Police Report May 12, 2004

14A49 COMMUNITY BASED POLICING MEETING, MAY 12, 2004

The monthly meeting conducted by Sergeant Beacham was held in one of the trailers as the Will Call Room was being used to train division officers on PODS, a new state-of-the-art device whereby an officer can swipe a driver license and have access to a driver’s entire background.

Our new Captain, the replacement for Captain Graves, is Billy Williams. Sergeant Beacham will invite him to our June meeting to give the community a chance to meet him. Captain Williams is very familiar with the airport and its accompanying security issues. Sergeant Beacham speculated that his expertise in security may have played a role in being chosen to serve as Pacific Division Captain. The airport falls under the jurisdiction of the Pacific Division.

The $5.6 billion dollar city budget passed, however, this does not mean more officers will be hired. It is a wait and see what happens situation.

Crime in our area continues to be stable - no shootings or assaults – just a few grand theft auto violations. Sergeant Beacham thinks that this may be one of the reasons the Captain, based on need, is temporarily moving resources from Pacific Division to the Oakwood area.

Sergeant Beacham also mentioned there is considerable abuse of handicap placards.

Sherrie Routier, Manager of the Mar Vista Gardens, was involved in an accident at Inglewood and Culver that totaled her truck. The person at fault had no insurance or driver license. She was very shook up but uninjured.

All of the Mar Vista Gardens pedestrian gates have now been locked and cards have been issued to all residents to use for entry. To gain access to the property, the card must be used. When a car drives up to the gate, the occupants are checked to determine if they are residents or visitors.

The balance of the meeting consisted of input from meeting attendees.

Several attendees complained about groups of teens hanging out in the alleys selling and using drugs. Another told of dirt bikers riding in the neighborhood without helmets. Also young people were reported riding scooters in the neighborhood without lights and helmets.

Sergeant Beacham commented you must have a CA ID or license to operate a motorized bike. The bike must be registered, insured and the rider at least 16 years of age.

A meeting attendee reported a car repair business operating on the street and in an alley in a residential area.

Another attendee complained that a white, non-operational van is permanently parked on the street. On street cleaning day, the owners push it across the street and in the evening push it back.

It was reported that young Hispanics are hanging out in the Slauson/Braddock area at night and sleeping in the carports. Crimes of auto break-ins and theft including hub caps have significantly increased in that area.

David Stephens has been back on the phone excessively calling the police station. Sgt. Beacham will discuss this matter with Mitch Fox.

The Pacific Division is looking for volunteers to free up the officers to do what they were trained to do. Duties include answering phones, filing, and computer data entry. All that is required is a background check, fingerprinting and a photo ID. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Officer Wayne Goodman at 202-2890.

Bob DeCosentine also mentioned an activity he is involved with through the Pacific Division whereby volunteers carrying radios drive around a designated area during evening hours and report any suspicious activity to on duty police officers. The volunteers do not carry weapons nor are they confrontational. Because officers cannot be everywhere, the volunteer civilians become their eyes and ears serving a very valuable service. Anyone interested in becoming involved in this worthwhile activity should contact Bob DeCosentine at 202-2890.

Braddock Elementary School will have a beautification clean-up outside of the school on May 22nd from 8:00 – 12 noon. The school is located at Inglewood and Braddock.