There are many good things happening in the North Hollywood Area. Overall, crime in North Hollywood continues to head downward. This is important, since crime traditionally rises during the summer months however, as it stands right now, we are defying that trend. Our goal is to remain constantly aware of what crime reduction strategies are most effective, and to keep those crime statistics heading downward.
As you may recall from the last issue, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Captain John Peters, Commanding Officer, North Hollywood Patrol Division. Captain Peters joined the Department in 1987 and worked in a variety of areas including Detectives, Narcotics, Training and Internal Affairs. His most recent assignments included working in the Metropolitan Division where he served as the Officer in Charge of the Mounted Platoon and the Assistant Officer in Charge of SWAT. As you can see from his background, he brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to North Hollywood Area.
I want to remind everyone that National Night Out is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, August 5, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at North Hollywood Park. Numerous City agencies, including the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments will have exhibits on display. There will be live entertainment and free "In-N-Out" burgers for the first 750 persons in attendance. As always, if you desire more information about the National Night Out, the Senior Lead Office can be reached at 818-755-7679.
National Night Out is an awareness-raising program whose goal is to take back the streets for the community. The premise is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participate in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships and send a message to criminals, letting them know that unified communities are very crime-resistant. Historically, the National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities nationwide.
I look forward to meeting you at the National Night Out as we strive together to bring our crime rate to a minimum in North Hollywood Area!
SHARYN I. BUCK, Captain
Area Commanding Officer
North Hollywood Community Police Station
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A3
Senior Lead Officer Esther Vasquez
Voice Mail 818-634-0854
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 7 15 -53.33%
BTFV 23 19 21.05%
GTA 34 23 47.83%
Burglary 9 14 -35.71%
Homicide 0 2 -200.00%
Robbery 5 12 -58.33%
Rape 1 0 100.00%
Other Theft 27 17 58.82%
GTP 1 0 100.00%
Total 107 102 4.90%
Crime Trends:
This period we saw a decrease in burglary, robbery, aggravated assaults and homicide. However, there was an increase in grand theft auto (GTA) and burglary from motor vehicle. Other theft did rise and could be contributed to the theft of catalytic converters.
Crime Strategies:
We will continue the use of daily missions for patrol in the areas of increased crime as well as vice and property crimes for undercover operations. Additionally, the use of our volunteer surveillance team to impact areas of crime will be a nice addition to our arsenal.
Significant Arrests:
Officers conducted a stop on two men who were pushing a vehicle on Strathern and Vineland. After a thorough investigation the two were arrested for grand theft auto, possession of narcotics, possession of a handgun, and a parole violation. Needless to say this was a great arrest and two criminals are now out of your community. We hope these arrests as well as others made will continue to effectively show a decrease in crime in these areas.
Upcoming events:
Sun Valley Business Watch Meeting
August 19, 2008, 8:00 am
City National Bank,
8012 Vineland Avenue
Strathern Neighborhood Watch Meeting
August 20, 2008, 6:30pm at
Strathern Elementary
7939 St Clair
National Night Out (2 Events)
August 5, 2008 5:00 p.m.
Jaime Beth Slavin Park
Whitsett and Strathern
North Hollywood Park
August 5, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
Magnolia and Tujunga
Both events will have food and great gatherings of community for awareness of crime. If you can’t make both at least attend one for the unity of you and others against crime.
Crime Prevention Tips:
We continue to ponder ways of identifying catalytic converters in order to link them to those that have been stolen. Any way of placing an identification number such as a license plate or VIN number could assisted in prosecuting a suspect in possession of stolen goods. We welcome any and all ideas, which should be shared at neighborhood watch meetings.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A13
Senior Lead Officer Gabriel Ahedo
Voice Mail 818-634-0949
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 3 6 -50.00%
BTFV 15 23 -34.78%
GTA 18 16 12.50%
Burglary 4 8 -50.00%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 4 6 -33.33%
Rape 0 0 0.00%
Other Theft 18 14 28.57%
GTP 0 1 -100.00%
Total 62 74 -16.22%
Crime Trends:
During this deployment period aggravated assaults and burglaries were down 50%. Robberies and burglary from motor vehicles were down approximately 35%. There was a minor increase in grand theft autos.
We had three catalytic converter thefts in our area. Most of the converters were taken from pick-up trucks. This is a Citywide problem.
