14A49 COMMUNITY BASED POLICING MEETING, NOVEMBER 10, 2004

The monthly meeting was again held on the tarp covered deck off of the break room. In spite of being well attended, it was a short meeting.

Officer Beacham started off with a discussion of Measure A and how its failure to pass impacted Pacific Division. It reduced the number of officers at Pacific by 35. He informed us the officers were transferred to the Wilshire and Hollywood Divisions since their crime stats are considerably higher than ours. Pacific still has enough officers to fill the basic cars, however, if any officers are absent, for whatever reason, fewer cars will be available to go out into the community.

It was also mentioned that because Measure A did not pass there will be less money available for use in promoting officers. Pacific Division is already over budget with overtime. Officers will be promoted but not in a timely manner. Officer Beacham, who made Sergeant, probably won’t be promoted until well into 2005, considerably delaying the time that promoted officers will be able to move to their new posts.

There was a question regarding calls for city services. It was suggested that residents call 311 instead of using the City of Los Angeles 800 numbers. A live person answers 311, and when you request a service you are immediately transferred to the right entity.

Officer Beacham thanked attendees and expressed his appreciation for their work in volunteering to clean up the police station grounds. Because of the times we live in, he suggested that anyone planning to work on the station grounds first go inside and check in at the main desk before beginning work. Apparently one of our regular meeting attendees working in front of the station was approached and questioned by an officer.

Washington Place continues to be plagued by the suspicious white van activity. Officer Beacham checked all of the license plates and learned the vans were owned by one resident on Marcastle. Officer Beacham spoke to the owner and was told he stores, transports and sells ice. The police are continuing to patrol the area and monitor the suspicious activity.

There were a couple of complaints of homeless people camping out in the area of LaBallona creek near Mesmer.

A potluck will be held at the next Community Based Policing Meeting. Everyone was asked to bring their favorite dish to the potluck and also a toy for donation to needy children for Christmas.

Officer Beacham will be leaving on vacation December 16th and will return January 16th.