. Meetings will take place on the 4th Thursday of each month located at Mission Community Hospital, Medical Office Building, 2nd Floor, at 14860 Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City. Next scheduled meeting is on
May 23, 2013 at 6:30pm.
Please join us at the Noble Marson Neighborhood Watch in the cul-de-sac on Marson Street and Saloma Ave. Next scheduled meeting will be announced.
Please join us for the Kaiser Hospital Neighborhood Watch meeting. June 4th, 2013 at 6:30pm. Meetings are held at 13652 Cantara Street 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 5:30pm., at 14705 Blythe Street (call me for more information).
mission community police station 
