LAPD Central Police Station has an important message, especially for hospitality businesses, owners + employees 
Help Protect Your Customers from Loss and Theft
The message: TEACH YOUR SERVERS TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR CELL PHONES, CAMERAS AND OTHER PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES LEFT OUT ON TABLES BY PATRONS. ASK YOUR SERVERS TO GIVE THE PATRON A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO HOLD ON TO THE DEVICE OR PUT IT AWAY.
One-quarter to one-third of all major crime downtown is related to theft. "We're seeing a trend of lost and stolen cell phones and cameras, which were left unattended or unwatched by their owners in bars, hotels and restaurants," said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of detectives for the downtown Central Police Station.
"Just a friendly reminder to a customer to 'watch your phone,' might save that customer from having a bad experience at your business," Lt. Vernon explained. "Losing a phone today can have serious consequences for the owner with so much personal information inside, not to mention the hassle and inconvenience of replacement."
The downtown area averages about 25 thefts a week, which include shoplifting arrests from major department stores, drug stores, as well as bike thefts.
"So many thefts could be avoided just by being more careful with one's phone or IPad," Lt Vernon concluded.
Address/Location
LAPD - Central Area
251 East 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 213-972-1298
Paul Vernon
Central Detective Division
[email protected]
213-972-1203