14A49 COMMUNITY BASED POLICING MEETING, DECEMBER 8, 2004

Attendees had a holiday potluck dinner followed by the meeting.

The annual Christmas toy giveaway will be held at the Mar Vista Gardens gym on December 13th at 6:00 p.m. Officer Heidi Yannes will oversee the activity. Contributions of toys will be accepted at the Pacific Division station through December 12th.
Meeting attendees were invited to join the annual Mar Vista Gardens Pasada on Saturday, December 11th from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. It will start from the Family Center.

Officer Beacham will be on vacation from December 17th through January 13th. In his absence, Bob Decosentine will conduct the January 12th Community Based Police Meeting.

A 14A49 police vehicle responding to a call, and another vehicle, were involved in an incident on Culver Blvd. that resulted in one of the cars veering to the left, losing control and destroying a bus bench and some plants. An occupant of one of the vehicles sustained neck and back injuries. The party in the other car was unhurt.

There was a discussion of off-duty police getting more involved in crime situations. Officer Beacham commented it can be dangerous for an officer out of uniform to get involved in a crime scene. Police called to the scene must make split second decisions. They have no way of knowing immediately if the person in civilian clothes with a gun is a criminal or an off duty officer.

Crime stats for one week showed area 14A49 down by 62% when compared to the same time period last month.

One of the transients, who lived by the wash, was found dead. The cause of death is being investigated.

Bob, a long time transient, lost his small, long haired, orange dog. He continues to hang out in our area.

One of the white ice trucks on Marcasel was found to be stolen and was towed away.

One attendee reported a neighbor for running a business from his home. The attendee phoned and phoned and finally the police came out and shut them down.

A story was relayed about an elderly couple who were recently scammed out of $400.00. Attendees were cautioned to ask solicitors for their permit card before giving money. Legal permit cards are issued by the County of Los Angeles.

One attendee complained of helicopters flying over an area that included his home for an extended period of time.
Another inquired as to what the division policy is on helicopter surveillance. Police helicopters patrol in high crime areas and they can set down on the ground. They are there to support the ground troops and protect us.

There were several issues concerning cars…
Parking enforcement is not doing their job when it comes to ticketing or towing vehicles without current tags.
Owners of cars with tined glass in all windows are violating the law and should be ticketed.
Out of state tags are seen on cars of residents. The cars should be ticketed. Residents must purchase California plates and tags.

Gang Update:

There have been no shootings, however, there has been an increase in graffiti. Officer Beacham commented that when members of gangs in the Mar Vista area get out of prison they come back to Mar Vista and cause trouble. Because Lee Bacha is short on resources, prison inmates are being released early.

Respectfully submitted,Kathy Brier14A49