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Van Nuys Community Newsletter
September 2013 Vol. XIV, No. 9
Captain Message
I would like to wish all of you a nice Labor Day holiday weekend. Now that schools are back in session, please remember to drive safely and courteously around the schools and watch for children crossing streets.
I would like to share our crime statistics with you. For 2013, the Department set a goal of reducing Part I crimes by another 1%. As of August 24, 2013, we have a reduction in Violent Crime of -18.9% and an increase in Property Crime of 2.7%. Overall, Part I crimes are up
0.5% over this time last year. Burglary from Motor Vehicle continues to be our biggest crime problem with almost a 14% increase over last year. Thefts have also been on the increase this last month.
I would like to encourage all of you to participate or start a Neighborhood Watch program, and to think about joining our Community Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) or the Mid-Valley Community Police Council. These two groups are an integral part of Van Nuys Community Police Station’s relationship and outreach with the community. The C-PAB Co-Chair is Penny Meyer. The President of our MVCPC Executive Board is Ron Feinstein. If you would like information about the meetings for the C-PAB or MVCPC, please contact Sergeant
Tarek Ismail, Officer in Charge, Community Relations Office at (818) 374-1996.
If you have not had an opportunity to logon to our websites, please do so. You can “LIKE” us on Facebook at facebook.com/LAPDVanNuysDivision, “FOLLOW” us on Twitter at twitter.com/lapdVanNuysDiv, and “FOLLOW” us on Nixle at local.nixle.com/lapd---van-nuys, FOLLOW” us on Patch at shermanoaks.patch.com/listings/lapd-van-nuys-station, and “VISIT” us online at www.lapdvannuys.com/.
Thank you for your continued support of Van Nuys Area. Please remember our slogan of “Lock It, Hide It, Keep It.” Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicle crimes are on the rise, and we do not want you to be a victim!
IVAN MINSAL, Captain
Commanding Officer
Van Nuys Area
North Van Nuys Basic Car Area 9A5
Senior Lead Officer Jose Verdin
Cellular (Field) Telephone (818) 731-2556
Email: 31536@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends/Statistics
The Sepulveda Corridor cars continue to work and monitor the area in an effort to assist our area Vice Unit with more efficiency. Their responsibility is to stay on the Corridor and provide prostitution related enforcement. Prostitution has decreased along the Sepulveda Corridor. Our arrests are down and the foot traffic is also decreasing. Please continue to call and report any sightings of any street walkers. We have had a few property related crimes, mostly thefts from motor vehicles. The vehicles are either left unlocked or with valuables in plain sight. Please secure your valuables and lock your vehicle. Please continue to report any sightings to our area Vice Unit at (818) 374-0066
Crime Prevention Tips
Please report any suspicious activity or person by calling the Los Angeles Police Department at the Non-emergency phone number of (877) ASK LAPD, and for crimes in progress dial “911.” Please keep your valuables out of sight, prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a property related crime.
Upcoming Community/ Neighborhood Watch Events
Please come out and join us at the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting located at 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard inside the (Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center). The meeting will take place on September 11, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.
Neighborhood Watch News
If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood, please call me at (818) 731-2556 for further details.
East-Central Van Nuys Basic Car Area 9A19
Senior Lead Officer Kathryn Paschal
Cellular (Field) Telephone 818-731-2566
E-Mail address: 36128@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends/Statistics
Property crimes are still my focus for my Basic Car area, specifically burglary from motor vehicles. Criminals are still checking for unlocked vehicles with items of interest inside. These items can be a purse, CD case, navigation system, etc. When the criminals find the unlocked vehicle, they take advantage of the opportunity. Therefore, please, remember to lock your vehicles and either take your valuables inside or place them under a car seat. Simply placing your valuables in the center console or glove compartment may be enough to avoid a criminal selecting your vehicle. Your vigilance will help make our community a safer place to live.
Crime Prevention Tips
Please continue to report suspicious activity of unfamiliar people even looking into windows of vehicles. Please report any suspicious activity or person by calling the Los Angeles Police Department at the Non-Emergency phone number of (877) ASK LAPD, and for crimes in progress dial “911.” Please keep your valuables out of sight, prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a property related crime.
Upcoming Community Events
Please come out and support the Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council meeting, which takes place the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at Valley College in the staff lounge. Also, the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association meets at Erwin Elementary School at 7:00 p.m., on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month (on the even numbered months).
Neighborhood Watch News
If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch Program, please call me at (818) 731-2566 for information.
Central Van Nuys Basic Car Area 9A23
Senior Lead Officer Vince Di Mauro
Cellular Phone: (818) 731-2557
Email Address: 37682@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends /Statistics
Prostitution has decreased along the Sepulveda Corridor. Officers continue to work and monitor the area in an effort to assist our area Vice Unit. Their responsibility is to stay on the Corridor and provide prostitution related enforcement. Please continue to report any sightings to our area Vice Unit at (818) 374-0066.
