Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council

REPORT: ONLINE MEETING for LAPD FOOTHILL DIV. VOLUNTEERS & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

23 April 2020, 4:00–5:15PM
The Zoom meeting started at 4:00 with Capt. David Grimes and Sgt. Jesse Ojeda hosting more than 30 attendees.
In all LAPD, 82 have been stricken by COVID-19. We grieve for the family of an officer whose wife succumbed to the disease. Of the sick, 65 are uniformed officers, 17 are civilians.
We are thrilled to report that, out of Foothill Division's 140 officers, not one has tested positive for CV-19! Capt. Grimes credits the division's constant precautions. In another bright spot, two Foothill officers stopped by a shut-in teenager's home on his birthday to play a quick game of football catch! Mom and the young man were thrilled!
Most crime stats are down:
- Only 3 homicides
- Reported rapes dropped from 15 to 6
- Aggravated assaults are down
- Residential burglaries are down because more people are home.
- Grand theft auto rose 14% to 285 thefts!
Some auto thefts trace back to drivers leaving keys in the ignition in driveways or at a store. Older Hondas and Chevys are particularly subject to theft, apparently because their ignitions become vulnerable with wear. Use a steering wheel "club" to at least discourage or slow thieves down.
Thefts of personal possessions from autos often occur when people leave a laptop, phone, wallet or purse visible. "Hide It. Lock It. KEEP IT!" Hot weather increases thefts from homes because people leave windows open when they leave. One resident said crime in Sun Valley/Pacoima is lower than she was expecting.
LAPD will not enforce anti-virus masks or social distancing. Responsible residents are the best public examples. If you must mention masks to non-wearers, or those who drop it below nose or mouth, try a *friendly and polite* reminder like: "I just learned that a person is most contagious two weeks before symptoms appear! I know you wouldn't want to get, or give, this virus."
Please never argue with irresponsible people! They anger easily. If you're comfortable contacting the business owner/manager, most will require staff and customers to wear a mask.
To clarify and disseminate LA's rules on essential businesses, leaving home, social distancing, etc., you can read, download and print out Mayor Garcetti's "Safer at Home" order here:
https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-angelenos-are-%E2%80%98safer-home-new-emergency-order-stops-non-essential-activities-outside
Once you know which businesses are essential, you might report violators to LAPD Dispatch at 877-ASK-LAPD. When a nonessential business remains stubbornly open, LAPD sends a complaint to LA City Attorney. If the business still refuses, electricity and water can be turned off.
Six LA Recreation and Parks facilities in San Fernando Valley are being used for homeless. None of these are in Foothill Division, but ALL residents contacted at the Paxton & Bradley encampment wanted the housing offered. As housing is often in area hotels, additional people arrived to apply for rooms. This housing reduces infection to the community and those without shelter. No word on the duration of those stays.
For free Coronavirus-19 testing, do a web search for "Free CV-19 testing near me." Usually you'll describe your symptoms, then receive an appointment.
A concern arose when it was learned that the Sun Valley bike path will be lengthened from Bradford down to Burbank. A resident who passes that path daily revealed it's only used by drug dealers. Should the City invest in this route?
Ms. Ávalos, President of Pacoima Neighborhood Council, said their NC is donating money to efforts that serve the less privileged and delivering food to 200 families. If you or another require such help, contact www.pacoimanc.com.
Speeders on Foothill Blvd were called to LAPD attention. After more questions, meeting adjourned at 5:15PM.
[The above are NOT certified minutes. These are notes by Jon von Gunten, Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council Representative to LAPD's Neighborhood Watch. They may contain inadvertent errors or omit points covered.]