CD2 News Vol. 3, Issue 8

Crime Reaches Lowest Point Since 1952

North Hollywood resident E. L. Stone (in car) is presented with an orchid for

his safe driving by Bill McCann, Safety Council past president.

Dec. 29, 1947. | Photo/LAPL archives

LOS ANGELES - Crime dropped in Los Angeles for the 10th consecutive year according to the LAPD's mid-year report. And, despite an increased number of homicides in the San Fernando Valley, officials said there's no cause for widespread concern.

So far in 2012, 32 cases of homicide have been reported in the seven divisions of the LAPD throughout the San Fernando Valley, according to the Daily News, compared with 21 at this point last year. A closer look, however, reveals that the spike is mainly due to a rise in crimes in the North Hollywood and Foothill areas. So far this year, nine homicides were reported for the Foothill area and eight for North Hollywood.

In a recent interview with Patch, LAPD Capt. Peter Whittingham, of the North Hollywood Division, shed light on the crime statistics and stated that residents should not be alarmed. Whittingham based his assessment on an 18 percent drop in violent crimes so far this year, including a 35 percent decline in rapes, and reductions in property crimes, burglaries and gang-related crimes.

Of the eight recorded homicides for the North Hollywood area this year, none were gang-related - a cause for celebration, says Whittingham, since this type of violent crime is usually responsible for the majority of murders in Los Angeles. LAPD Deputy Chief Jorge Villegas, of the Valley Bureau, told the Daily news that "most of the Valley homicides involved killers and victims who knew each other; few were random crimes."

Additionally, suspects related to seven of the eight homicides in North Hollywood have been apprehended. The suspect in the last account has been identified, and Whittingham added that he is "very confident [the division] will have him in custody in a short amount of time."

Programs such as Summer Night Lights have helped in the reduction of gang-related crimes, where parks hosting the event saw a 40 percent drop in 2011, according to the Mayor's office.

Overall, according to the mid-year announcement, violent crimes across the Valley have dropped by 16 percent, and Los Angeles is safer than it has been since 1952, said the Mayor.

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Summer Fun

Check out an event near you.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY - The Valley has a host of events to help you pass the dog days of summer with movies, concerts, farmer's markets and more.

If you are looking to channel your inner Michael Phelps, head over to the community pools in North Hollywood, Sun Valley and Van Nuys for a dip. Pool hours for the summer are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

To purchase fresh local products, check out the Studio City Farmer's Market, open every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. From artisan bread and pastries to organic veggies and meat, you can, "come for breakfast and leave with lunch, dinner, and a whole lot more." Shopping at the farmer's market also helps contributes to the community, where a portion of the proceeds go to local charities, schools and other organizations.

The Valley Cultural Center is hosting a free summer concert and movie series as part of its outdoor programming at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills. Movies on the Green is a free event for the family and runs Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. To view the movie line-up, click here. Concert on the Green's upcoming line-up includes tribute bands to Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and more. You can find the concert schedule here.

In North Hollywood, check out NoHo Dine Out Friday Nights, a weekly event to help bring the community and neighbors together. The event is free and features food trucks, street musicians and booth vendors.

Westfield Fashion Square, in Sherman Oaks, is hosting Friday Flick - a free movie event for the public every Friday at 7 p.m. on the dining terrace. You can click here to view the schedule.

To stay connected about future events in CD2 and the Valley, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Beat the Heat at a Cooling Center

Locate a public pool near you by clicking here.

LOS ANGELES - SoCal is going to feel the heat this week as temperatures reach triple digits, but you can take advantage of public pools and cooling centers to beat the heat.

Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Emergency Management Department issued a heat advisory as a result of the National Weather Service's forecast of extremely hot weather conditions for the region. In the San Fernando Valley, temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees. At times of extreme heat, the public can use city facilities to cool off.

The city's libraries, recreation and park facilities, and senior citizen centers are all cooling centers - designated city facilities the public can use to seek refuge from the heat. These facilities are always open to the public during regular business hours. Public pools are another way to stay cool.

We've compiled a list of cooling centers in and around CD2. You can also call 3-1-1 for more information regarding the facilities and hours or check this link for a listing of public pools and their hours.

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Location Set for FAA Meeting

VAN NUYS - Rep. Howard Berman officially announced details regarding a public hearing to be held in conjunction with the FAA regarding helicopter noise.

The congressman invites you to share your "experience with helicopter noise and its impact in the quality of life in [your] neighborhood." The event is scheduled for Monday, August 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Millikan Middle School's Burrill Hall, 5041 Sunnyslope Ave., Sherman Oaks, 91403 [map].

The community gathering will allow the FAA to collect information on the issue and help shape a change in policy. To do that, residents are invited to testify at the hearing, but be advised that speakers will be allowed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The hearing stems from complaints by residents worried that helicopter operators increasingly deviate from prescribed flight paths, travelling instead over residential neighborhoods creating incessant buzzing on their routes. Berman, along with other legislators, wrote to the FAA in May, asking that the meeting be held in order identify and respond to the concerns surrounding the issue.

We previously reported that the event was set to take place on August 6, at the Sherman Oak Adult Center, based on information we received from Rep. Berman's office.

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City Racks up Bike Parking

LOS ANGELES - Last year, the L.A. Department of Transportation installed more than 4,600 bike racks throughout the city. Does your neighborhood need a bicycle parking spot? Here's how the process works, courtesy of Bike Blog:

The Bike Program first compiles a list of business corridors to be checked for possible bike rack installation, with the help and input of local Council District offices. Typically business corridors are selected based on two qualities: being relatively walkable, with features like sidewalk oriented frontages
and/or outdoor dining, and generally lacking substantial bike parking;
After picking a business corridor, the bike rack marking crew (LADOT interns and staff) head out for a visit to mark a swath of bike racks for installation.

So far the initiative has been a huge success, visiting seven business corridors and marking nearly 200 locations for future bike rack installation, the bike blog reports. To apply for a bike rack in your neighborhood: bicyclela.org/RackRequest.htm.

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Volume 3, Issue 8

July 23, 2012

cd2.lacity.org

In This Issue:

Crime At Lowest Point Since 1952

Summer Fun in the Valley

Beat the Heat at a Cooling Center

Location Set for FAA Meeting

City Racks up Bike Parking

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa ordered all flags at Los Angeles City facilities, including this one at City Hall, to be flown at half-staff until July 25 in honor and remembrance of the lives so senselessly lost in Aurora, Colorado. Our hearts go out to all the victim's families as we hope for a speedy recovery for those injured by such an atrocious act of violence.