Crime Strategies:
Continue to brief roll calls on problem locations;
Continue the visibility of patrol units;
Use property crimes and vice to combat the auto theft problem; and,
Work closely with gang officers, auto detectives and violent crime task force.
Significant Arrests:
On July 13, 2008 patrol officers were conducting extra patrol in the area of Vineland and Valerio, a known area for Vineland Boys gang to frequent. As officers were traveling southbound Vineland Avenue approaching Valerio, they observed the suspect leaning over the passenger side door with his head and arms inside the vehicle. As the suspect noticed the police presence, he immediately started walking away from the vehicle. The suspect had an alcoholic beverage in his hand as he walked away. Officers detained the suspect. As the officers were talking with the suspect, the owner of vehicle walked outside and headed to his vehicle. The owner advised the officers that his vehicle was locked and secured and he didn’t give anyone permission to go in his vehicle. Officers arrested the suspect for burglary from motor vehicle. The suspect is a known Vineland Boys gang member that lives in the area.
Upcoming events:
Neighborhood Watch Meeting
August 11, 2008, at 1900 hours
Church of San Pablo
Valerio/ Tujunga
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park,
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Crime Prevention Tips:
Don’t become a victim of auto theft. Invest a little in an anti-theft device, such as an alarm and a “club”. Don’t forget to park your vehicle well lit areas and never leave your valuables in plain view.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A21
Senior Lead Officer Carol Sawamura
Voice Mail (818) 634-0852
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 0 6 -600.00%
BTFV 14 26 -46.15%
GTA 13 14 -7.14%
Burglary 4 14 -71.43%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 9 5 80.00%
Rape 1 1 0.00%
Other Theft 10 16 -37.50%
GTP 0 0 0.00%
Total 51 82 -37.80%
Crime Trends:
Overall crime is down almost 40 percent. There have been several street robberies in the Sherman Way corridor.
Crime Strategies:
Continue the push for arrests and foot beats at the complex;
Deploy a decoy car along the Sherman Way corridor;
Utilize the citizen surveillance team to conduct operations on Sherman Way; and,
Speak with business owners along Sherman Way to ensure they have working cameras.
Upcoming Events:
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park,
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Significant Arrests:
Officers have been concentrating their efforts in and around the 13100 block of Vanowen. During this time, officers have arrested suspects for illegal weapon possession, possession of burglary tools, grand theft auto, and a parole violation.
Crime Prevention Tips:
Be aware of solicitors knocking on your front door. Watch where they go and report them. Be aware of catalytic converter thefts. Go Online and look up “lock bumping.” A suspect can shave a key down and “bump” it into your door lock. The lock will engage and the door will unlock. There are certain locks that these shaved keys cannot be used on.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A27
Senior Lead Officer Tito Mariscal
Voice Mail 818-634-0941
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 7 2 250.00%
BTFV 28 15 86.67%
GTA 13 13 0.00%
Burglary 20 13 53.85%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 2 7 -71.43%
Rape 0 1 -100.00%
Other Theft 15 14 7.14%
GTP 0 0 0.00%
Total 85 65 30.77%
Crime Trends:
Aggravated assaults are up 250 percent, and burglaries are up 53 percent. On the positive side, robberies are down 71 percent.
Crime Strategies:
Do not leave items such as GPS and I-Pods in your vehicle in plain view. If you must keep items in your vehicle, lock them in the trunk. Thieves are walking around looking into vehicles for items to steal. If they do not see it, they will not break in. Also, during the summer months, we tend to keep our windows at home open during the day. Remember when you leave your home lock your doors and windows. Thieves look for an easy target.
Upcoming Events:
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Business Watch Meeting
August 6, 2008
12:00 P.M.
6650 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood
Neighborhood Watch Meeting
August 19, 2008
12:00 P.M.
6733 Cleon Avenue, North Hollywood
Crime Prevention Tips:
The service to call for graffiti removal is the City information line, 311.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A33
Senior Lead Officer: Vacant
Voice Mail 818-634-0809
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 3 5 -40.00%
BTFV 21 16 31.25%
GTA 6 10 -40.00%
Burglary 9 8 12.50%
Homicide 0 2 -100.00%
Robbery 5 4 25.00%
Rape 1 0 100.00%
Other Theft 17 28 -39.29%
GTP 1 0 100.00%
Total 63 73 -13.70%
Crime Trends:
Overall there was a 13 percent decrease in crime. Burglary/theft from motor vehicle was up over 31 percent. Aggravated Assaults and Grand theft auto were both down 40 percent and Other theft down 39 percent.
