Tell City Council how you feel about public safety in WeHo

City Council will get a much-anticipated Public Safety Update at their meeting tonight, and the report will include recommendations by the Public Safety Commission that have raised eyebrows in recent months — most significantly, slashing 10 deputies from the Sheriff’s Department budget.

The proposal coincides with other measures that would repurpose public safety dollars into novel, non-traditional law enforcement programs, like the Behavior Crisis Response Team, which Council is also reviewing.

WeHo citizens, you are encouraged to give feedback on these matters by writing an email to [email protected] or joining the Zoom meeting at 6 p.m. tonight to share your thoughts directly with the Council.

FROM THE STAFF REPORT

AGENDA ITEM 4C

The City continues to be a safe place to live, visit, and work. Prior to the public health emergency, West Hollywood’s daily population typically more than doubled with the number of people who work and play here, and the current volume of activity has returned to almost pre-pandemic levels. The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station remains committed to collaborating with City officials, residents, and businesses to resolve community concerns. Sheriff’s personnel have continued to focus their efforts on neighborhood patrols and maintaining the quality of life for the community. Sheriff’s personnel, staff, and the Public Safety Commission regularly examine crime statistics to identify problem areas and adjust resource deployment as appropriate. The Station has continued to utilize both bicycle and foot patrols to supplement traditional vehicle patrols. 

Part 1 Crime increased 51% for July through December 2021 versus July through December 2020. This increase and the other significant increases across all crime categories are somewhat skewed because July – December 2020 produced the lowest Part 1 Crime totals for that time period in the City’s history due to pandemic related business and club closures. In fact, Part 1 Crime numbers for July – December 2021 are very close to pre-pandemic numbers. Armed robbery, aggravated assaults, grand theft, and other burglaries do have increases above normal levels and due to their serious nature, they deserve further explanation. 

Armed Robbery (36 incidents) increased significantly as West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and the Hollywood area of Los Angeles were targeted by organized robbery crews targeting victim’s wearing high-end watches and handbags. These instances are dubbed follow-home-robberies because the victims are spotted at nice clubs and restaurants and then followed home by the suspects, these robberies remain a top priority of station personnel. Aggravated assaults (86 incidents) were really impacted by an unusually high number of assaults involving persons experiencing homelessness (24 incidents). The sharp increase in grand thefts (232 incidents) is the result of cell phones and wallets being pickpocketed from nightclub patrons (115 incidents). Cell phones have become more expensive, and most of them surpass the $950 Grand Theft threshold. The other burglary category, which is comprised primarily of commercial burglaries and burglaries to apartment complex subterranean parking garages and mailrooms, increased due to multiple serial mail thieves repeatedly hitting vulnerable apartment complexes with unsecured mailrooms. Even with the recent increases in those serious crimes, it must be pointed out that West Hollywood’s crime numbers are primarily driven by grand theft, petty theft, and vehicle burglary. Those three categories account for 57% of all Part 1 Crime in West Hollywood. 

Implementation of Eastside Block by Block Kiosk 

In November 2021, a new eastside kiosk location was added at the intersection of La Brea Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard. This kiosk has been received well by the community and serves as a deterrent to crime. Residents as well as guests who come to visit the area have stopped by to ask questions, ask for information, or just leave a thankful comment for the ambassadors. The operating hours are from 11 AM – 6 PM, and Security Ambassadors have seen a decrease in nuisance activity during that time. A monthly update is given to the Public Safety Commission, and efforts continue to alert residents and visitors to Block by Block’s resources. 

Concerns Regarding Criminal Report Taking 

There have been complaints regarding West Hollywood Station personnel discouraging residents from filing criminal reports. Captain Ed Ramirez and his supervisory staff have briefed all station personnel on the issues with reporting, including sharing specific examples and complaints with Deputies. This includes offering re-training when appropriate and emphasizing sensitive/critical reports such as sexual assaults. In addition, the West Hollywood Station is not assigning overtime personnel to the desk where calls are answered at this time, and any overtime personnel from other areas working the field are briefed by West Hollywood personnel. 

