Pacific Palisades Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore gave Rotary Club members tips on how to prevent burglaries and car thefts.
LAPD’s Moore Provides Crime Report
And Tips for Crime-Free Holiday
Pacific Palisades Senior Lead Officer Michael Moore spoke to the Rotary Club in November and the Business Improvement District board in December about ways to thwart crimes around the holidays.
Moore suggests that if you are leaving town for the holidays, do not put your mail on hold. Instead have someone pick it up. He explained that if someone finds out you have a hold on your mail—and they tell someone–it automatically lets people know you’re out of town. Additionally, anyone watching your house will notice there is no mail delivery.
With the increase in shopping online, packages left on your porch are a temptation to those who might be trolling neighborhoods–specifically looking for boxes.
Moore said that even if you have a video of the person taking a package, it might be hard for the LAPD to track that person without any other description. The most helpful piece of information to give detectives would be the car and license plate number of the thief.
Moore suggests having your packages delivered to your work or to a neighbor that you know will be at home, rather than having them left on your porch.
As far as home burglaries, he said the days of criminals taking computers and televisions are gone; now its cash and jewelry.
The December burglary report for Pacific Palisades included:
In the 16700 block of Calle Arbolada, December 12 between 7:45 a.m. and 6 p.m., the suspect smashed a glass door to enter victim’s home and took jewelry.
In the 900 block of El Medio, December 12, between noon and 9 p.m. the suspect entered victim’s home and took a purse and a watch.
In the 1200 block of Las Pulgas Rd, December 12, 6:20 p.m. The suspect (male, 5’8″/5’10”, no further description) smashed a glass door but fled before entering victim’s home.
In the 1400 block of Chastain Pkwy, December 12 at 6 p.m. The suspect smashed a glass door to enter victim’s home and took a purse.
In the 800 block of Napoli Dr., December 13, between 3 and 9:20 p.m., the suspect pried open a window to enter victim’s home and took jewelry.
In the 400 block of Surfview, December 14, 6:35 p.m., two male suspects (no further description) smashed a door to enter victim’s home, ransacked the home but did not take any property.
Moore said one of the biggest threats in the Palisades continues to be burglary/theft from vehicles. “Don’t leave anything in the car,” he said, noting that even if you leave some pennies in the console, it might be enticement to someone looking in the car window. “They might think that there’s more in there because they see the change.”
Moore also reported that with the increasing popularity of hiking trails at Los Leones and Temescal, hikers’ cars are continually targeted. Criminals know the people will be gone several hours, but once again Moore reiterated, “Don’t leave anything in your car.”
Car thefts included:
In the 700 block of Palisades Drive, December 13 to 14 between 7:30 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. The suspect smashed a window on victim’s vehicle and took a purse and wallet.
In the 500 block of Los Leones, December 14 between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The suspect entered victim’s vehicle and took a purse and wallet.
In the 15800 block of Pacific Coast Highway, December 14 between 3:15 and 3:20 p.m., the suspect smashed a window to enter victim’s vehicle and took a laptop computer and battery pack.
In the 17200 block of Sunset, between December 7 to 8, between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., the suspect entered victim’s vehicle and took a laptop computer and sun glasses.
Moore said it is important to report all crimes. If a crime is not reported, it is not entered into the LAPD database–and crime numbers drive the allocation of officers. If people in Pacific Palisades don’t report crimes, this area is viewed as low crime, which means less police coverage.
To report a crime in progress, call 9-1-1. To report any non-emergency crime, call (877) 275-5273. A crime that has occurred may be reported in person at the West L.A. police station, 1663 Butler Ave. (Call: 310-444-0702).
Additional crimes on the last report include:
Driving with Suspended License
At Minorca and Sunset Boulevard on December 14 at 2:50 p.m., a 33-year-old male was arrested for driving on a suspended license after being stopped for a speeding violation.
Attempted Murder and Assault
In the 17300 block of Sunset Boulevard on December 15, at 10 p.m., a 36-year-old male attempted to murder his mother by striking her several times with his fist causing multiple facial fractures. The suspect was also charged with attempting to stab a victim with the metal rod from a broken rolling pin when the victim attempted to stop the suspect from striking his own mother.
Gee, maybe MORE police (presence) in the Palisades might help too