West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission met Monday night to hear the latest crime and public safety updates from the Lt. Fanny Lapkin and Sgt. Jason Duron from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station, who gave a rundown of incidents across different districts in the city, the station’s efforts during National Night Out, and updates on high-profile cases.
Crime Statistics and District Breakdown
The Sheriff’s Department reported a total of 1,811 calls for service in July, with 66 of those being emergency responses. Deputies made 33 felony arrests and 64 misdemeanor arrests. There were 189 Part One crimes—serious offenses tracked nationally—with thefts comprising the majority. In terms of distribution, 58% of the incidents occurred in the West District, which accounted for 110 cases. The City Center had 37 cases (20%), while the East District reported 41 cases (22%).
Lapkin and Duron noted that pickpocketing incidents surged in July, with 37 reported cases in the Rainbow District. Additionally, the department provided newly requested data from the SORTS (Sheriff’s Online Reporting and Tracking System) and the MET (Mental Evaluation Team). SORTS had 80 submitted reports, while the MET responded to 50 calls involving proactive work to address street-level issues.
National Night Out and Community Involvement
The station reported a successful National Night Out, with deputies deployed at intersections and side streets to secure the main boulevard. The event had a large turnout, with minimal incidents requiring attention. However, some deputies had to be redirected to respond to major incidents in the city. Capt. Bill Moulder and other deputies attended various neighborhood block parties, fostering community engagement.
High-Profile Case Updates
The Sheriff’s Department highlighted two significant cases. The first involved an August 6 incident on Santa Monica Boulevard, where a minor traffic altercation escalated into a fatal assault. The suspect was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with murder. The second case revolved around a June 14 robbery on Gardner Street, where a struggle over a firearm resulted in a shot being fired. Detectives tracked down the suspect, leading to an arrest and charges of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, and attempted murder.
Community Concerns on Reporting and Safety
Commissioners raised several questions regarding how reports are handled, particularly in cases where individuals believe they’ve been drugged. The Sheriff’s Department representative explained the process: deputies take reports and collect urine samples for lab testing. The representative emphasized that if a victim feels their concerns are not addressed adequately, they have the right to speak to a supervisor.
Several commissioners expressed concern over reports of individuals feeling dismissed or inadequately attended to when filing complaints. Lapkin and Duron noted that deputies are trained to escalate issues if a victim is unsatisfied, and the department is exploring options like establishing a victim advocate program. This program would involve community volunteers trained to assist victims in navigating the reporting process.
Drug Testing and Investigative Tools
Questions also arose regarding the timeline for drug test results. The Sheriff’s Department representative clarified that urine test results typically take at least a month, due to the workload at the single lab handling such tests. While some bars use test strips to detect drugs in drinks, those tools are not applicable to urine testing, which requires specialized lab equipment. Commissioners suggested exploring at-home test kits and other tools to expedite the process.
Officer-Involved Shooting Update
The commission also inquired about the ongoing investigation into a July 20 officer-involved shooting on Gardner Street. The department reiterated that the case remains under review by multiple agencies, including the district attorney’s office, and no significant updates are available.
Victim Advocate Program and Future Initiatives
Commissioners expressed support for the proposed victim advocate program, which aims to train volunteers to assist individuals reporting crimes. The Sheriff’s Department is still in the planning stages, working on the curriculum and identifying trainers. The program is envisioned as a community-based effort to enhance support for victims and ensure they feel heard and respected.
Suggestions were made to involve the city in supporting this initiative, possibly through lived experience advisory boards. These groups, which exist in other municipalities, consist of individuals who have been victims of crime and provide feedback on how their cases were handled. The Sheriff’s Department is exploring such partnerships as they finalize the details of the advocate program.
Public Comments and Concerns
During the public comment period, resident Nick Roybal raised concerns about integrating the city’s Block by Block program more effectively, particularly in dealing with vulnerable populations in the Rainbow District. He highlighted a recent incident where a resident was robbed and assaulted near a fire station that lacked surveillance cameras. He also questioned the accountability for delivery robots when they cause disturbances, suggesting that the city should explore regulatory measures similar to those imposed on scooter companies.
Another public commenter, Louise E. Smith, asked for a breakdown of scooter citations, noting that most previous violations involved out-of-town riders. Although direct dialogue is not allowed during public comment, Lapkin and Duron later addressed the inquiry, stating that data on whether cited riders are locals or visitors is not routinely collected but may be something they can explore.
Future Engagement and Community Events
The commission also discussed the upcoming community policing account meeting, tentatively scheduled for November. This event, often used for recruitment, could be an opportunity to attract volunteers for the victim advocate program. The Sheriff’s Department is finalizing the training curriculum and expects to provide more details in the coming months.
Final Remarks and Resource Availability
As the meeting concluded, commissioners reiterated the importance of improving communication between the public and the Sheriff’s Department. Suggestions included posting more accessible resources in the station lobby, such as a “How to File a Police Report” guide. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed that some information is already available at the front desk and encouraged residents to contact the watch sergeant or email the station if they feel their concerns are not adequately addressed.
You seemed to have missed the real story of last night. The Fire Department admitted that the City has never asked for its’ input regarding the plan to reduce Fountain to one lane in each direction and they asked for an opportunity to see the plans. While this was an informal request, it will be interesting to see if staff gets the Fire Department’s income before further decisions on this project are made.
*input*, not income?