West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission confronted pressing traffic safety, Pride 2025 preparations, and local crime concerns at its May 12 meeting, driven by community input and Sheriff’s data. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported 1,767 April calls for service, including 183 Part 1 crimes and 34 pickpocketing incidents in the Rainbow District. Residents can file theft or vandalism reports without suspect details via lasd.org/sorts (54 submissions last month), though limited suspect information often restricts follow-up, primarily serving insurance needs. To prevent vehicle burglaries, Acting Captain Lapkin urged not leaving bags or purses visible in cars, a common trigger for April break-ins.
Traffic safety dominated discussions, with five vehicle-pedestrian and two vehicle-bicyclist collisions, four driver-at-fault for failing to yield. A May 5 hit-and-run at Fountain Avenue and Havenhurst seriously injured a pedestrian, prompting Sheriff’s calls for tips. On May 9, a dump truck rolled down Clark Street, hitting parked vehicles, an electrical pole, and Whiskey a Go Go, causing a power outage. Resident Kevin Burton, noting 20% of April’s pedestrian collisions near Fountain/Havenhurst, urged street redesigns, citing a city proposal. Victor Omelczenko reported a near-collision at Crescent Heights and Norton, praising Sheriff’s response but stressing enforcement. He also flagged concurrent Public Safety and Historic Preservation Commission meetings, limiting civic participation.
Commissioner Kelly Pilarski, citing a personal loss to a drunk driver, and resident Nick Roybal, honoring Braun Levy, killed by a DUI driver in Manhattan Beach, pushed for Vision Zero and Rainbow District anti-DUI campaigns, with seven April DUI arrests reported. Commissioner Catherine Eng advised pedestrians to avoid phone distractions to reduce collision risks. For families, LAPD West Traffic offers a free child car seat inspection on June 7 at 1663 Butler Avenue.
Local incidents underscored enforcement needs. A May 12 robbery on Larrabee at 4 p.m. led to a swift suspect arrest. A reported gunman incident outside Las Perlas, misreported on Nextdoor as inside, resulted in an arrest, clarifying east-side concerns. Sheriff’s staffing shortages, with smaller academy classes (50–60 vs. 120), challenge recruitment, impacting response capacity.
For Pride 2025 (May 30–June 1), Sheriff’s, Fire, and Block by Block outlined robust safety. Lapkin emphasized “see something, say something,” with bike patrols, undercover pedestrian enforcement for crosswalk violations, and alley closures inspired by New Orleans Mardi Gras lessons. Fire’s unified command ensures firefighter presence, noting potential alcohol-related calls over dumpster fires. Block by Block will deter unauthorized vendors (e.g., hot dog stands) and assist intoxicated individuals, building on last year’s efforts. Commissioners urged using the weekend trolley to avoid DUIs. A Kings Road Park ambassador assault, involving a thrown glass bottle, caused no serious injury, with Sheriff’s pressing charges.
The commission paused its drone-as-first-responder program over Sheriff’s flight recording concerns, with City Council discussion set for June 9, alongside homeless services talks. Residents can engage at the June 16 meeting.
