Meeting Date: 04/24/07 06:15 PM
Meeting Type: Regular
Location: Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
Details: EMS/FIRE/POLICE COMMITTEE
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (HHWNC)
April 24, 2007
6:15 PM – 7:45 PM
Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
Free parking in back of building; Disabled entrances at the front door on Sunset and the back door from the disabled parking spot.
The public is requested to fill out a “Speaker Card” to address the Committee on any item of the agenda prior to the Committee taking action on an item. Comments from the public on non-agenda and agenda items will be heard during the Public Comment Period and, within the discretion of the Committee Chair, when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 3 minutes per speaker unless waived by the Chair. Agendas are posted for public review at Gardner Street Elementary School, Valley View Elementary School, Yucca Community Center, on bulletin boards at the top and bottom of Runyon Canyon Park, Los Angeles Library: Will and Ariel Durant Branch and electronically on the Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council website www.hhwnc.org .
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator at (213) 485-1588.
AGENDA
1. Call to order, roll call and introductions
2. Approval of minutes: December 4, 2006
3. REVIEW OF ORGANIZED GROUPS IN HHWNC
Introduction of Stacy Marble, Deputy for Councilman Tom LaBonge and LAPD Senior Lead Officer Ralph Sanchez.
Review of existing organized groups and local crime problems:
– Anne Marie Lardeau, Hollywood Knolls Community Club (Area 1)
– Linus Bittner, Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Association (Area 2)
– Cahuenga Pass Neighborhood Association (Area 2)
– Cahuenga Pass Business Owners Association (Area 2)
– Norma Foster, Yucca Corridor Coalition of Property Owners & Managers (Area 3)
– Whitley Heights Civic Association (Area 3)
– Hollywood Business Improvement District (Area 3, 4 & 5)
– Henry Mars, Hollywood Heights (Area 4)
– Kennon B. Raines, Hollywood United Methodist Church (Area 4)
– Bert Hickson, North Orange Drive Association of Managers & Tenants (Area 4 & 5)
– Janice Radder, Outpost Estates (Area 5)
– Bo Zenga, Camino Palmero Neighborhood Watch (Area 6)
– Elizabeth Reise, Runyon Canyon (Area 6)
– North Carson Neighborhood Watch (Area 6)
– Bruce Remick, Spaulding Square (Area 7)
– Ellen Schinderman, Formosa Bulldogs Neighborhood Watch (Area 7)
– Marilyn Wall & Barbara Witkin, Sunset Square (Area 7)
– Mount Olympus (Area 8)
– North Orange Grove Drive Neighborhood Watch (Area 8)
– Willow Glen Neighborhood Watch (Area 8 & 9)
Review of gaps
– Barham Apartments and Forest Lawn Drive (Area 1)
– Nichols Canyon (Area 6)
– Area South of Sunset and North of Fountain between Formosa and Spaulding Square. (Area 7)
– Area 9 central and north.
4. BEST PRACTICES: POLICE
Goal: Communication network to support crime prevention and emergency preparedness (possible motion and vote)
Goal: Increase number of Neighborhood Watches
HUNC voted funding to support each new Neighborhood Watch.
GTLNC pays for new Neighborhood Watch signs.
(Possible motion and vote on funding request)
Valley and HUNC efforts with Smart Cars – Exploring this concept for our area and reaching out to other Hollywood Neighborhood Councils (possible motion and vote)
Updated Hollywood Community Police Advisory Board website:
http://www.hollywoodcpab.com/ with updated contact information for Senior Lead Officers and Detectives.
5. BEST PRACTICES: EMS
Neighborhood Councils of Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Task Force Meeting, Report by Henry Mars
HUNC vote of funding for emergency kits
Valley efforts funding emergency supplies
Upcoming CERT 1 training:
– Class organized by Studio City starting in May
– Class organized by HUNC at Hollywood Presbyterian Church
– Class beginning end of August at Fairfax High
Goal: Increase number of CERT trained stakeholders (possible motion and vote)
CERT refresher trainings and meetings, Bob Adjemian, Battalion 5 CERT Coordinator
Safety-related trainings sponsored by our area (possible motion and vote)
6. FIRE
Prevention pamphlets from Senior Lead Officer Ralph Sanchez
Brush clearing on City and DWP property
7. Public Comments – Comments from the public on agenda items and non-agenda items within the Committee’s subject matter jurisdiction. Public comments are limited to 3 minutes per speaker.
8. Scheduling of next meeting and adjourn.
PROCESS FOR RECONSIDERATION: The committees may reconsider and amend their action on items listed on the agenda if that reconsideration takes place immediately following the original action or at the next regular meeting. The Committees, on either of these two days, shall: (1) Make a Motion for Reconsideration and, if approved, (2) hear the matter and Take an Action. If the Motion to Reconsider an action is to be scheduled at the next meeting following the original action, then two items shall be placed on the agenda for that meeting: (1) A Motion for Reconsideration on the described matter and (2) a Proposed Action should the motion to reconsider be approved. A Motion for Reconsideration can only be made by a committee member who has previously voted on the prevailing side of the original action taken. If a Motion for Reconsideration is not made on the date the action was taken, then a committee member on the prevailing side of the action must submit a memorandum to the committee(s) chair(s) identifying the matter to be reconsidered and a brief description of the reason(s) for requesting reconsideration at the next regular meeting. The aforesaid shall all be in compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act.