Promoting Justice and Equity in Policing 

The City of West Hollywood has a long history of promoting justice and equity by utilizing creative solutions and funding robust social services to support residents. While the number of patrol Deputies has decreased over the last 20 years (67 to 60 sworn officers), there have been significant increases in civilian security teams (Block by Block and PACWEST), code compliance staffing, and contracted social service agencies. Residents and businesses have expressed concerns with traffic, parking, homelessness, and quality of life issues, similar to what was reported in the public safety outreach and survey in 2016; so the City uses a combination of law enforcement, civilian public safety, code compliance, and social services to address these overlapping concerns. Staff from multiple departments have been working with the Public Safety Commission to provide input on current and possible programs and policies to promote justice and equity in policing. In addition, the City Manager is leading an effort to create a Community Safety Plan. This plan will be much broader that just traditional public safety. 

Center for Policing Equity – Data Study 

City staff and LASD personnel have partnered with the Center for Policing Equity (CPE) to conduct a study of West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station’s data. The primary areas of study by CPE include use of force, vehicle stops, and pedestrian stops in order to then make recommendations on how to improve equity and service to the West Hollywood community. Currently, the transfer of test data as well as a three year sample are complete. CPE has begun their analysis and meets monthly with staff and LASD personnel. CPE representatives gave a brief update at the September 2021 Public Safety Commission meeting. Also in September 2021, CPE launched the Justice Navigator – an interactive digital platform that provides community members and law enforcement agencies with the analyses, policy insights, and other tools they need to monitor and redesign public safety in their own communities. The Justice Navigator can be accessed at policingequity.org. 

Partnering Mental Health Clinicians with Deputies / MET, VMET, and The Tarzana Treatment Center 

Over the last few years, the amount of sworn law enforcement personnel has decreased, however a City funded Mental Evaluation Teams (MET) was added, and funding for civilian security teams (Block by Block and PACWEST) and civilian social services outreach patrols to assist persons experiencing homeless have been increased. 

MET includes a specialized Deputy and a mental health civilian clinician and is part of the County’s future plans to reduce the jail population. MET diverts clients away from jail in the field and at booking counters Countywide which supports the County’s roadmap for change with emphasis on: “Care First, Jails Last.” As such, in its 2020 report, the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Workgroup recommended the County “substantially increase the number of co-response teams” (Recommendation #45). In its early report, the ATI Workgroup deferred to the Civilian Oversight Commission study with regard to the actual minimum number needed (60 teams). 

The vast majority of individuals encountered by MET are diverted away from the criminal justice system. MET is uniquely involved in proactively seeking to divert even more arrestees away from jail with its newest initiative: “Intake Booking Diversion” (IBD) program. Whenever an arrestee is taken to a Sheriff’s Station jail, and it is discovered the person suffers from mental illness, the MET Triage Desk must be notified. MET will then send a team (if available) to evaluate the individual for suitability of discontinuing the booking and instead allowing MET to transport the individual to a mental health and/or substance use treatment facility. MET has partnered with the Centers for Court Innovation who won a federal grant to act as the third-party researcher to evaluate the effectiveness of the new MET IBD program for possible replication elsewhere, potentially even nationwide, by other police agencies. 

The West Hollywood MET team has forged effective partnerships with several of the City’s contracted social services providers and the homeless navigators at Cedars Sinai to strengthen the safety net for those West Hollywood community members who are experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, or who are at risk for homelessness. The specially trained deputy sheriff and the DMH-licensed mental health clinician are trained to evaluate, and if necessary, authorized to initiate acute psychiatric holds, in accordance with the Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC), section 5150 or 5585. The MET unit provides housed and unhoused community members with mental health support, crisis intervention, and appropriate psychiatric placement, substance use treatment, and mental health linkages through the new initiative Outpatient Outreach Treatment (OTT) program when needed. In the last two years, the City of West Hollywood has benefitted from this locally serving MET unit, which allowed for rapid response to community members in crisis. Compared to the regional-serving County-operated MET units’ average response time of 18 minutes, the West Hollywood MET unit averaged a response time of 8 minutes. Additionally, when the MET unit arrived on scene and patrol deputies had rendered the situation safe, the MET unit relieved an average of 3 Deputies and 1 Sergeant who could then return to the field and be available to respond to other incidents in West Hollywood. This local availability and rapid response led to measurable, positive impacts for the community. During July – December 2021, the contracted West Hollywood MET Team responded to 156 calls from West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and evaluated 74 people experiencing a mental health crisis. Of these 74 individuals, 32 adults were involuntarily hospitalized by MET to receive mental health treatment while 42 individuals did not meet acute psychiatric hospitalization criteria. The MET unit prevented the use of force in 14 interactions between Sheriff’s Deputies and community members; MET’s interventions prevented civilian and deputy injuries in which each incident could have led to trauma, civil claims, lawsuits, disability leave and loss of administrative time. Two (2) West Hollywood constituents living with severe and persistent mental health illness were referred to a specialized County-funded intensive case management program (RAMP) to meet their underlying mental health needs and reduce reoccurrence of chronic calls for use of 911-level services. MET referred 13 individuals to the Outpatient Outreach Treatment (OTT) program for mental health services. MET also referred 2 individuals each to the Tarzana Treatment Center and Jewish Family Services. 

