The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department presented their report on activities in West Hollywood during October for the Public Safety Commission at their meeting Monday night.
The report started with an explanation of the new data presentation format, which had been adjusted in response to previous feedback for clearer understanding and more detailed breakdowns of various categories. This new format was intended to provide more comprehensive information on different topics and areas.
The basic data from October included 1,792 calls for service to the station, with 47 felony arrests and 80 misdemeanor arrests. There were 237 Part 1 crimes reported in West Hollywood for the month. The department highlighted an increase in thefts, particularly pickpocketing and vehicle burglaries. They advised the public to be vigilant, especially in entertainment venues like bars and clubs, and to avoid leaving valuables visible in vehicles, even in residential or commercial parking structures, to deter opportunistic thieves.
Volunteers at the station contributed 247 hours in October, with 70.5 of those hours dedicated to special events within the city. The report also included notable incidents from the month:
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon (October 9th): Occurred on the 7700 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, where a patron, after being ejected for causing a disturbance, returned with a gun and shot the security guard. The guard was hospitalized, and the suspect was arrested at the scene.
- Assault with a Metal Pipe (October 15th): An unhoused individual in a parking garage on the 7700 block of Norton struck a person with a metal pipe when asked to leave. The suspect was arrested nearby.
- Burglary and Assault on Deputy (October 19th): Following a burglary on the evening of October 19th, deputies located the suspects in a vehicle. During the pursuit, the suspects rammed their vehicle into a patrol car, injuring a deputy who was attempting to exit. The deputy was hospitalized in serious condition. The suspects initially escaped but were later identified and arrested. The injured deputy has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home.
- Community Academy Conclusion (October 18th): The year’s session of the Community Academy concluded with positive feedback, and several graduates are now in the process of becoming station volunteers.
- Halloween Carnival Success: The Halloween Carnival was successfully conducted in collaboration with the city, fire department, and Emergency Operations Bureau. Attendance was estimated between 100,000 to 200,000 people, with only four arrests made throughout the event.
The report concluded with an invitation for any questions regarding the October data or the new crime stat sheets provided.
FIRE HAZARDS ON SIERRA BONITA
The commission praised the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their effective handling of the Halloween event in West Hollywood, noting that it was a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, employees, and business owners. The commission then shifted focus to a concern about a vacant property at 1030 North Sierra Bonita. The property, surrounded by neighbors, has been a repeated concern due to the accumulation of dry rubbish and trees, posing a fire hazard to an adjacent apartment building housing nine units. The commission noted that this property has been a constant issue, requiring frequent visits by the Sheriff’s Department, Code Compliance, security ambassadors, and Fire Station 7.
The sheriffs acknowledged the concern and agreed to check the status of any existing code enforcement case related to the property. They explained that properties can pose a variety of challenges, especially if the owner is absentee or if intermittent issues occur. The response emphasized the importance of confirmed calls for service in building a case for code enforcement actions. Such calls, whether they involve law enforcement or fire department responses, provide crucial data to pursue legal options and administrative processes like public nuisance abatement or criminal/civil complaints. However, they cautioned that these processes are lengthy and require substantial documentation and proof to present in court.
The commission expressed the neighbors’ desire to have the property boarded up, citing another nearby property managed by the same developer, which had been demolished and secured. The commission questioned how to compel the developer to secure the property at 1030 North Sierra Bonita similarly.
VACANT PROPERTY PROBLEMS
The sheriffs responded by detailing the process under the vacant property ordinance, which allows the city to order security measures, including 24/7 guards. However, they noted that meeting the threshold for such measures is challenging and often contested by property owners, leading to appeals and potential court proceedings. They explained that while boarding or fencing might not effectively prevent trespassing, on-site security is a more effective deterrent. Nonetheless, they admitted that there is a high threshold to justify such security measures legally. The officials committed to reviewing the situation and consulting with the city attorney’s office to ensure a strong legal case if action is pursued. The commission thanked the officials for their response and looked forward to a follow-up on the matter.