DRAFT
EMERGENCY SERVICES, POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE
HOLLYWOOD HILLS WEST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (HHWNC)
April 24, 2007
6:15 PM – 8:00 PM
Will & Ariel Durant Public Library
7140 W. Sunset Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90046
1. Committee Chair Anne Marie Lardeau called the meeting to order at 6:15 PM.
24 stakeholders were present with participation from HHWNC Areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8.
City Government Representatives:
Councilman Tom LaBonge, Council District 4
Deputy Stacy Marble, Council District 4
Senior Lead Officer Ralph Sanchez, Basic Car 6A31, LAPD Hollywood
Bob Adjemian, Battalion 5 CERT Coordinator, LAFD
Robert Martinez, Battalion 5 CERT Assistant Coordinator, LAFD
2. Stakeholders who attended the December 4, 2006 meeting approved the minutes.
3. REVIEW OF ORGANIZED GROUPS IN HHWNC
During outreach for this meeting, Anne Marie Lardeau observed a wide range of relationships between community groups and the LAPD.
Some areas, particularly in Basic Car 6A31, have a close relationship with their Senior Lead officer Ralph Sanchez who is also actively organizing new neighborhood watches.
Other areas reported difficult or inexistent relationships with their LAPD SLO. Some SLOs were not aware of long-standing organized groups in their Basic Car.
The Committee reviewed existing organized groups and local crime problems:
AREA 1:
Anne Marie Lardeau from the Hollywood Knolls Community Club stated her neighborhood has an extensive email tree. Main crime problems are burglaries from motor vehicle, mail theft, burglaries, and an occasional stolen car.
AREA 2:
Linus Bittner from the Cahuenga Pass Property Owners Association is the local Community Police Representative. He identified main crime concerns as burglaries from motor vehicle, burglaries, stolen cars, mail theft, and robberies in the commercial part of Cahuenga Boulevard.
Since Area 2 is part of North Hollywood Division and Valley Bureau, communications and exchange of information with Hollywood Division territory is challenging. It is important for neighboring community groups to have a close relationship. Mr. Bittner suggested that it would also be beneficial if the SLO from his area and adjacent SLOs from Hollywood Division communicated on a regular basis.
Area 2 is also served by the Cahuenga Pass Neighborhood Association and the Cahuenga Pass Business Owners Association.
AREA 3:
Norma Foster from the Yucca Corridor Coalition of Property Owners & Managers was not able to attend this meeting but plan to be involved in the future. Her organization has a strong neighborhood watch. Current concerns are focused on graffiti and transients sleeping in the streets, which need to be cleared of related trash on a regular basis.
Lena and Jumal Ghafoor from the Cahuenga Corridor reported problems with transients, gangs and narcotic activity. They have identified a relationship where transients hold drugs for gang members to facilitate the drug trade. This activity is connected to specific buildings in the area. There is insufficient tracking of gang members who are parolees and subject to an injunction. Burglaries from motor vehicle are also a major concern.
John Ehretz from Wilcox And Vicinity Enhancement (W.A.V.E.) stated that quality of life is negatively impacted by the plethora of nightclubs in their area. This seems to strengthen the attraction for the homeless, transients who loiter, and gang members.
Representatives from the Whitley Heights Civic Association were not able to attend but plan to participate in the future. This long-standing organization has an email tree, a neighborhood watch, and is currently organizing a private patrol effort.
Area 3 is also home to a Business Improvement District with its own security force.
AREA 4:
Henry Mars from Hollywood Heights Association stated that main crime concerns include a local crack house, burglaries from motor vehicle, mail theft, groups of out-of-area people who loiter, and distribution of flyers linked to suspicious activity.
Information about unusually heavy or low-flying helicopter activity may be available from the LAPD Air Support Division Watch Commander at (213) 485-2600.
Bert Hickson from the North Orange Drive Association of Managers & Tenants (Areas 4 & 5) reports continuing difficulty getting response from Hollywood LAPD. Problems include slow emergency response time leading to having to make a citizen’s arrest, no response from SLO, and inability to get a needed trespass letter for his building renewed. Local crime concerns include drug trade and transient-related blight.
AREA 5:
Outpost Estates was not represented. Crime concerns include burglaries, burglaries from motor vehicle and mail theft.
AREA 6:
The whole area is now a focus of several organizing efforts.