The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station now has access to the services of “VMET”. VMET is a new program of the Veterans Administration at the Federal Enclave and serves veterans who may be experiencing mental health issues. West Hollywood veterans are eligible to receive assistance from VMET and to be connected with the specialized services they need and deserve. VMET will coordinate with our Station’s personnel, especially our MET team, to assist our veteran residents in need and hopefully help them find long term housing and care. The City’s Strategic Initiatives and Social Services staff will work in partnership with MET, and now also VMET, as needed. 

The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station has a MOU with Tarzana Treatment Centers to provide opportunities for those charged with issues related to substance use to access substance abuse treatment/recovery programs at Tarzana. In addition to providing a needed service, this program creates a pathway for diversion from the criminal justice system. The Community Impact Team (COPPS and EPT) also conduct CARE Outreach Homeless Operations (Contact, Assist, Resources, Enforcement). Deputies from the teams conduct outreach to people experiencing homelessness in our community and offer resources and help. 

Collaboration Between Social Services and Law Enforcement 

The City of West Hollywood, through its Social Services Division, contracts with the following Homeless, Substance Abuse Treatment, Mental Health, LGBT and HIV/AIDS Services organizations to provide support and resources for the City’s unhoused community members. As of October 2021, these organizations had completed the second year of the Social Services 2019-22 contract cycle. Service provision continued to be impacted as a result of maintaining compliance with L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) COVID-19 health and safety protocols. 

Despite the challenges, teams from Ascencia, Step Up on Second, and the Los Angeles LGBT Center continued to conduct street outreach to homeless community members, utilizing PPE and social distancing protocols. Case management and related programming also continued by phone, email, and virtual platforms whenever possible. As access to vaccinations increased, so too has in-person case management and other needed services. 

Step Up On Second – The City funds a dedicated West Hollywood Mobile Interdisciplinary Team (MIT) to provide specialized street-based services to chronically homeless community members, as well as those with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. Street outreach has continued through the pandemic, utilizing PPE and social distancing protocols. The WeHo-MIT includes a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), a substance abuse counselor, a housing navigator, peer advocates, service coordinators, and a psychiatrist. Between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, Step Up on Second’ s MIT successfully assisted 6 West Hollywood community members in securing permanent housing. 

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Mental Health Services – The City funds the Mental Health Clinician outreach position to assist the homeless services outreach teams with critical outreach activities, including crisis intervention, counseling and support services, and linkage to The Center’s substance abuse treatment programs. The primary objective is to connect homeless community members who have mental health challenges with needed services. Between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, the Mental Health Clinician conducted 88 outreach encounters and completed 32 psycho-social assessments with homeless community members. 

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP) – City funds cover Outreach, Intake and Assessment, Training and Technical Assistance, and Case Management for Transgender community members, some of whom are unhoused and engaging in survival sex work. Case Management Services consist of updating legal documents to include name and gender marker change, criminal records expungement, and referrals for other needed legal services provided at The Center. Between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021 6 Intakes and Assessments had been completed with 4 of those individuals receiving case management services. 

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Services – City funding supports Outreach, Intake and Assessment, and Shelter (both emergency and transitional). Between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the Center placed 7 youth experiencing homelessness into stable housing. 

Ascencia — City funding provides a dedicated street outreach team and access to up to ten shelter beds. Between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, Ascencia successfully placed 11 community members into housing. 

