LAPD says crime is on the upswing; stay vigilant

On a recent Sunday afternoon, two men were walking on Larchmont Boulevard when an SUV pulled up and two suspects got out and pulled a gun. The victims were held up at gunpoint, and then the suspects drove off in the dark-colored vehicle, according to Det. M. Flores of the LAPD Wilshire Division. The victims were walking south on the Boulevard on April 3 at about 5:15 p.m. The suspects fled east on Beverly Boulevard.

Unfortunately incidents like this on otherwise quiet afternoons have become all-too familiar. Robberies — with a gun — are up 44 percent this year, Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Police Commission last month.

Moore is urging residents to keep alert and be aware of their surroundings. Wearing expensive jewelry in public draws unwanted attention from criminals, whether potential victims are shopping in mini-markets, filling up at gas stations or simply walking along a street.

Gangs

Street gangs are targeting well-to-do neighborhoods, sending “crews” in multiple cars to search for people driving expensive cars and/or wearing expensive jewelry, police said.

Police have identified 17 Los Angeles-area gangs, and LAPD have listed 165 such robberies in 2021 and 56 so far this year, according to Capt. Jonathan Tippet in an April 15 front-page report in the “Los Angeles Times.” The Wilshire Division had 46 of those robberies during that 2021 to April 22 period.

Avoid danger

Be aware of your surroundings. No matter how safe you think a neighborhood or shopping district is (Rodeo Drive included), it’s not a good idea to leave the front door open, your valuables in the car or your purse on top of an entry table, and don’t flaunt your pearls and diamonds and high-end watches.

Other tips include: Act confident and focused. Criminals look for people who are meek, mild and distracted
React quickly to danger. Use the same element of surprise as the criminal. Run towards lights or people, make noise. And, above all, stay safe.

OLYMPIC DIVISION  Senior Lead Officer Joseph Pelayo 213-793-0709
31762@lapd.lacity.org
Twitter: @lapdolympi

WILSHIRE DIVISION
Senior Lead Officer
Dave Cordova 213-793-0650
31646@lapd.lacity.org
Twitter: @lapdwilshire213-793-0650
31646@lapd.lacity.org
Twitter: @lapdwilshire

Category: News