Central Area Weekly Update: August 22, 2009
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 August 22, 2009 Central reported the following crime numbers. All numbers are YTD unless otherwise noted.
- Violent Crime down 2 percent. (or 15 crimes less than last year)
- Homicides are up by 2
- Rapes are down 24 percent
- Robbery is up 0 percent ( even with than last year)
- Agg Assaults down 3 percent (9 less than last year)
- Property Crime is down 8 percent
- Burglary is down 18 percent
- Grand Theft Auto is down 28 percent
- Burgl from Motor vehicle is down 5 percent
- Personal Theft is down 2 percent
Total Part I Crimes are down 7 percent for the division.
OTHER
Below is a link to a great Downtown News article on tagging.
http://downtownnews.com/articles/2009/08/24/news/doc4a8f1bc9209b6032979816.txt
Rich Alossi on August 25, 2009, at 02:03PM – #1
Captain Chow, a question for you.
The past month has been especially problematic for me, living at 6th and Los Angeles, since the drug dealers and lookouts have been out in force more so than normal.
The problem is they will yell "Heads up!" every time a police cruiser drives past, daily until 2:00am. Since the streets are relatively devoid of people at night and since Central Division Station is one block away, this nightly occurrence is increasingly aggravating.
As I stated above, the problem has only started happening at this intersection within the last month or so. What can I do to help get this problem some attention?
By the way, calls to Central Div have gone nowhere. We're told there's nothing they can do.
Captain Blake Chow on August 25, 2009, at 03:53PM – #2
Rich
I'm not sure what you mean by the calls to Central Div have gone nowhere. You know I took your information and our narco units have been working the area. As a matter of fact they have worked it several times. Some arrests have been made there. We will continue to work the problem. You can send me an email to Blake.Chow@lapd.lacity.org. off line with additional information if you desire.
Blake
Rich Alossi on August 25, 2009, at 04:43PM – #3
Captain Chow: Thanks for your reply. And I'm glad to hear some arrests have been made. Certainly it hasn't sounded that way for the past couple weeks, since the drug drama has played out nightly in the same manner for weeks.
And also, thank you for taking the information and setting it into motion. You just have to understand my frustration when I call Central and am told there's nothing that can be done and I'm transferred three times. "You should know this is a hotspot for drug activity" is what I've been told. Thanks, I know that already.
If things have been set in motion, I'm very happy to hear that. I can handle the nightly onslaught if there's a light at the end of the tunnel. If things continue to get worse -- which has been the case now that the Business Improvement District no longer patrols the area or responds to service requests for 6th & Los Angeles -- that's where my issue is.
You'll excuse me if I sounded a bit irritable; I haven't been able to sleep a full night for weeks. "Heads up!"
Robert on August 25, 2009, at 07:06PM – #4
I am so impressed with this kind of exchange. It is the Rich's of Downtown that will help make this area a place to visit, live and be proud of. Personally I have had great results reporting crime to the LAPD as well as working with LAHSA on the homeless problem (finding housing for those in need) and the City to clean up some neglected buildings. Where else could a citizen of Los Angeles make such a difference? Captain Chow, a lot of people are worried because of the upcoming departure of Chief Bratton....but you seem to be a very concerned and active member of the LAPD and give us hope that the LAPD is going to continue to become a police department that we are so proud of. Thanks!
Captain Blake Chow on August 25, 2009, at 09:50PM – #5
Rich
We are going to be working some early morning hours. I'll make sure thats one of the areas we work. Keep me posted on the condition of that corner. I'll speak with the SLO also. You should come to one of our Community Police Advisory Board meetings. They are held once a month. The next one is on September 15th at the Pico House at Olvera Street. It will be at 630 PM. You can meet your Senior Lead Officer there and if so desired become involved in CPAB. I would like to get more residents involved in our advisory group. Also you can visit a website we set up. Centralcpab.org. It has information about upcoming events and your contacts etc.
Blake
anthony costantino on August 26, 2009, at 03:46PM – #6
Captain Chow, thank you for your hard work. I know it's hard for you to catch these guys in the act, they are quick, but as citizens we will continue to work hard to offer alternative jobs for these guys so we can minimize their desire to make a living on the street.
Also, dealers are usualy non-violent as long as you leave them alone, they're there to make money, not shoot someone.