Advisory: Putting Cops on the Dots --- Look Who’s Stealing Cars

Advisory: Putting Cops on the Dots --- Look Who’s Stealing Cars #LAPD

 

Putting Cops on the Dots --- Look Who’s Stealing Cars

Pin maps are an age-old way police keep track of crimes and identify patterns. Putting cops on those dots on the map often results in drops in crime.

Such has been the case in the Mission Area, which has seen a spike in stolen cars. “We’ve seen a drop of about 5 stolen cars per week over the last month, compared to August,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division. “But the number of stolen cars is still high compared to the same time last year.”

For the same four weeks last year, the Mission Area had 50 cars stolen over 4 weeks, compared to this year’s 83.

Patrol officers have been focused on stolen cars (GTA), following a profile that’s developed lately:

* 33% of GTAs are taken between midnight and 6 AM.
* 88% of GTAs are taken from the street or parking lots
* Nearly 50% of GTAs are Hondas and Toyotas
* 83% of GTAs taken are for models over 10 years old
* Majority of cars are recovered within a couple days, not stripped

Over the last 3 days, LAPD patrol officers assigned to the Mission Area have arrested 7 men, all gang members, among three stolen cars.

“Two of those cars had not even been reported stolen yet,” Lt. Vernon explained. “But the officers knew the times, places, and types of cars being stolen, so they were looking and ready to pounce if they saw a car fitting the profile.”

Not surprising to police, one of the arrestees was on probation under the state’s AB 109 realignment program, released from prison just a couple months before from a GTA conviction; and another arrestee was just released on regular parole.

“We’re seeing a gradual uptick in crime, primarily property crimes, because these are the types of criminals being released from jails,” Lt. Vernon explained. “We’ll keep putting the cops on the dots and push the crooks back through the ever faster revolving door.”

In the mean time, police recommend that owners of cars with model years before 2001 purchase steering-wheel anti-theft devices that will visibly lock their steering wheel to the brake pedal.

Prepared by
Lt. Paul Vernon

Crime is on the Rise

ALERT:  There was a home burglary on Marson yesterday Sept 20, 2012.

We need to watch out, not only for ourselves but, for our neighbors. Please report any suspicious activity going on in and around our neighborhood.

Next Meeting in January 2013

Just wanted to let everyone know that we will not be having another Neighborhood Watch meeting until January 2013.  Debbie will be out of town the beginning of November and with the Holidays and everything we have decided to postpone out next meeting until then.

We are experiencing a large number of dogs in our neighborhood running free or off their leash.  If your pet is out front of your house it needs to be on a Leash. If you see dogs running around our neighborhood, please call Department of Animal Control and report them. The number to call is (888) 452-7381.

 

California Dog Leash Laws

Each state has their own unique set of rules regarding leash laws for dogs. When it comes to California, the state has a strict liability policy which means people are liable for any injuries or damage that a dog does, whether or not the owner was negligent. Owners are not only liable if the dog attacks a human, they are also liable if the dog attacks any animal, except for another dog or cat. Knowing that the owner is always at fault, eases the litigious process and reduces the number of drawn out legal claims made against owners for dog attacks.

Dog Bite Statue

• California has a dog bite statue. This means that owners are liable if their dog bites someone, and this rule extends to private property as well. Only in the case of trespassing is the dog bite statue reconsidered, and a court will determine who is liable in those cases. The only people exempt form the dog bite statue are police, military, and other government agencies that are using an attack dog to assist with job duties.

Warning

• In California, it is illegal to leash or affix a dog to anything unless the dog has adequate food and shelter within reach. California believes that every dog should be provided with enough area to exercise and leashes prohibit this basic need. Therefore, dog owners who keep their dogs tied to parking meters, benches, or other objects can be threatened with a misdemeanor offense. However, there are certain areas where leash laws do not apply and that includes when an animal is in transit, in a vehicle, or in the physical possession of someone.