Grand Theft Auto (GTA) and Burglary/Theft from Motor Vehicles (BFMV) are on a rise. A majority of these are vehicles either left unlocked, or left unattended with valuables in plain sight. Please talk with your family and friends and remind them to be vigilant by always securing their vehicles, and removing any valuables from inside.
Crime Prevention Tips
Remember the basics. Your mind set will keep you from becoming a victim. Always think about the simple things you can do to keep from being the next report I review. “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it!”
Please keep our community clean. Call 311 to report graffiti, bulky items on the street or sidewalks, and shopping carts in the area. Keeping the streets clean shows the criminals that we have pride in our community, and we will not tolerate their activities.
Please report any suspicious activity or persons by calling the Los Angeles Police Department Non-emergency phone number at (877) ASK.LAPD. For crimes in progress dial 911.
Upcoming Community Events
Please come out and support the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting, which will take place on September 11th, 2013, at approximately 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center at 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard.
Neighborhood Watch News
The L.A.P.D. is continuing to bring community policing to the Internet. The E-Policing program enables Senior Lead Officers, Area Captains, and Detectives to e-mail Newsletters, crime trends, and other important information to you. It is easy, sign-up now. Get LAPD crime maps, join/start a Neighborhood Watch, and become part of our team of crime-fighters.
Valley Glen Basic Car Area 9A37
Senior Lead Officer Steve Underwood
Cell Phone: (818) 731-2562
Email: 36355@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends/ Statistics
Burlgary and Theft From Motor Vehicles (BTFV) also known as “car break-ins” have been on the rise. While this crime is on the rise, it is most significant along Coldwater Canyon and neighborhoods east of Fulton Avenue and west of Coldwater Canyon south of Chandler Boulevard. Another new crime on the rise is the theft of brass sprinkler heads from front lawns. This crime is occurring during the day as well as evening hours.
Crime Prevention Tips
As always, Lock it, lock your homes, windows, and especially your vehicles. Hide it, keep your valuables out of sight, do not leave them in your car and when you must just lock them in your trunk. Keep it, if you lock it and hide it you and your neighbors will decrease your chances of becoming a victim.
If you observe anything suspicious, please call 1-877-ASK-LAPD. This is a great resource; this is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Non-emergency line that will dispatch your calls to the police. Please be descriptive in your information that you give to the operator. The more descriptive you can be the better.
Upcoming Community and Neighborhood Events:
Please come out and support the Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council meeting, which takes place the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m., at Valley College in the staff lounge. Also, the Valley Glen Neighborhood Association meets at Erwin Elementary School at 7:00 p.m., on the 3rd Tuesday of every other month (on the even numbered months).
Neighborhood Watch News
If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain and starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood, please call me at (818) 731-2562 for further details.
Central Van Nuys Basic Car Area 9A41
Senior Lead Officer Anthony Cabunoc
Cellular (Field) Telephone (818) 731-2560
Email: 25170@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends /Statistics
I returned from vacation only to find that we, Basic Car 41, have spiked in crimes of Burglary from Motor Vehicle (BFMV) by a 30 percent increase. I met with Van Nuys Auto Detectives who provided me with some great video capturing the suspect and his accomplice breaking into vehicles parked in apartment subterranean garages. Although the garages were well lighted, camera equipped, and closed to the public these suspects find their way into any such facility. The suspects are seen peering in vehicles as if to window shop. They always find a target, and with a quick window smash with a blunt object they reach in and out comes someone’s property. Often multiple cars have been known to be broken into in during one spree. Give them the opportunity and they will seize it. I could give you suspect descriptions, but that would only train you to look for that description or profile. What I need you to do is get the word out, practice what we preach, keep all property out of your car. Remove all your property; lock it away in a trunk. I have not read a report in some time that stated that the suspects broke into the trunk after finding nothing in the interior passenger area. Reduce your chance and your neighbor’s chance of becoming a victim, or for that matter making your neighborhood a prime location for easy pickings and return visits. Please practice the above advice and keep even the small things such as sunglasses, garage door openers, and empty purses out of sight. Garage door openers would be quite nice along with the address on your registration. Help me get the word out and tell your neighbors not to invite thieves back into our neighborhood.
Please report any suspicious activity or person by calling the Los Angeles Police Department at the Non-emergency phone number of (877) ASK LAPD, and for crimes in progress dial “911.” Together we can make our neighborhoods safe.
Crime Prevention Tips
Burglary from motor vehicle:
Remove all valuables from your vehicle. “Lock It, Hide it, Keep It”
Please report any suspicious activity or person by calling the Los Angeles Police Department at the Non-emergency phone number of (877) ASK LAPD, and for crimes in progress dial “911.” Together we can make our neighborhoods safe.
