|
Hello to
our Beachwood Canyon neighbors!
First, I
would like to introduce myself to all of you. I am Beatrice
Girmala, the new Area Commanding Officer for Hollywood. In
addition to working here, I have lived in Hollywood my
entire life—and still do. I believe that truly helps in
understanding our challenges and making a personal
investment in our area. Rather than just passing through,
like an absentee landlord, I am connected and concerned. It
is my hope that as our relationship grows, you will find
that you have a friend and partner in me.
I would
like to update you on what has taken place throughout the
previous month. I will be tailoring this newsletter
specifically to your community group.
On the
second Monday of each month,
I will provide an overview and some specifics of interest.
To begin
with, some good news: Hollywood Area finished in the
number one spot for crime reduction in 2008, of all 19
geographic areas. The dedicated men and women who serve on
the streets and in our detective squad put forth their best
efforts in a directed approach to enhance community safety.
Of equal importance is the leadership of Senior Lead Officer
Mike Shea. I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike for many
years. We were also partners working patrol in the late
1980s in Hollywood. I am so proud to have him as an integral
member of the Hollywood team.
Our dual
focus on quality of life issues and targeting repeat
offenders through task force efforts proved to be a winning
combination. By identifying and tracking those who have
preyed on our streets, we are working smarter and with an
increased focus.
Identity
theft
still remains an area in which we can all be proactive.
Personal information drives this criminal enterprise, as we
all know. Please take the extra time to shred and
properly dispose of even the most innocuous looking
correspondences. These savvy predators are just waiting to
dumpster dive and get into your trash. These are not folks
looking for a bite to eat, or your cast-offs. They are
looking to steal hard earned reputations and money.
Great
relationship with LAFD partners:
It is extremely important that Hollywood Area work closely
and routinely with our L.A. Fire Department brothers and
sisters. This partnership has never been better. This is
important to us all in the event that a fire event impacts
the Beachwood Canyon area. We are united in the safety
mission to serve you.
Crime
trends:
Burglary from Motor vehicle is the most prolific crime. It
is more than just the taking of property. It is a personal
violation. Please take an extra moment NOT to leave
valuables in plain view even for a few minutes. All it takes
is a couple of minutes to become the next victim. Cell phone
chargers, loose change, empty boxes are all attractive. We
may not see them as a lucrative catch, but criminals do. It
always amazes us how much trouble the crooks will go
through, to get what we think is so little. Thanks for your
help in this area.
Transient
issues:
Homelessness is not a crime and the Department’s officers
realize this. With that being said, there are significant
percentages of criminal homeless—parolees, career criminals
who live on the streets. They have the time to loiter in
areas, watch people’s personal habits and patterns, i.e.
when someone leaves for work, when they arrive home. Be
aware of loiterers and the unfamiliar. Call us and let us
check them out. Also, please report encampments.
These illegal lodgings if left unchecked, could lead to
incendiary hazards. With a transient lighting a can of
Sterno to keep warm or cook, or merely smoking among the dry
brush, could be devastating to this community.
D.U.I.
Drivers:
Through some amazing revitalization efforts in Hollywood,
with the café and entertainment district, comes the heinous
crime of drunk driving. Any one of us can find ourselves at
the mercy of an irresponsible individual who gets behind the
wheel. Often the Franklin Avenue thoroughfare is used as a
convenient way to the freeway. Sometimes these intoxicated
individuals find their way into Beachwood Canyon. I am
stepping up our frequency of D.U.I. checkpoints in
Hollywood, targeting the areas of past traffic accidents and
tragic fatalities. West Traffic Division has been a great
and dedicated partner. The motorcycle officers who make up
that division of the LAPD are wonderful and diligent
partners.
I look
forward to meeting you all soon. I am always reachable at
213-972-2900. My email address is 24916@lapd.lacity.org.
Thank you for allowing me to have the honor of serving you.
Your support keeps all of us going forward with energy and
confidence!
Captain
Beatrice Grimala
|