Crime Strategies:
The abandoned commercial building at Laurel Canyon/ Victory has become a haven for homeless and thieves. A request for Street Services has been made to assist in clearing out a homeless encampment along the 170 Freeway and Victory Boulevard. Extra patrol will be deployed for two days with the bicycle unit and will address transients in the area of Victory/Laurel Canyon.
Upcoming Events:
Neighborhood Watch Meeting
Tuesday July 15, 2008
Colfax Elementary School
Colfax Avenue and Addison Street
National Night Out
Tuesday August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Crime Prevention Tips:
Be aware of solicitors knocking on your front door. If you see any suspicious activity, report it. Be aware of catalytic converter thefts. Go on line and look up “lock bumping”. A suspect can shave a key down and “bump” it into your door lock. The lock will engage and the door will unlock. There are certain locks that these shaved keys cannot be used on.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A39
Senior Lead Officer John Catalano
Voice Mail 818-634-32740
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 6 7 -14.29%
BTFV 11 16 -31.25%
GTA 15 5 200.00%
Burglary 8 9 -11.11%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 3 7 -57.14%
Rape 2 1 100.00%
Other Theft 15 8 87.50%
GTP 0 1 -100.00%
Total 60 54 11.11%
Crime Trends:
There was an 11% increase in crime this period. Grand theft auto and thefts are our biggest problems this month.
Crime Reduction Strategies:
Newsletter will be e-mailed out and placed on area web sites focused on prevention of Burglary from Motor Vehicles;
Attend your local neighborhood, business and school meetings;
Start Neighborhood Watch Group in new areas;
Encourage your neighbors to get involved in reporting criminal activity;
Report any truancy activity and curfew violations in your neighborhood; and,
If you are remodeling your house or have a construction site in your neighborhood, you should check the LAPD E-Policing site for burglaries reported in your area.
Upcoming Events:
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Crime Prevention Tips:
We continue having burglaries from motor vehicle in North Hollywood. Remember to remove any and all valuables that are left visible inside a parked vehicle.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A43
Senior Lead Officer Manny Arreygue
Voice Mail (818) 634-0829
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 2 1 100.00%
BTFV 33 32 3.13%
GTA 17 14 21.43%
Burglary 8 13 -38.46%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 4 2 100.00%
Rape 0 0 0.00%
Other Theft 4 12 -66.67%
GTP 0 0 0.00%
Total 68 74 -8.11%
Crime Trends:
Based on the current crime statistics, overall crime is down in our area. We will continue to work hard to reduce that particular crime. The areas still in our radar are on Magnolia Blvd between Colfax Avenue and Laurel Canyon Blvd. These areas are constantly an ongoing problem with property related crimes.
Crime Reduction Strategies:
Organize neighborhood clean-up days to send the message that your community is closed to thieves, vandals, and loiterers;
Sponsor a Neighborhood Watch;
Be sure the outside doors of your home or business have strong deadbolt locks;
Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby shopkeeper, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox;
Lock gates, garage doors, and shed doors after every use;
Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide, including the spaces between trees or shrubbery, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entryways;
Set timers on lights when you’re away from home or your business is closed so it appears to be occupied;
Keep your bike and sports equipment inside the house when not in use; and,
Avoid confrontations with burglars.
Significant Arrests:
Recently, I arrested an individual that was responsible for property- related crimes in the southern portion of our area. This arrest would not have been possible without the assistance of the various Neighborhood Watch groups. As you can see, Neighborhood Watch works!
Upcoming Events:
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Crime Prevention Tips:
The service to call for graffiti removal is the City information line, 311.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A67
Senior Lead Officer Rob Benavidez
Voice Mail 818-634-0978
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 4 5 -20.00%
BTFV 45 35 28.57%
GTA 8 10 -20.00%
Burglary 15 20 -25.00%
Homicide 0 0 100.00%
Robbery 6 0 600.00%
Rape 0 2 -100.00%
Other Theft 11 19 -42.11%
GTP 1 0 100.00%
Total 90 91 -1.10%
Crime Trends:
Burglaries and Grand theft autos were just slightly down from last month, however, burglary/theft from vehicles and robberies were both up. The increase in burglary/theft from vehicles was again in the area south of Magnolia and west of Lankershim, and in the area around the NoHo arts district.
