It's Not Your Backyard They're After

DON'T FALL for it, Atwater Villagers. LAPD's latest news on recent "distraction" burglaries:

On January 5th, 2011, two elderly distraction burglaries were reported, one in Elysian Valley and the other in Atwater Village.

In both incidents, a male suspect posing as a contractor accompanied the victims to their back yards to discuss wall repairs. While there, a second unknown suspect entered the victims homes and removed cash and jewelry.

The primary suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5'3" to 5'6", 185 to 200 lbs., 30 to 45 years old. The vehicle used is decscribed as a silver pick-up type truck.

Of course, report emergencies to 911, non-emergency police phone calls to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.

Crime Time! New Map Gives Locations of Violations

THE NEW-AND-IMPROVED LA Times crime map gives a quick glance at recent criminal activities in Atwater Village. For the week of Sept. 18-24, 2010, the rate of 5.8 crimes per 10,000 people in Atwater Village is higher than in nearby Elysian Valley, Glassell Park, Silver Lake and Los Feliz.

Location	Crime	Date and time
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 21, 2:15pm
4600 block of Brazil Street	Theft from vehicle	Sept 21, 11:30 am
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 20, 8:20 pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Grand theft auto	Sept 20, 5:00pm
3900 block of Glenfeliz Boulevard	Theft from vehicle	Sept 19, 8:10pm
Glendale and Revere	Robbery	Sept 19, 7:10pm
3500 block of Garden Avenue	Theft from vehicle	Sept 18, 7:30pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 18, 4:00pm
2900 block of Los Feliz Boulevard	Theft	Sept 18, 1:05pm

Check out the LA Times crime map for Atwater Village.

LAPD Advice for Atwater Village: "Keep Your Doors and Windows Locked at All Times"

THIS JUST IN from the Los Angeles Police Department's Senior Lead Officer Gina Chovan:

"I just wanted to send out a community announcement regarding increase police presence as well as police perimeters in the Atwater Village communities. Northeast gang units have been conducting enforcement due to increase of gang activity in the area.

"The good news is that after several gang operations, multiple local gang members were taken into custody pending Firearm violations. I can not disclose details at this time due to the ongoing investigations.

"I do want to remind folks that it is important that you keep your doors and windows locked at all times. As these gang members flee on foot they may attempt to enter through open windows and doors that are unlocked.

"I also want to caution folks that if you see police activity in your area involving the police helicopter hoovering over property, stay inside your homes."

• Emergency call 911
• City-wide directory 311
• Non-emergency 1-877-ASK-LAPD

Many neighbors have noticed increased police presence lately, especially helicopters in the wee hours of the night. How is it on your block?

(On the other hand, at least, graffiti has been reduced by 75%!)

Arrest at Del Taco Parking Lot

AN EAGLE-EYED READER reports: "Hey Newbie, I just passed by the Chevron Gas Station on Los Feliz today [April 22] around 7:45pm. I saw a police crackdown. I saw a Latino getting arrested in the Del Taco parking lot [3020 Los Feliz Blvd]. Unfortunately I could not take a picture because it was dark." First Sunnynook Drive, then Glenfeliz Blvd., now a fast-food joint on Los Feliz Blvd. Increased LAPD presence? Or just more obvious?

On Camera: More LAPD Action in Atwater Village

JUST A WEEK after dozens of officers took over Sunnynook Drive, yesterday a reader caught a more limited LAPD action just around the corner on Glenfeliz Blvd., sending along photos and this eyewitness account:

"Newbie, around 3:35pm today [April 21] I drove by this arrest and car search going on on the corner of Glenfeliz and Ingledale Terrace. The guy was cuffed sitting on the side of the road with tattoos on his neck and looked Hispanic with a thin mustache. Not sure what he did but for the cops to search his car they must have had probable cause. Thought you might like to know... At least the cops are doing something!"

See something our Atwater Village neighbors should know? Send it to the Newbie, atwatervillagenewbie@gmail.com.

Northeast LA: Lock Your Doors, Windows, Bicycles

DUAL WARNINGS tonight from Northeast division of the Los Angeles Police Department:

• During recent review of "Hot Prowl" burglaries in the areas of Los Feliz, Franklin Hills, Silverlake and East Hollywood, it was determined that burglary suspects entered several homes during early hours of the morning (2:00am to 3:30am). The burglars entered while home owners were at home sleeping. Victims were awaken by noises in their homes and actually confronted suspects as they fled from their residents. The method used to enter the homes were open garages, open windows and open sliding doors. We strongly recommend that you check your windows and doors prior to going to sleep.
• The bicycle thefts are still occurring. Suspects are removing bikes from open garages and cutting chained locks. Please keep them in locked homes and garages.

As always, report emergencies to 911, non-emergencies to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.

