~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Association Newsletter
Police Captain Beatrice Girmala's Summer Newsletter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
 HELLO TO MY BEACHWOOD CANYON NEIGHBORS-
I truly hope that your summer has been punctuated by some moments of fun and relaxation.
It
has been a busy but very productive period for Hollywood Division. We
are in the middle of the implementation of our Summer Plan 2009, a
comprehensive policing approach which includes many task force
operations. We have also been fortunate to have two reserve officer
operations where reserves from throughout the city come to police
Hollywood on special assignment.
As a result of these focuses, burglary from motor vehicle and grand
theft autos have dropped and overall violent crime continues its
downturn.
We
were all saddened to hear that Chief William J. Bratton will be leaving
the Department for new challenges. He has been such a wonderful and
staunch supporter of the Hollywood community, looking at the progress
made while supporting its future. When I made my presentation to him
for 40 additional officers, Chief Bratton agreed and moved forward
swiftly to make this deployment a reality. The August 6th press
conference at Hollywood and Highland underscored the permanency of this
project. I hope you will all see more presence from the basic cars in
their assigned area, now that the Entertainment District has some net
of support. We often found all Hollywood units responding to the
midpoint of the division to deal with in excess of 600 calls a month in
three adjacent reporting districts. Other parts of Hollywood were left
less attended as a result. We are seeing that all change. Overall crime
reductions prove the premise and deployment plan to be valid and
effective.
I also proudly share with you the outstanding observation work by
Hollywood patrol and detectives in apprehending the murder suspect who
was bent on killing transients. Our community partners, in particular,
the Music Box, helped us access critical video footage leading to the
suspects capture. This individual was unphased and ready to continue
his unprovoked attacks. The unrelenting search by Hollywood officers
ended the tragic spree.
The Hollywood Gang Unit has been working diligently in several areas of
the division. Recent search warrants have taken four guns off the
street. They are committed to doing everything possible to dismantle
the infrastructures of these domestic terrorists, not solely making the
quick arrest which unfortunately nets little punishment.
Hollywood Vice had had its most productive month to date, with over 300
arrests in July. They support the community's distinctive nature, while
ensuring that public safety does not take a backseat. Our friends at
West Traffic Division generously deploy motorcycle officers to deal
with the DUI drivers in Hollywood's main thoroughfares. The Sunset
Boulevard Cruiser Task Force is also serving our area with the generous
assistance of the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department.
Vigilance with regard to fire dangers continues. As you know, Hollywood
Division's relationship with LAFD has never been stronger or more
united. All watch commanders are familiar with the brush fire guide and
evacuation protocol in the event we need to move in that direction.
Your continued tenacity and great observations have aided us immensely.
Report any encampments to me or to Senior Lead Officer Mike Shea. We
can't take any chances!!
Your help and support has been instrumental in the successes and gains
we have made in crime reduction. Of course, there are always more
improvements to be made, and more work to be done. As the economy
challenges all of us, please remain vigilant and offer no opportunities
for suspects to victimize you or a neighbor. Secure valuables, report
activity that seems out of sorts, involve your senior leads in issues
with the potential to be so much more.
I am extremely fortunate to have the staff and dedicated group of
officers I do. Many of Hollywood's supervisors were handpicked by me
for their unique sense of mission and unselfish approach to what they
do. I hope you feel well served and that you feel my advocacy for
Hollywood in the greater scheme of things. You have my pledge to
continue making this area the best it can be.
Please email me with any remarks or concerns at 24916@lapd.lacity.org.
All my best, B
Return to Top
|