NEW DATA
Commissioner Brandon Blau thanked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their updated report, particularly appreciating the effort put into the traffic statistics category. He then asked for clarification on the traffic statistics, specifically the difference between total traffic reports and the detailed items tabulated below. The response clarified that a standalone traffic report typically involves just vehicle collisions, without pedestrians or bicyclists involved. This helped the commissioner understand the data better.
VEHICLE THEFS
Blau also inquired about the high number of thefts from motor vehicles, particularly catalytic converter thefts. The department confirmed that while catalytic converter thefts were a significant part of these statistics, there were also other vehicle parts involved. The commissioner wondered if there was a correlation between the timing of etching clinics for catalytic converters and the decline in thefts. The department acknowledged that these clinics, while not entirely stopping thefts, serve as a deterrent.
The commissioner expressed appreciation for the proactive traffic monitoring by sheriff deputies, noting its importance for pedestrian safety and neighborhood livability.
TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Commissioner Adam Eramian posed an additional question regarding the use of city-installed cameras, specifically red LED cameras and license plate readers, and whether their statistics, such as hits or arrests made from these tools, would be included in future reports. The department explained the complexity of correlating camera hits with arrests or recovered vehicles due to limitations in the computer systems’ communication. They mentioned that while they could provide the number of hits from these cameras, it doesn’t directly translate into arrests or vehicle recoveries. The department confirmed that the cameras were beneficial, leading to several arrests, but noted the challenges in pursuing every hit, such as safety concerns during high-speed pursuits.
ANTISEMITIC VANDALISM AND THREATS
Commissioner George Nickle brought up concerns regarding anti-Semitic graffiti incidents in West Hollywood, specifically on Sunset Boulevard. He inquired about any suspects or connections to similar incidents. The response indicated that when deputies investigated the reported location, they could not find any graffiti. Therefore, no suspects were identified, and it was unclear if the incident was connected to other similar occurrences.
Nickle also expressed concern about increased tensions following attacks by Hamas on Israel, seeking reassurance about the safety measures in place for the Jewish community in the area. The sheriffs assured that, in response to these tensions, there had been an increase in foot patrols and checks around Jewish community centers, schools, and other relevant locations. The management of these places had been contacted, and the community was encouraged to report any suspicious activities.
HIGH-PROFILE THEFTS
The conversation then shifted to recent robberies and burglaries, including a notable incident at La Boheme, where a safe was stolen. The sheriffs suggested that these burglaries might be connected to a crew active in 2019, operating not only in West Hollywood but also in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. There were several arrests made in Beverly Hills, but it was unclear if they were directly linked to the La Boheme incident.
Nickle also mentioned receiving notices about a Romanian robbery gang, including a woman involved in this operation who is accused of a high-profile heist involving Lily Collins’ wedding ring. The sheriffs confirmed that this group was part of a nationwide network involved in white-collar crimes like identity theft and property theft. They mentioned that law enforcement agencies across the state and nation share intelligence and communicate effectively to track and respond to these criminal activities. However, the female thief has not yet been apprehended.
WATCH CENTER
Nickle brought up the effectiveness of real-time watch centers and surveillance cameras, using the example of a murder suspect arrested in Beverly Hills due to such technology. He inquired whether similar technology in West Hollywood could aid in solving crimes ranging from graffiti to robberies and burglaries. The department representative agreed that these systems could be highly beneficial. They can capture details not visible to the naked eye, though they clarified that face recognition capabilities might not be as advanced. They also emphasized the importance of coordination with neighboring areas like Beverly Hills and LAPD since criminals do not recognize jurisdictional boundaries.
POINSETTIA PARK PROBLMES
The discussion then shifted to the issue of encampments at Poinsettia Park, a concern for West Hollywood residents due to its proximity. The sheriffs confirmed regular coordination with LAPD, especially with officers responsible for the area surrounding the park. Despite differences in city and county rules, efforts are being made to manage the situation, including citations and narcotics operations. They also mentioned that their deputies and community-oriented policing services (COPS) team regularly patrol the border areas to manage any potential overflow of issues into West Hollywood, offering social services where possible.