Elizabeth MacDonald representing North Vista and Gardner Streets along with Runyon Canyon explained how the quality of life in her neighborhood was harmed by parking problems and hazardous pollution created by Runyon Canyon. Local issues also include soliciting and traffic accidents caused by speeding vehicles.
The Camino Palmero Neighborhood Watch was not represented.
North Curson Avenue Neighborhood Watch was not represented. SLO Sanchez explained local problems include out-of-area groups loitering, associated trash and squatters.
No active neighborhood watch currently serves the Nichols Canyon area. Mary Michiels believes the neighborhood association still exists but is not active. The committee identified the organizing of Nichols Canyon Area for safety and crime prevention as a goal.
Traffic flow and speeding vehicles are local concerns.
AREA 7:
Bruce Remick and Valorie Keegan from Spaulding Square explained they have a very active neighborhood watch and an extensive email tree. Local crime issues include burglaries, burglaries from motor vehicles and robberies.
In parts of Area 7 there is a significant Russian population that is resistant to getting involved with the police and other government agencies.
Marilyn Wall and Barbara Witkin from Sunset Square described the current rewarding progress of their neighborhood watch organizing efforts. Marilyn Wall is also reaching out beyond Sunset Square to include the adjacent Stanley and Selma areas. Local crime concerns include burglaries from motor vehicles, burglaries and thefts.
Senior Librarian Hannah Kramer described a serious safety concern affecting the Will & Ariel Durant library on Sunset. In spite of posted signs, transients sleep, defecate, and leave trash in the front entrance every night. They threaten patrons trying to return material in the book drop. SLO Sanchez will work with Ms. Kramer to solve the problem.
The new Formosa Bulldogs Neighborhood Watch was not represented.
AREA 8:
Doctor Steve Schonfeld from Mount Olympus explained that his community has 24/7 private security. Combined with the limited number of ingress and egress points, this helps create different conditions and promotes a safe neighborhood. A main concern is danger from speeding vehicles. Mail theft is low but the entire blue main mailbox was unbolted and stolen a while back.
Lourdes Lozano from North Orange Grove Drive Neighborhood Watch stated that her area’s concerns are more similar to the previous ones with burglaries from motor vehicles and burglaries.
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Watch (Areas 8 & 9) was not represented.
4. BEST PRACTICES: POLICE
Councilman Tom LaBonge reviewed some of the innovative approaches that led to a reduction in crime in Hollywood and are credited with a dramatic reduction in public blight due to prostitution.
The Committee agreed that more effective sharing of information to promote public safety should be a goal.
“Motion to create a local safety communication network between organized groups, including the HHWNC, to support crime prevention and emergency preparedness.”
The motion carried unanimously.
The Committee agreed that increasing the number of Neighborhood Watches in HHWNC area should be a goal.
Neighboring Hollywood United Neighborhood Council (HUNC) voted funding to support each new Neighborhood Watch and the Greater Toluca Lake Neighborhood Council (GTLNC) pays for new Neighborhood Watch signs.
Costs for each sign are estimated to be around $80. Two to six signs are generally needed.
“Motion to request that HHWNC sponsor the cost of new Neighborhood Watch signs within its area.”
The motion carried unanimously.
The Committee discussed Valley and HUNC efforts to fund “Smart Cars” with Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR). SLO Sanchez distributed brochures describing ALPR.
The Committee supports reaching out to other Hollywood Neighborhood Councils to fund ALPR technology in Hollywood Division.
The cost of each ALPR is estimated to be around $30,000.
“Motion to request that HHWNC sponsor up to $10,000 for Automatic License Plate Recognition and work in partnership with other Hollywood NCs to achieve the goal of bringing ALPR to LAPD Hollywood Division. A commitment to keep this locally funded equipment in Hollywood would be needed.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Anne Marie Lardeau and Bruce Remick have worked with the Hollywood Community-Police Advisory Board (HCPAB) and Community Relations Office and to create a new Hollywood CPAB website:
http://www.hollywoodcpab.com/ .
The new website includes Neighborhood Watch resources with updated contact information including Emails for Senior Lead Officers and Detectives.
5. BEST PRACTICES: EMS
Councilman Tom LaBonge expressed his support for the CERT program. He stated that City Council is exploring requiring apartment managers to receive CERT training when the building exceeds a certain size. The Committee was supportive of this concept.
Henry Mars gave a report on the Neighborhood Councils of Los Angeles Emergency Preparedness Task Force Meeting and described creative projects funded by other Neighborhood Councils.
The Committee agreed that increasing the number of CERT trained HHWNC stakeholders should be a goal.
“Motion that the Committee safety communication network and HHWNC help publicize upcoming CERT trainings that are offered close to our area.”
The motion carried unanimously.
Bob Adjemian, Battalion 5 CERT Coordinator, answered questions about CERT and gave information about refresher trainings and meetings. LAFD Battalion 5 covers most of HHWNC area.
The Committee will explore ways to support a strong CERT network within HHWNC and to promote local safety-related trainings.
6. Public Comments – No comments
7. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM