From: Captain Bill Murphy

Subject: Northeast (NOE) Newsletter

Hello everyone. Just wanted to send out a brief newsletter to update everyone on upcoming events and crime information.

Upcoming Events

Crime Terminology

187: Homicide

211: Robbery

BTFV: Car break-in

GTA: Car theft

AGG: Shooting, stabbing, or assault not resulting in death

459: Burglary of a residence or business

261: Sexual Assault (rape)

NOE Crime Update

The year to date (YTD) crime statistics will cover from January 1, 2010 through February 6, 2010. Since we just held COMPSTAT for Northeast Area yesterday, I will give a four-week overview of crime. I will also comment on other high profile events that have occurred the last month in NOE.

YTD Violent Crime: Down 13.6%

YTD Property Crime: Down 13.9%

YTD Part I (total): Down 13.8 %

YTD Homicide: Down 100.0% (0 so far - keep fingers crossed)

YTD Rape Up 33.0% (up 1 crime, 4 vs. 3)

YTD Burglary Up 50.0% (up 25 crimes)

• All other categories of crimes are down YTD
• We have 86 less serious Part I crimes YTD

• NOE currently ranks NINTH in crime reduction Citywide (out of 21 police stations).

Neighborhood Crime Update

Cypress Park

We had two shootings between the Avenues and Cypress Park gangs resulting in several people being struck - none fatal. There was numerous other "shots fired" radio calls that were reported during the middle part of January. To prevent an outbreak of gang violence, we immediately flooded the area with extra patrol resources and stepped up gang enforcement activities.

Numerous gang member detentions and arrests have been made in Cypress Park and Glassell Park. The Mayor's Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) team was also brought in to assist in gang intervention strategies. The shots fired calls have slowed down tremendously. We will continue to monitor the situation and respond as needed.

We arrested a female member of the Avenues gang who was responsible for two residential burglaries in the area. Residential and commercial burglaries have been the biggest crime problem so far this year - spread THROUGHOUT Northeast Area (up 50%). Residential burglaries generally occur during daytime hours (people are at work) and commercial burglaries happen in the early morning hours (2-6 AM). Right now, Thursdays and Fridays are the highest crime days for burglaries. Lock up and please be observant. Report any unusual activities to us.

Mount Washington

Had several daytime burglaries committed between 6 AM to noon, still under investigation but could be serial (same player). A few car break ins and stolen cars closer to the Figueroa Corridor. Overall, looks pretty good in the area.

Highland Park

Some commercial burglaries along the Figueroa Corridor (e-mails distributed previously).

Two male black suspects have conducted four retail store armed robberies along the Figueroa Corridor during the last month and maybe responsible for numerous robberies throughout Los Angeles County. Robbery Homicide Division has picked up this investigation and is coordinating all police activities. Please be careful. If you have a camera system in your business make sure it's turned on and can cover the counter and front door. We have increased patrol in the area and are actively looking for these suspects.

On 1-14-10, several suspects committed three separate street robberies within a 35-minute span around Franklin High School area - property taken was IPODS and cell phones. Northeast Area Patrol officers responded and a one unit put out a description of the suspects over the radio. Another unit spotted the suspects and immediately detained them. The investigation resulted in the arrest of three Highland Park gang members for robbery. Gang members frequently victimize teenagers holding IPODS and cell phones. Please discuss with your kids and leave these items at home or use discretion when using them in public.

Eagle Rock

As with other areas, we had an increase in residential and commercial burglaries. We are running under cover operations and working all leads to stem this problem. Arrests of burglary suspects are up dramatically (77%) but we clearly have some suspects working our neighborhoods that we need to identify.

Glassell Park

Some younger juveniles on Drew Street have been hanging out late at night and trying to act as the new generation of Avenues gang members - albeit without the narcotics selling and shootouts of their predecessors. We have been working with gang interventionists to quell this before it grows. Hopefully this will work, but if it does not, then my philosophy is very simple on this issue - if they want to act like gang members we will treat them as such (following all the rules) and use every tactic at our disposal. This may include pursuing evictions of families that live in apartments already abated by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. We will solve this problem one way or the other. Hopefully, these youngsters read the Los Angeles Times article (2-7-10) about former Drew Street gang leader Francisco "Pancho" Real. He has been cooperating with us (law enforcement) since we arrested him and regrets his actions as a gang member. It took courage for him to do this and reinforces the message that in the end - gang banging does not pay. You will wind up dead or in jail and regret what you did with your life.

Atwater Village

No patterns or trends. Some property crime, car break ins, couple of burglaries, etc.

Echo Park

No patterns or trends. Some property crime - few car break ins and GTAs.

Silver Lake

Property crime is the problem. Specifically car break ins and GTAs along the Sunset Corridor (Glendale and Alvarado Blvd).

We will be introducing a new program called "11 for 11" to combat auto theft. Basically, we will sell you a real "CLUB" manufactured steering wheel device for $11 if you will agree to spend the 11 seconds it takes to put the device on! These devices sell at retail for as much as $39.95 (AutoZone).

We will begin this program by identifying past victims of GTA who will be offered to purchase the device. Then expand the program to anyone who owns our biggest GTA problem vehicles - 1990's model Hondas and Toyotas. I need to be very forthright with the public on this program - I am not sure if I can get enough of these devices to simply sell at discount to everyone who wants to buy one. (This might aggravate businesses that make a living selling these for a profit.) Remember that the intent is to harden the target of vehicles that generate our GTAs in the first place. I will keep you updated on this issue.

I do want to thank BLEND for providing the funding to seed this program ($2,000). I also want to thank the Northeast Clergy Council and the Churches of Northeast for their commitment to raise funds to enable us to provide even more of these devices to the public.

Elysian Valley

No patterns or trends. Overall, looks good.

Franklin Hills

Some car break ins in the north, some burglaries in the south.

Alert: A few kids that attend Marshall High School have gotten sick by ingesting a plant called "Angel's Trumpet." Apparently, the plant is attractive and is growing in numerous residential gardens throughout Northeast Area. Kids believe that it's has hallucinogenic properties (could be true - or their bodies are reacting to the poisonous toxins they ingested). The Fire Department brought it to our attention and we are monitoring the issue. Some residences near the school have removed the plants upon our request - thanks for your support.

Los Feliz

We are experiencing lots of problems with car break ins. We arrested a known BTFV suspect (on probation) after he broke into a car in an apartment parking lot complex and was chased down by tenants who detained him harshly. This arrest will help slow down the problem here but there are certainly other suspects working this area. If you live in an apartment complex please wait until the parking lot door closes before you drive away (make sure no one just enters - call the police or your manager if you see this). Also, make sure the apartment manager changes the gate signal from time to time. Suspects can break in and get this device and use it to keep breaking into vehicles at the same location.

East Hollywood

We experienced increased in property crime - car break ins, burglaries, and GTAs. Working this area very hard right now.

A couple of weeks ago the LA Times reported a homicide in East Hollywood of man found in the middle of the street with a gunshot wound to his head. The investigation determined that this was not true. While the investigation is still ongoing, it appears that the dead man (now a suspect) actually tried to rob a tow truck driver and was inadvertently run over by him while he attempted to flee the crime! As I stated before - crime does not pay!

Anyway, that's it for now. Please be safe and do not leave valuable items in your cars! Take care Bill 26152@lapd.lacity.org