Neighborhood Watch Report for 11-21-23

=► NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NOTES ◄= November 21, 2023, 9:00AM Extraordinarily, we began with an hour of hand-to-hand combat training, then target practice. Okay, no way that happened! Not at all. Just wishing. Sorry! ☼ Getting back to reality...21 residents from Sunland-Tujunga and nearby areas met at Crow's Nest Restaurant in Tujunga to hear crime stats, share concerns, trade ideas, AND meet Tujunga's new temporary Senior Lead Officer (SLO), Ester Alvarado! We're impressed! ► Reach Officer Alvarado at

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. BUT always call 911 for emergencies or a crime in progress. ► Sunland SLO Wili Godoy led the meeting and handed out flyers for a FREE Hyundai/Kia event to upgrade software that helps prevent easy theft. Call

to schedule an appointment for this Sunday, 3 Dec., 8am to 3pm, Mission Hills Hyundai. Sunland Stats Homicides: +100% Robberies: +14% more intervention by owner/mgrs. Aggravated assault: -28% Violent crimes: -28% Burglaries: -16% Grand theft auto (GTA) +10%, from 103 to 114, so upgrade your security for attractive or "easy" vehicles. SLO Godoy says they arrest the same perps repeatedly because there's little punishment or time off the street. On the plus side, LAPD now often knows who’s a suspect. Godoy is requesting more patrols. Vote wisely on Election Day! Tujunga Stats Homicides: -83% Burglaries: +6.9% Personal theft -4.5% GTA: +1.4% Burglary from vehicle: +11.2%, often in nice neighborhoods CAMERAS discourage opportunistic crimes, but not planned crimes by determined criminals. Videos are electronically circulated throughout LAPD in case perps are known in other precincts. ► Your own neighborly interaction is a great crime-stopper. Know who lives on your street. Say hi during walks. If neighbors are willing, exchange contact info. ► DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR TO STRANGERS! Local social media is filled with homes being approached by people with odd stories. No matter how pathetic, innocent, or "official" their story sounds, they don't need to be INSIDE your home! ► There were four burglaries last month: Revealingly, in three, residents ignored their alarms—to their great subsequent upset! MANY burglary investigations reveal no broken locks or windows. But residents don't want to confess they've left homes unlocked when away or sleeping. ► Crims have a way to see the contents of your car even through tinted windows. So...Hide it, Lock it, Keep it! Even worse, stealing your smartphone can come with your cost to replace a car or truck window. ► One resident reported a lady approached her needing help with a stolen phone and wanting a ride. According to Officer Godoy, this same unfortunate reports sniper fire when no shots have been fired. He advises not offering a ride. LAPD's Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU) has been notified. ►► Unhoused Patrick had an open warrant and minor use of force was necessary to detain him. Within minutes of his arrest, MEU was advised, but didn’t pick him up at jail. He's now free. Patrick HAS an apartment! He's been offered EVERY type of assistance MANY times, for YEARS. Godoy and Ricardo Flores coordinate frequently about Patrick. To many, he seems prideful in his resistance and the attention he receives. A resident complains Patrick spits on her car but that's not vandalism as there's no damage. His ongoing violation is LAMC 41.18, because his junk denies others access to sidewalks and rights of way. CD7's Ricardo Flores says more measures are coming. S-T and nearby homeless count is lower than most Foothill areas, so maybe we've done something right? For a wealth of help, reach Ricardo at: Ricardo.X.F

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. ►► A speaker noted the underlying problem is lax, uninvolved, and irresponsible judges—bolstered by "kind" laws and propositions CA voters passed—who think it's humane to leave homeless or criminals on the streets. Q&A! ► If a burglar has just left our home, should we still call 911? Yes! Give all details, answer all questions truthfully, and the operator will decide if an immediate response might be helpful or—if the danger has passed—the call should route to Dispatch. ► What’s about any local follow-home and targeted robberies? One such robbery, not local, took several hours at the home. Especially if you carry jewels, pharmaceuticals, cash or valuables, constantly take different routes. Check all three mirrors. Consider buying a vehicle camera that also looks rearward. If uncertain you're being followed, take 3-4 consecutive right turns. If certain, call 911 ASAP. Explain, describe, and follow directions. ► Is there a consistent gang presence here? Not today! Years ago, there was one in Shadow Hills. ► Are security screens any good? Officer Godoy says even heavy screens can be sliced. BUT one resident highly recommended "Wynstan" brand screens as very tough. Commentary: ► S-T's BofA suffered a very natural-looking illegal "skimmer" frame for one ATM, complete with lighting, covertly installed. Skimmers capture passcodes by watching finger taps, so always cover the keypad with your other hand. That skimmer is now long gone. but they'll keep coming to ATMs, cash machines, gas stations, etc. ► RVs on McGroarty RVs are leaking...something! Residents should notify LA City Sanitation by phone or the MyLA311 app. Ricardo also reported it, and Sanitation trucks will arrive to pump and, if required, seal them! ► A homeless man entered a Riverwood back yard, but had left upon patrol’s arrival. ► External lights and gear and were stolen during a 2am truck break-in on Sherman Grove. SLO Godoy will request more patrols there. ► Foothill Division's Community-Police Advisory Board (C-PAB) is looking for volunteers. ► A crime prevention meeting for businesses followed at Foothill Station at 11:30 that day. ► Please Copy and Save These Vital LAPD Contacts! ◄ Tujunga: Temporary SLO Ester Alvarado:

Sunland: SLO Wil Godoy:

Traffic Officer: Sal Venegas:

Foothill Captain: Marco Lozano:

Community Relations Ofc: Sgt. Jesse Ojeda:

LAPD Volunteers: Milton Ramírez:

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