More Photos from LAPD Raid on Sunnynook Drive

IN THE CHAOS of yesterday's Los Angeles Police Department raid on Sunnynook Drive yesterday, I managed to snap a few photos:

• 3 plainclothes officers subdue a suspect at Griffith View and Sunnynook. Suspect seems to be resisting. Hasn't watched much TV, apparently.
• Uniformed cops walk suspect up Sunnynook
• Staging area, Valleybrink & Sunnynook

Eventually at least 6 suspects were lined up, seated, in cuffs. Though another witness said, "the handcuffs were removed and they all just wandered off through the neighborhood." Sunnynook was closed for at least an hour while neighbors looked on. See all my photos of the raid.

Major Police Action on Sunnynook Drive This Afternoon: My Eyewitness Account

WHAT LOOKED a raid that started with plain-clothes officers subduing at least 2 suspects turned into a complete takeover of Sunnynook Drive in central Atwater Village today by dozens of Los Angeles Police Department officers. It happened suddenly, this afternoon just before 6:00pm, involving undercover vehicles, LAPD cruisers and helicopter support.

And guess what house was at the center of the action? Yup, the so-called Sunnynook Meth House, the same one police raided back in summer 2007.

Your humble Newbie was there, unintentionally, literally caught in the middle, driving up Sunnynook when one undercover officer brandished his weapon and told me not to move, lest my vehicle get in the way of an arrest in progress. (More of my photos here.)

Could this finally mean the end of the Sunnynook Meth House menace?

UPDATE: Other eyewitnesses counted 13 LAPD units and, 3 hours later, saw a half dozen more arrests elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Sirens, Helicopter Respond to Accident, I-5 at Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village

LAFD reports traffic accident with possible fatality, 10:54pm, southbound I-5 at Glendale Blvd. in Atwater Village. "Major traffic blocking all lanes, 4 patients total, 2 kids (6-year-old girl with burns), CPR on one of the patients." Rescue vehicles and helicopters converge after 11:00pm. Southbound I-5 issued SigAlert, lane closures north of Fletcher Drive, 11:29pm. Glendale Blvd. on-ramp also closed. Blow by blow from SigAlert.com:

• Green BMW Possible in #2 Lane 10:32 PM
• Reporting Party Called to Advise His Vehicle Was Blocking Lanes and to Ascertain If Assistance Was En Route 10:51 PM
  
• Party Was Holding for Spanish Translator; Sound Like Vehicle May Have Been Hit, Line Went Dead 10:53 PM
• Vehicle Has now Been Hit 10:54 PM
• Message Delivered LA Fire Department 10:54 PM
  
• CHP Unit on Scene 11:00 PM
• Possible Fatality 11:02 PM
• All Lanes Closed for now 11:03 PM
• CHP Unit on Scene 11:04 PM
• CHP Unit on Scene 11:22 PM
• CHP Unit on Scene 11:23 PM
• Glendale On Ramp Will Be Closed for Unknown Duration 11:26 PM
• Sigalert for All Lanes with Traffic Only Getting Thru in #1 Lane for Unknown Duration 11:26 PM
• #1, 2 Lanes Open 12:21 AM
  

UPDATE 12:12am: LAFD offers news on the 4 patients: 40-year-old female in cardiac arrest, 35-year-old male in serious condition with possible head injury and burns, 6-year-old female with leg burns. All transported to hospitals. 22-year-old male, minor injuries, not transported.

Video of Police Chase in Atwater Village: March 30

THIS INTREPID videographer captures a police chase in Atwater Village, as it passes the post office at Glendale Blvd. and La Clede Ave. on March 30. Not sure whom they're chasing, other than someone who saw fit to jump off a motorcycle and try to escape on foot.

Crime Fighting Weekend in Atwater Village

SEVERAL REPORTS of police action in Atwater Village this past weekend, March 13 and 14. Witnesses at The Griffin saw 8 police cruisers at Los Feliz and Brunswick. Then, helicopters early Sunday morning and late Sunday evening. Anything to do with that bizarre pillar of sparks on the LA River around 1:00am Sunday? Spring ahead, indeed. More discussion on the Atwater Village forum.

Northeast LA Burglary Ring Busted! Us Next?

CONGRATS TO our neighbors in Eagle Rock and Highland Park for getting on the good end of the nightstick. From LAPD Northeast Captain Bill Murphy:

"Last Friday I sent out a newsletter that described a very serious burglary problem we were experiencing in Eagle Rock and Highland Park. We have been working this problem very hard and on Friday night we arrested one suspect. On Saturday we arrested the second suspect and recovered property taken from some of the burglaries. We are also working the fence that was responsible for selling the stolen property.

"So far we have tied 20 plus crimes to them (burglaries, robberies, and thefts). Should clear up crime in this area."

Any chance this crime-fighting wave will trickle across the freeway into Atwater Village? We've endured some 30 burglaries, robberies and thefts in this neighborhood since the beginning of 2010.

Saturday: Gunfire in South Atwater Village

A NEIGHBOR WRITES about yesterday's incident: "Shooting on Hollydale & Tyburn. Cops have the area blocked off, there are shell casings on the street. Any idea what's going on?"

Neighbors on the AVNC forum report: "About 15 rounds were shot into the house on the corner of Tyburn and Hollydale around 3:20pm [Jan. 30]."