SCOT-FREE SCOOTERS
Commissioner Nickle also questioned the lack of e-scooter citations, noting their frequent use on sidewalks. The sheriffs explained the challenges in enforcing e-scooter regulations, primarily due to the mobility of scooters and the need for traffic units to witness violations directly. While acknowledging the possibility of conducting specific operations targeting e-scooter violations, they pointed out the limitations due to resource constraints and the fleeting nature of these infractions. They suggested that such an operation could be considered if it aligns with the city council’s priorities.
ALLEGED GANGS IN THE DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Joy Freiburg brought up concerns about the LA County Sheriff’s Department raised by a report from the Civilian Oversight Commission. The report detailed instances of deputy gangs and cliques within the department dating back to the 1970s, including allegations of egregious conduct, law violations, and excessive use of force. The commissioner listed several of these groups, such as The Regulators, Bandidos, Executioners, Cowboys, Vikings, Spartans, Reapers, Rattlesnakes, and Wayside Waitees, noting their associated tattoos and gestures.
Freiburg directly asked the representatives if they were aware of any members of these groups in the West Hollywood station. The response was a clear denial of the existence of such groups or members within the West Hollywood station. The representative emphasized that they could only speak for West Hollywood and, based on their knowledge and experience, there were no such groups or associated activities in their station.
OVERSIGHT
The conversation then turned to the topic of obtaining comments and complaints regarding the sheriff’s station. Freiburg inquired if information could be shared under SB 1421, the Right to Know Act, which involves serious use of force, sexual misconduct, or dishonesty in investigations. The sheriffs acknowledged that they had previously provided numbers on complaints and other related matters. They mentioned that while specific information could not be provided on a monthly basis due to the Sheriff’s Bill of Rights, the Department of Justice and the sheriff’s department website already provide this data.
UNDERSTAFFED DEPARTMENT
The discussion then focused was on the staffing levels of sworn officers at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. The representative from the Sheriff’s Department mentioned that they currently have 52 sworn officers for the city. However, two additional officers that have been added to patrol are not officially included in the contract due to a hiring freeze, attributed to over a thousand vacancies within the department.
Nickle pointed out that, based on FBI data showing an average of 2.4 sworn officers per thousand residents, West Hollywood, with an estimated population of 36,000, might ideally have about 88 sworn officers. This number does not account for the increased population during nightlife and weekends. The commissioner noted the challenges in law enforcement recruitment and retention, citing a conversation with an individual in Ithaca about the impact of public perception and political decisions on local law enforcement morale and staffing.
The discussion highlighted the nationwide issue of decreasing interest in law enforcement careers. Even with sufficient funding (hypothetically, a “blank check”), the department representative acknowledged the difficulty in reaching the ideal number of officers due to the broader challenges facing law enforcement recruitment.
Director Rivas then clarified that the city currently has a contract for 61 sworn officers with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, correcting the earlier figure mentioned. This clarification underscored the discrepancy between the current staffing level and the ideal number based on national averages. The conversation shed light on the complexities of law enforcement staffing, particularly in the context of changing societal attitudes and recruitment challenges.
And just 10 days later on Thanksgiving evening, the vacant property on Sierra Bonita burns to the ground.
Im so troubled by the calls for local data fusion centers from Mr Nickel… urban housing projects have had them for many years turning those areas into open air prisons. The illusion that such invasive surveillance infrastructure is for “the criminals” and won’t be used against “us” is incredibly naive.
“…based on FBI data showing an average of 2.4 sworn officers per thousand residents, West Hollywood, with an estimated population of 36,000, might ideally have about 88 sworn officers. This number does not account for the increased population during nightlife and weekends.”
We are so screwed.
The residents know it. We feel it. It’s just the council that has their head buried up their a**es that doesn’t realize it..or care…cause their extremist polices take precedent over public safety.
Nice thorough work, Mr Garcia.
Well appreciated.
What’s the plan for when the pro-Hamas mobs descend on West Hollywood? It’s only a matter of time before they come hunting the many Jews that live here.
That unfortunately is a considerably inflammatory statement.
Yeah, ain’t it?
Am I to assume you don’t know about Jew Hatred or are you just willfully ignorant? Don’t worry though, your obtuse statement’s meaning is not lost on me.