Crime Reduction Strategies:
Encourage and create new neighborhood and business watch groups.
Provide information for crime prevention/awareness and to get the community involved in crime reduction strategies and the reporting of criminal activity.
Enforcement of all LAMC and Penal Code sections along the 101-Freeway embankment for homeless violators.
Extra patrol from basic cars, Vice and FES
Continue to work with Cal Trans and CHP to clear homeless encampments along all freeway embankments.
Maintain relationships with building managers and property owners and provide suggestions to improve security and lighting.
Obtain trespass letters and get property owners to board up vacated properties.
Upcoming events:
Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council Meeting
August 19, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Toluca Elementary
4840 Cahuenga Boulevard
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park,
5:00 pm -9:00 pm.
Crime Prevention Tips:
I-Pods and portable GPS systems continue to be the most commonly stolen items from cars. PLEASE remember to take the extra few seconds to remove these items from your car. Burglary/theft from vehicles continues to lead my crime statistics. Help to reduce the numbers by taking these items out of your car.
Significant Arrest:
On July 1, 2008 at approximately 4:00 p.m., residents on the 10500 block of Woodbridge observed what appeared to be two solicitors walking door to door. They observed one suspect walk up to the porch of a neighbor’s house and knock on the door. When there was no answer, the suspect entered a side gate and then entered the residence through an open side window. The resident that was watching the activity immediately phoned 911. While waiting for police to arrive, the resident kept eyes on the location. The resident observed the suspect exit the residence and start walking westbound on Woodbridge. Worried that the suspect might get away, two residents confronted the suspect and took him into custody prior to the police arrival. The police arrived shortly after and placed the suspect under arrest for residential burglary.
North Hollywood Basic Car 15A85
Senior Lead Officer Mike Lewis
Voice Mail 818-634-2593
June 19 to July 18, 2008 May 19 to June 18, 2008 % CHANGE
Agg Assault 0 2 -200.00%
BTFV 49 47 4.26%
GTA 6 9 -33.33%
Burglary 14 17 -17.65%
Homicide 0 0 0.00%
Robbery 4 3 33.33%
Rape 1 0 100.00%
Other Theft 14 20 -30.00%
GTP 0 0 0.00%
Total 88 98 -10.20%
Crime Trends
Overall crime in Studio City decreased over 10 percent. However, as you can see burglary/theft from vehicles (BTFV) increased a bit compared to last period. Studio City averages about 25-30 BTFVs a month. With 53 reports this is about double of what we usually average. There has been a large increase in of BTFVs in the Fryman Park area of the Studio City. Please keep your eyes and ears out and don’t leave valuable property in your cars.
Significant Incidents:
We are very fortunate in Studio City that there is not a lot of violent crime however, there is a lot of property crime. Approximately 90% - 95% of residential burglaries occur during the daytime. It’s also important to remember that the majority of these suspect’s first knock on your front door to see if anybody is home and they usually break into your house via the backyard. I do not recall a significant incident that occurred in Studio City within the last reporting period but let me take this opportunity to talk about crime prevention and looking after your neighbor.
If we know that the majority of residential burglaries occur during the daytime and the majority of the time the suspects knock on the front door, which should be your first clue. Please pay attention to somebody knocking on doors in your neighborhood and if you see somebody walking up to your neighbor’s house, in the middle of the day, pay extra attention. If they knock on the front door and nobody answers and they then jump a wall or fence to the backyard, this is a burglar and this is a 911 call to communications. This is how we catch bad guys; we need your help and attention. Be safe out there and keep an eye on your neighbors.
Crime Strategies:
Continue to educate citizens on strategies of how to not become a victim;
Aggressively target the motels along Ventura Boulevard; and,
Work in cooperation with the Violent Crimes Task Force.
Upcoming Events:
National Night Out
August 5, 2008
North Hollywood Park,
Tujunga and Magnolia.
5:00 - 9:00 pm.
Studio City Residence Association meeting will be at the Beverly Garland Hotel on August 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
valley bureau 
