Thanks to all our neighbors who attended, and to Anita at Hallenbeck’s for again being our gracious host.
LAPD Senior Lead Officer John Catalano gave a detailed presentation about crime in the North Hollywood area, and what we can all do to keep our community safe and secure. Officer Catalano emphasized that while we continue to have one of the safest neighborhoods in NoHo, there have been problem areas nearby. In an economic environment where City resources are stretched thin, staying alert and communicative with your neighbors is key to keeping our community secure. Here are some specific suggestions:
- Advise your neighbors if you are going to be away from home for an extended period.
- If you see someone unknown hopping over a neighbor’s fence, peeking into windows or removing items from a home when you know your neighbor is at work or away, call 911 to report a burglary suspect. If you can, get a vehicle description with license number, and/or get a photograph with a cell phone or camera.
- If you see a suspicious vehicle and person(s) parked on your street for an extended period of time, take down the license number and/or photograph the vehicle and occupant(s) with a cell phone or camera. This info may be of great help in potential LAPD investigations, and can be forwarded to Officer Catalano via email: 32740@lapd.lacity.org
- If an unfamiliar vehicle with out-of-state or temporary plates is parked on your street for an extended period, take down the license number and/or photograph it and advise Officer Catalano via email.
- Do not store valuables such as cash, jewelry or credit cards in places where a thief might first look, like a counter or top dresser drawer. The harder you make it for a potential burglar to find your valuables, the more secure they will be.
- Never leave valuables in your car. It takes only seconds for a thief to break a window and steal them.
- If someone unknown knocks on your door, you do not have to open the door, but always verbally respond in some way. Thieves specifically look for unoccupied homes.
- Be wary of scam artists, and/or unknown individuals who try to lure you outside your home temporarily with a pretense. This could be someone in the guise of a sales person, a person asking for donations or accompanying a child to look for a lost pet. These are some of the ways scam artists and burglary teams operate. In general, use discretion when dealing with a stranger at your door.
- Refrain from leaving your garage door open and unattended for an extended period of time, even during daytime.
- Placing outside lights, motion detectors and alarm service signs on your property can also deter crime.
While we have streamlined the neighborhood communication process, there are concerns that some of our neighbors may not have access to the internet and email. If you have a neighbor who may be in that situation, please reach out to them or simply print out these messages for them. It will help bring the community together, keep us all safer and our homes more secure. Other City resources/contact info may be found here.
We also had tentative discussions about holding a community block party, possibly in April or May. If you have any suggestions, or would like to be involved in setting up such an event, please contact us at: Chandler_Park_NoHo@yahoo.com
Also note that email address is now the primary contact point for all questions, comments and suggestions regarding the neighborhood association.
Thanks again for all your support and encouragement!