APLA Health – The HIV Specialist accompanies the City’s contracted street outreach teams in engaging homeless community members living with or at-risk for HIV. Between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, the HIV Specialist had conducted 61 outreach contacts and successfully completed 16 Intakes and Assessments. 

Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) – TTC has a MOU and works with the Sheriff’s Department to provide opportunities for individuals charged with issues related to substance use to access treatment/recovery programs at TTC. Tarzana Treatment Center Outreach staff regularly conducts outreach with Homeless Services organizations and independently. Outreach staff distribute City provided supplies to community members while engaging to talk about substance use and treatment. Agency staff also continue to work with other Social Service providers to ensure that West Hollywood community members have access to treatment services and participates in Being Alive‘s syringe services program. 

In response to better serve the needs of homeless transgender community members living with HIV, the City began a contract with TransLatin@ Coalition in October 2019. Between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, the TransLatin@ Coalition has conducted 154 outreach contacts and 19 transgender and non-binary community members have received Peer Case Management services. 

Finally, the City’s Strategic Initiatives Division has coordinated the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency supplies to our agencies and the Sheriff’s (COPPS, MET, etc.) for people experiencing homelessness in West Hollywood. These items were purchased from the City’s allocation of Westside Cities COG/Measure H funds as well as donations to the “Real Change” parking meter program. 

Body Worn Cameras 

All patrol personnel currently have body worn cameras at West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, and the program has been fully functional since October 2020. This new program has been running smoothly, and Deputies have seamlessly incorporated the body worn cameras into their duties which promotes Deputy accountability. The cameras have also assisted with resolving public complaints and incidents which could lead to administrative investigations and deterred uncooperative behavior during law enforcement interactions with the public. It is also providing additional information for Deputy evaluation, training, and areas of improvement needed. 

Supporting Broader Los Angeles County and National Efforts 

The Public Safety Commission and the City are supporting broader efforts such as the Alternatives to Incarceration Work Group (Care First, Jail Last) and efforts of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission and the Office of the Inspector General. The City also supports the pledge in response to the call issued by President Obama to commit to action to address police use of force policies, and staff participate in regular Obama Foundation meetings. The City works with our partners at the West Hollywood Sheriff Station and Block by Block to promote local policing that is sensitive to the specific needs and values of the West Hollywood community. The City also supports training and policies that includes de-escalation and peaceful conflict resolution. City staff from multiple divisions and departments are participating in discussions on reimagining policing with groups like GARE (Government Alliance on Race and Equity), My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, the US Conference of Mayors, and others. 

Public Safety Commission’s Recommendations to the City Council regarding Public Safety Funding Priorities 

At its February meeting, the Public Safety Commission discussed public safety funding and identified priorities to be shared with the West Hollywood City Council. Commissioners took the following actions: 

ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Oliver to recommend to the City Council to identify the Behavioral Health Crisis Unit and appropriate dispatch resources as a funding priority, seconded by Vice-Chair Roshay and approved.

ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Soon-Shiong to recommend to the City Council to reduce the Sheriff’s Department contract by $3,200,000 or 10 deputies, seconded by Commissioner Oliver, and approved with Chair Berger and Commissioner Balbone voting no. 

ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Oliver to recommend to the City Council that Block by Block be a funding priority, seconded by Commissioner Hallman, and approved. 

ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Balbone to recommend to the City Council that safety and ALPR cameras be a funding priority, seconded by Commissioner Roman, and approved with Chair Berger, Vice-Chair Roshay, and Commissioner Soon-Shiong abstaining. Chair Berger, Vice-Chair Roshay, and Commissioner Soon-Shiong abstained because they felt they did not have enough information at this point, including who would have ownership of the data. 

Measures to Increase Community Resilience 

The City Council directed staff to discuss community resilience measures in place and to determine additional policies and programs that may be beneficial to the City. An initial staff meeting has been held to begin to gather existing policies and to determine next steps. Public Safety and Economic Development staff will be reaching out to the Chamber and businesses to provide emergency preparedness and recovery information and to encourage the development of business continuity and resiliency plans where needed. The Economic Development Department will be evaluating the feasibility and necessity of business interruption insurance for the City. 