Upcoming Community/Neighborhood Events
Please come out and support the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council meeting, which will take place on September 11th, 2013, at approximately 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Marvin Braude Constituent Service Center at 6262 Van Nuys Boulevard.
Neighborhood Watch News
Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group. If you desire to have one started, call me at the Van Nuys Station Senior Lead Office at (818) 374-1995, or my cell phone at (818) 731-2560. The L.A.P.D. is continuing to bring community policing to the Internet. The E-Policing program enables Senior Lead Officers, Area Captains, and Detectives to e-mail Newsletters, crime trends, and other important information to you. It is easy, sign-up now. Get LAPD crime maps, join/start a Neighborhood Watch, and become part of our team of crime-fighters.
North Sherman Oaks Basic Car 9A63
Senior Lead Officer Trent Berry
Cellular (Field) Telephone 818-731-2563
E-mail address: 27270@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends / Statistics
Burglary from Motor Vehicles continues to be a huge problem in the Valley. The only way to put a dent in this crime, and reduce your chances of being a victim, is to not leave any valuables in your vehicle. Please make it a habit to remove all valuables from your vehicle when your car is going to be left unattended. REMEMBER “LOCK IT, HIDE IT, KEEP IT.”
As for the Residential Burglaries, the majority of these happen during the day. The best defense against this is a strong Neighborhood Watch program. If you do not have one in your area, please contact me to learn how to get started or just attend one of our monthly meetings held on the last Thursday of the month (See below).
If you are not a part of an ACTIVE Neighborhood Watch group, please contact me and we can get things set up in your area.
Crime Prevention Tips
Remember the basics. Your mind set will keep you from becoming a victim. Always think about the simple things you can do to keep from being the next report I review. “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it!”
Keep our community clean. Call 311 to report graffiti, bulky items on the street or sidewalks, and shopping carts in the area. Keeping the streets clean shows the criminals that we have pride in our community, and we will not tolerate their activities.
Please report any suspicious activity or persons by calling the Los Angeles Police Department Non-emergency phone number at 877.ASK.LAPD, and for crimes in progress dial 911.
Upcoming Community/Neighborhood Events
District three (Sherman Oaks Area) has a Neighborhood Watch Block Leader’s Meeting on the last Thursday of the month. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group and participating as a Block Captain, you are welcome to attend any of these meetings. They are located at the Sunkist Building at 14130 Riverside Drive, at 1830 hours (6:30 p.m.), on the last Thursday of the month.
Neighborhood Watch News
If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group or becoming a Block Captain for your area, or you were a Block Captain previously, please call me so that we can discuss your area. I can be reached during my workdays and hours on my City cell phone at (818) 731-2563.
South Sherman Oaks Basic Car 9A89
Senior Lead Officer Jose Saldana
Cell Phone (818) 731-2565
E-mail: 30853@lapd.lacity.org
Crime Trends/Statistics
The Department continues to push its new slogan in the battle against vehicle break-in’s “Lock it, Hide it, Keep it.” Please remember this when locking and securing your vehicles. Even for a short period, nothing should be left in your vehicles. Too many people continue to make themselves an easy target for Burglary from Motor Vehicles by leaving valuables in plain sight inside their vehicles. Please remember, what may not be valuable to you, may be extremely valuable to someone else. Things such as change, CD’s, clothing, cell phones, laptop computers, GPs units, and purses are just some of the targeted items. You must keep your vehicle free of any visible items to reduce your chances of becoming a victim. REMEMBER, “LOCK IT, HIDE IT, KEEP IT.”
As for the Residential Burglaries, the majority of these happen during the day. The best defense against this is a strong Neighborhood Watch program. If you do not have one in your area please contact me to learn how to get started, or just attend one of our monthly meetings held on the last Thursday of the month (See below).
We are also seeing an increase in graffiti activity in the Sherman Oaks area. Most, if not all is tagging and not gang graffiti. Still, this is blight to the area and we are working hard to catch these vandals. Please report any graffiti to us so that we may photo it and document it. Also, you may request to have it painted out by calling 311.
Crime Prevention Tips
If you are home during the daytime, especially if you live in the hills, please occasionally walk outside and take a look around. Please make it look obvious that you are doing this, if anyone is checking out your neighborhood they might go elsewhere. Remember, do not leave anything that appears to be of value visible in your vehicles. Remind all your friends and families not to leave things visible in their vehicles.
Upcoming Community/Neighborhood events
District three (Sherman Oaks Area) has a Neighborhood Watch Block Leader’s Meeting on the last Thursday of the month. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group and participating as a Block Captain, you are welcome to attend any of these meetings. They are located at the Sunkist Building at 14130 Riverside Drive, at 1830 hours, on the last Thursday of the month. Please come and join us
Neighborhood Watch News
The Neighborhood Watch Program is alive and well in Sherman Oaks. If you are not a member of a group, contact me or come visit the above meeting. My City cell phone number is (818) 731-2565.
valley bureau 
