DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Each week Captain Blake Chow, Commanding Officer of LAPD's Central Division, sends out an email to the community. Captain Chow has agreed to let blogdowntown bring his emails to our readers.

As of May 9, 2009 Central reported the following crime numbers. All numbers are YTD unless otherwise noted.

First, Central in terms of total numbers of crimes is the lowest in the City by 200 crimes.

• Violent Crime up 13 percent. (or 45 crimes more than last year)
• Homicides are up 100 percent (1 more than last year)
• Rapes are down 18 percent
• Robbery is up 8 percent
• Agg Assaults are up 23 percent (35 more crimes this year vs last)

This week was punctuated by warm weather and a very busy week. We reported an increase in aggravated assaults. Of particular note was three in the area of 6th and San Julian. The other aggravated assaults involved bodily force and were spread out through out the division. One individual was stabbed in the area of North Hill and Ord but an arrest was made one this.

We also saw an increase in robberies this week over last. The strong arm robberies were primarily concentrated in the area between San Pedro and Broadway, 4th to 9th. None of these involved a gun.

One bank was robbed on the west side of the Division off Flower and 3rd but the suspect was caught when the dye pack exploded as he was running off.

• Property Crime is down 14 percent
• Burglary is down 21 percent
• Grand Theft Auto is down 21 percent
• Burgl from Motor vehicle is down 11 percent
• Personal Theft is down 11 percent

There were no burglaries in the Fashion District. We had one burglary from motor vehicle on Figueroa near Olympic on the street. This is the 3rd one this month in this area. The area can be somewhat dark due to the tree growth. Please remind people NOT to leave anything of value in their vehicles. This includes Cell Phones, GPS Units, Purses, Computers and anything of value. All it takes is a few seconds to break a window and take something of value from your car.

Total Part I Crimes are down 7 percent for the division (100 Crimes). Needless to say we have some work to do and will be putting a summer strategy in place.

Next Community Police Advisory Board Meeting is May 19 at 830am-Pico House

Tip a Cop at Petes Cafe on May 19- 11am to 2pm- Come watch the SLO's act as waiters and waitresses.- All proceeds go to Special Olympics

DEMO

On Friday May 15 we are expecting 5,000 teachers to gather at Pershing Square and march northbound on Olive to 3rd Street. They will be marching to LAUSD headquarters. March to begin at 11am. Expect traffic delays in this area.

Editor's note: A judge today issued a restraining order forbidding the teachers from walking out.

Check out our CPAB Website: http://centralcpab.org

Blake

Captain III Blake Chow