What gives? Anyone hit? Is this gang-related? LAPD presence seemed heavier than normal Saturday evening, too, with patrol cars throughout the neighborhood.

Good News, Bad News for Atwater Village Crime in 2009

YEAR-END STATS from Northeast LAPD show mostly good news for 2009 crime rates in Atwater Village. Total crime was down 19.3 percent:

• Homicide: Down 66% (3 in 2008, 1 in 2009)
• Robbery: Down 57.8%
• Aggravated Assault: Down 21.1%
• Larceny: Down 6%
• Grand Theft Auto: Down 24%
• Theft from Vehicle: Down 27.5%

Police give some of the credit to the North Atwater Village takedown of the Toonerville gang in July 2009. The bad news?

• Rape: Even (1 in 2008, 1 in 2009)
• Burglary of Residence/Business: Up 6%

Watch Out for Those BFMVs, South Atwater Village

FROM THE LATEST Northeast Los Angeles Police Department newsletter: "Atwater Village: Very clear on north side above Glendale Blvd. A few BFMVs south of Glendale Blvd." No, this doesn't mean appearances by Welsh heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine. BFMV is cop talk for "burglary from motor vehicle." Stuff stolen from cars. See crime map of BFMVs in Atwater Village.

Patternless Crime in Atwater Village

FROM THE LATEST Northeast LAPD crime update: "Atwater Village: No patterns or trends - a few property crimes (car break-ins, residential burglary, etc.)" Of course to victims and neighbors of victims, it only takes one crime to make a pattern.

Cops Blocking, Circling: Armed Suspects on Run?

YOU MAY BE noticing quite a ruckus during this evening's rush hour in Atwater Village. News, as it comes in, from the Twitters:

• 6:13pm from AtwaterVillage: "Something afoot (and in air) on Revere Ave south of Los Feliz Blvd [Google Maps] ... cops blocking street & circling above"
  
• 6:31pm from Fixer: "I live on Revere south of Los Feliz Blvd, I hope my dog doesn't eat anyone while I am not there."
  
• 6:33pm from DougMcInnes: "Policed cordoned off a block of Brunswick, we talked to an officer and apparently there's a suspect running around possibly with a gun."
  
• 6:50pm from Wambat: "My wife went out to the store and the cops cordoned off Los Feliz and Brunswick. She can't get back home."
  
• 7:03pm from AtwaterVillage: "Cop copters still circling"
  
• 7:16pm from Fixer: "LAPD NE has confirmed, the perimeter is set up and they are searching for 2 armed and dangerous suspects"
  

Also tracking it on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council forum, where this report came at 9:02pm: "I called the precinct to see if they could tell me anything. They just said that there was an on-going investigation and to stay in my house. It went on for a long time ... so glad it's quiet again."

Latest Heat Wave is Atwater Village Burglary Wave

THE NORTHEAST DIVISION of the Los Angeles Police Department is warning Atwater Village about a rash of daytime residential burglaries in September. Most of them take place between 8:00am and 4:00pm. See the latest Atwater Village crime map.

In one burglary, suspects were seen knocking on a front door. When no one answered, suspects cut a rear window screen and entered through the window. In another, a resident was distracted while suspects entered the front door. Items stolen: checkbooks, mail, computers.

At this time LAPD detectives do not believe the incidents are related, or that all the suspects are working together, but they do have a few descriptions:

• Male Hispanic, 18-19 years old, 5'5" to 5'8" and 130-140 pounds
• Female Hispanic, 16-18 years old, 5'1" to 5'2" and 105-110 pounds
• Female Hispanic, 25 to 30 years old, 5'4" to 5'5" and 160 pounds
• Male Hispanic, 18-25 years old, 5'8" and 155 pounds

Burglaries occurred along Los Feliz, Madera, Atwater, Garden and Brunswick, so no part of Atwater Village is immune. Seems like a good time to make sure doors and windows are locked. Report emergencies to 911, other police matters to 1-877-ASK-LAPD.

New Website: Request Graffiti Removal in City of LA

TONIGHT I'M requesting graffiti removal via the new "self help" website from the City of Los Angeles, anti-graffiti.lacity.org.

I'm reporting huge, multiple scrawls on columns and walls on the northwest wall of the Glendale Blvd. bridge (Google map), the wall facing the LA River. They're likely only visible from river trails in Atwater Village, but still. It's a historic damn bridge! Show some pride! And let's see how long it takes the City to clean it up. Next, maybe Sunnynook Footbridge?

UPDATE: Already got this: "Your report has been assigned the following Service Request Number: 310893. You will be notified via e-mail when the contractor reports they have completed this request."

Garcetti's New Emphasis on North Atwater Village

FOLLOWING THE successful Toonerville gang raids in July, City Councilman Eric Garcetti has been focusing all kinds of love on North Atwater Village. This Wednesday was a "job readiness" workshop at Chevy Chase Park helping citizens figure out how to get construction jobs. And last Saturday morning saw a neighborhood walk where Garcetti's roving gang was repeatedly thanked for LAPD efforts to crack down on other less desirable roving gangs.