MIssion Station Party Car

Funds Allotted to Run Party Car in Northeast San Fernando Valley NR12488bb

Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department joined City Councilmember Richard Alarcon, 7th District, at a news conference this morning, to announce funding for a dedicated police party patrol car, which will resume operation next weekend and every weekend until the end of the year.

“I want to thank Councilman Alarcon personally and on behalf of the public in the northeast valley for fighting for these funds,” said Captain Todd Chamberlain, commanding officer of the LAPD Mission Community Police Station.  “This patrol car will bring a little more solace to the neighborhoods and no doubt reduce some major crimes.”

“The “Party Car” might sound like a bit of a misnomer,” said Captain Todd Chamberlain.  “It’s no party for the officers assigned as they patrol through neighborhoods where loud, raucous parties often hold neighborhoods hostage.”

The Party Car was instituted earlier this year as a way to free up regular patrol cars for other, more pressing cases.  “We’re not talking about kids’ birthday parties or baptisms,” Captain Chamberlain explained.  “These are adult parties with heavy drinking, loud music, and often sponsored and attended by gang members.”

Nearly 5,000 party disturbance calls after 10 p.m. were logged with 9-1-1 last year for the northeast valley.  This year through August when the Party Car was last run, officers had responded to nearly 2,100 parties.  Among those, one rape, two robberies and over a dozen aggravated assaults had occurred.

“That may not seem like many crimes, but what we can’t show you was how many more crimes were prevented due to the early intervention of the dedicated Party Car,” Captain Chamberlain stressed.  “We have no doubt that without the Party Car’s early intervention, many more crimes would occur.”

On October 14, 2012, three men were stabbed, one nearly to death, in two incidents at a party on Dronfield Avenue in Sylmar.  Early intervention from officers assigned to the Party Car can prevent these all-too-common assaults.

Anyone with information on crimes can report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

To Catch a Thief

Advisory: TO CATCH A THIEF ~ help dets ID man suspected in stealing shoes from Marshalls in SFV #LAPD

 

Panorama City. Detectives have released photos of a man suspected in shoplifting athletic shoes from the Marshalls store in Panorama City.

One theft occurred on the evening of October 13, 2012 when store security captured the nearly 6-foot tall Hispanic man placing shoes under his large, untucked shirt.

"These are misdemeanor crimes so we have to identify the man first, then get an arrest warrant before he can be arrested," explained Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the Mission Detective Division. "But misdemeanor or not, these are serious crimes because they lead to higher prices for customers and in some cases, high theft occurrences lead to stores closing or moving from neighborhoods."

Typically, simple thefts account for one-quarter of all Part I (major crimes) in the Mission Area, which includes Panorama City. A large percentage of the thefts occur at stores concentrated in Panorama City. Of the 3900 Part I crimes reported in the Mission Area, nearly 900 involved simple thefts, and many of those from shoplifting.

The wanted man is Hispanic, between 30 and 35 years old, and weighs about 210 pounds.

"I would suspect he lives in the neighborhood," Lt. Vernon added. "If he's ripping off one store, he's probably stealing from others too."

Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call Detective Randy Elzinga, Mission Burglary Unit, at (818) 838-9882. Anonymous tips can be called into Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Online tips may be placed at www.LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.

DON'T BE A VICTIM

Community: DON'T BE A VICTIM Ways to reduce property crime and keep your belongings #LAPD

 

Typically, property crime rises dramatically during the holiday shopping season, so now's the time to start practicing better habits to protect yourself from theft, car burglary, and residential burglary.

1) Remove all belongings from the passenger compartment of your car BEFORE you park. Placing things in the trunk while in the parking lot just tells the crook where to find them.

2) Don't text and walk in the street, on sidewalks, or in malls. Same goes for listening to music with earbuds in both ears. Being distracted makes you a vulnerable target.

3) Shop with a partner, especially if you are a woman. You are less susceptible to thefts, cons, and robberies.

4) Carry purses on shoulders and zipped. Men, place wallets in front pockets. Pickpocketing rises during holiday shopping.

5) Be cautious when retrieving money at ATMs. Have a partner looking behind you or away from ATM. Don't flash money when it's dispensed. Put it away!

6) Don't be lured or suckered into street gambling games like 3-card monty. They are one: illegal, and worse: you will be ripped off. You cannot win! And the intent in most games is to get victims flashing money in their hands so shills (usually gang members) can steal the money before you even play the game.

7) Lock your car and your house...always!!!

8) Keep gifts, wrapped or not, out of sight of the public or passersby.

9) All types of electronic devices are the most sought-after loot by crooks. LIKE IT; HIDE IT; KEEP IT!