Full Notification

Topanga Area’s Drop in Crime
 
I wanted to share with the local community some good news on crime, lately. 
 
Last week registered under 80 crimes for the week, with the two weeks prior also registering double digits.  Topanga Area has not seen 3 consecutive weeks of double-digit crime in over one year.
 
The last quarter of 2016 averaged 130 crimes per week, while the first quarter of 2017 has averaged 111 crimes per week. 
 
Nearly 20 fewer crimes per week is quite significant!  The year started with a first week over 130 crimes, but with only three exceptions over the 12 weeks, crime has dropped consistently every week since, with last week’s total the lowest at 72.  (Late reports coming in through the week will probably drive this total up to 80).  Last week’s total was the lowest week for crime since September 2014.
 
Every major crime category (homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, car burglary, auto theft, burglary, and theft) fell below the same 4-week period last year, and every category but aggravated assault fell below last month’s totals. 
 
Comparing this 4-week period to the previous 4 weeks, Topanga experienced 119 fewer crimes; that’s nearly 30 fewer crimes per week.  Drops in THEFT and CAR BURGLARY account for the lion’s share of the reduction.
 
It appears Winter came in like a lion and is going out like a lamb!
 
Some of the reasons behind the drop might include:
 

• Stepped up enforcement for Burglaries occurring south of Ventura Boulevard.  Since the end of January, only 6 burglaries have occurred there, compared to a 50% rise in burglaries for 2016, compared to 2015.  We have used a number of strategies to increase our presences and gather intelligence on burglars and other criminals preying on Woodland Hills.
• We re-created an undercover property crime unit, called the Crime Response Unit.  In their short 5-week existence, they have made several key arrests of repeat offenders and parolees.  One arrest involved nabbing a 17-year old and and 18-year old breaking into cars in a Canoga Avenue garage.  The minor had been arrested 7 times since 2015 for breaking into cars despite being on probation.
• We publicized a serious of white utility vans being broken into, 27 between November and February.  Since the news release, not a single van taken nor broken into.
• Topanga officers know the profile of car thieves and stolen cars very well.  Last year, officers averaged 2 GTA arrests a week;  so far this year, officers have stepped up their observations and are averaging 4 arrests per week!
• Total arrests are UP 14% so far this year.  GTA arrests have doubled.
• Violent crime is DOWN nearly 13% year to date, which is 24 fewer crimes, or 2 less per week.  Nearly half of the violent crime is perpetrated between persons who know each other, not strangers. 
• Road Rage is a particular, going concern, as it has become more common in the past 2 years.  Aggressive driving and inattentiveness due to using phones while driving are responsible for the UP trend, so we are UPPING out traffic enforcement to cite aggressive driving behavior and persons using phones while driving.  I should add, too, that fatal car crashes are UP, mostly cars vs pedestrians.  In many cases, the drivers were texting.

 
Here are some ways you can help us (your police) to reduce crime in your neighborhoods
 

1. Install camera-equipped doorbells that call your phone and alert you to visitors while you’re gone
2. Drive defensively and courteously; stay OFF your phone while driving!
3. Lock your car;  remove all items from the passenger compartment. Most car burglaries occur overnight, while you’re asleep.  Park your car in a secure area.
4. Install steering-wheel locks on older model cars
5. DON’T DON’T DON’T leave your FOB in your newer model cars!!!   Yes, people do that!!!  Newer model car thefts are on the rise as crooks figure ways to defeat the security systems, mostly left vulnerable by owners errors and shortcuts.
6. Don’t leave a key on your wheel if you are going to tandem park a car in your parking garage.  Yes, the crooks know the key is there.
7. Install video cameras around your home or business.  We solve so many more crimes thanks to video.  It’s a deterrent! 
8. If you own a BUSINESS, remove your money from your cash register, leave the register open with the empty till on top so crooks can see there is NO money to be had
9. As Spring turns to Summer, LOCK your doors and windows, especially at night, even when you are home.
10. Install laminated (not tempered) glass on your rear sliding glass doors.  They won’t shatter as easily for burglars
11. Be a good neighbor and report suspicious activity, especially during the day when neighbors are gone.  Take down license plates of suspicious cars.  Don’t buy things from door-to-door salesmen, nor give money to solicitors.

 
While violent crime is down, year to date, property crime is still UP over last year, nearly 10%.  Most of that crime is auto-related and shoplifting from stores.  The area around Topanga Mall accounts for nearly 1 in 5 crimes in Topanga area due to thefts from the businesses.  Shoplifting hurts business and the economy.
 
The combined Part I crime is UP just over 6%, this year, but it has been dropping consistently.  With your HELP and COLLABORATION, we can make sure that number will continue to drop.
 
On behalf of all the men and women, sworn and civilian, at LAPD’s Topanga Police Station, thank you for your unwavering support every day.  The officers really feel it and appreciate it!!!
 
Capt. Paul Vernon
Topanga Community Police Station