Reimagining Neighborhood Watch 

The City Council directed staff to reimagine the City of West Hollywood’s Neighborhood Watch program, to explore alternative models that incorporate quality of life and neighborhood livability concerns, and to outreach to the City’s Neighborhood Watch Groups and Public Safety Commission to get their input and feedback. The City of West Hollywood’s Neighborhood Watch program began in 1985 when the City was incorporated. The program was introduced as a way for residents and community members to forge relationships with City staff, law enforcement, and their neighbors. In coordination with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, Neighborhood Watch Groups report and disseminate information on issues that may be of concern to their community. 

The National Neighborhood Watch program aims to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a nation-wide effort to reduce crime and improve local communities. The intention of Neighborhood Watch is to provide raised neighborhood awareness about public safety issues and to develop a partnership with law enforcement through shared information, observation, and reporting of anything 

suspicious. The primary goal is crime prevention and empowering citizens to become active in community efforts. Locally, in West Hollywood, the program has expanded beyond crime prevention and public safety to include a wide range of quality-of-life issues as well. 

There are currently over 20 Neighborhood Watch Groups throughout the city. A Neighborhood Watch Group is formed when concerned residents from a geographical area or neighborhood are interested in resolving a particular issue or addressing a concern. Although public safety is the primary focus, groups regularly invite City staff to provide updates on projects and programming that may have a direct impact on the neighborhood. In addition to West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station personnel and the City’s Public Safety Department, staff from the City’s Code Compliance Division, Strategic Initiatives Division, and Public Works Department are frequently asked to attend Neighborhood Watch meetings. 

Some Neighborhood Watch Groups are more active than others and hold regular meetings. There are groups that have updated mailing lists that choose to disseminate neighborhood news through email updates instead of holding meetings. Due to COVID-19, throughout the 2020 and 2021 calendar year, Neighborhood Watch Group meetings and events were suspended, and groups were encouraged to conduct meetings virtually. In August 2021, the City permitted Neighborhood Watch Groups to participate in the 37th annual National Night Out event and a few outdoor events were held. 

The City Council has directed staff to reimagine the City’s Neighborhood Watch program to reflect the community’s interests, which includes public safety concerns, but also includes neighborhood livability issues such as traffic, parking, mobility, code compliance, environment, and civic and social engagement. 

There are other cities that are exploring alternative models to the long-established Neighborhood Watch program. In 2019, the City of Portland’s Office of Community and Civic Life, which handles civic engagement, rebranded the program that coordinates Neighborhood Watch, and changed its name from “Crime Prevention Program” to “Community Safety”. In addition, the Neighborhood Watch Program was renamed to “Neighbors Together,” with a central focus to divest from the traditional Neighborhood Watch model and move towards supporting neighbors and groups to organize and be better prepared to address a wide range of neighborhood issues. 

West Hollywood residents involved in Neighborhood Watch have shown an interest in a myriad of issues that extend beyond public safety. A reimagined Neighborhood Watch Program will provide an opportunity for residents to build relationships with each other and with City staff and public safety partners, support a sense of community and belonging, and affirm the City’s commitment to increasing community resilience efforts. 

The hope is that this reimagining will encourage increased neighborhood participation, community building, and stakeholder engagement in addition to safer neighborhoods. Staff will outreach to the City’s existing Neighborhood Watch Groups and to the Public Safety Commission to get their initial input and feedback on a program at the April meeting. 

Code Compliance 

The Code Compliance Division (Division) works with residents and businesses, Public Safety personnel, the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, and other partnering agencies in order to protect the public health and safety in the community. By means of information, education, and the Administrative Remedies program, Code Compliance staff enforces the City’s Municipal Code. The Division also oversees the Animal Care and Control services contract and administers the City’s regulatory Business License Program and other permitting processes. 

Code Compliance and West Hollywood Sheriff Station personnel continue to work in partnership to promote neighborhood livability and address the various quality of life issues that regularly impact the West Hollywood community, including but limited to, impacts from noise, commercial operations, vacant properties, vacation rentals, construction, anti-scavenging, dogs off leash, and illegal vending. Impacts from commercial establishments are addressed proactively by Code Compliance and Sheriff personnel who actively patrol every night and work in collaboration with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to educate businesses and prevent alcohol related issues from occurring.