Reward Announced for Information on Studio City Hit-and-Run Suspect
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Police officers and victim's family ask for help after a Studio City hit-and-run. Click the image above to hear their plea.
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LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council approved a $50,000 reward motion last week for information leading to the arrest of a driver who allegedly struck and killed a 35-year-old man in Studio City last month.
On August 17, around 11:45 p.m., a white two door Mercedes Benz CL class, with black-paper license plates and yellow lettering was traveling east on Ventura Boulevard just east of Fairway Avenue. Simultaneously, 35-year-old Michael Bonanomi crossed Ventura Boulevard heading north when he was hit by the Mercedes. Bonanomi succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the accident and the driver fled east on Ventura Boulevard in the Mercedes.
Councilmember Krekorian, who introduced the motion in council, urged that drivers be accountable for their action.
"Michael was struck just doing the simple act of crossing the street," he said. "And the car that struck him and took his life was driven by somebody who made the decision to leave the scene, who made the decision not to stop and help, not to call an ambulance, not to call the police."
As she described her lost son, the victim's mother, Eve, asked for justice and closure for the family.
"We're asking for your help to find the person who left our son to die alone and callously sped," she said. "Without knowing who would have done something so cruel, we will never have closure. We ask you in Michael's name, for anyone who has information, to come forward."
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Sun Valley Park Installs
Universal Access Playground
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De Garmo Playground opened last week to the public | Photo by JuanCarlos Chan/Los Angeles Dept of Recreation and Parks
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SUN VALLEY - Councilmember Paul Krekorian cut the ribbon on De Garmo Park Playground in Sun Valley last Thursday, heralding the opening of another Universally Accessible Playground in the district.
The playground, designed for children of all abilities by the Sherman Oaks-based group Shane's Inspiration, provides fully accessible, sensory-rich and physically challenging equipment. This is the fourth all-access playground to open under the leadership of Councilmember Krekorian in Council District 2 in just three years, after the 2011 opening of Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Park, Valley Glen Park in 2012 and Jamie Beth Slavin Park earlier this year.
Prior to the park's opening, local non-profit Sun Valley Graffiti Busters completed a clean-up effort in the park area, collecting four truck loads of trash and more than 50 bags of weeds, foliage and debris.
Councilmember Krekorian applauded the collaboration of city departments and partner organizations for adding another valuable community asset in the Second District.
"Every family deserves safe, fun, sustainable playground equipment in our parks," said the councilmember. "I enjoy seeing the results of this teamwork and collaboration to dedicate the best kind of playground--a universal access playground where children of all abilities can play together fulfilling the wonderful promise of Shane's Inspiration."
De Garmo Park is located on 10126 W. Arminta St. in Sun Valley. [map]
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Safety Program Teaches Students
About Road Hazards
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Pedestrian and bicycle safety rally gives students important tips about road hazards | Photo/CD2
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NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The fifth grade class of Victory Boulevard Elementary School may not be able to drive, but it's not too early to instill important road safety lessons. The students last Tuesday took part in the Dept. of Transportation's Safe Moves program, allowing them to navigate through a miniature city simulated with real world traffic hazards.
The program afforded students the opportunity to learn about safe pedestrian and bicycle skills. According to federal transportation statistics, about 50% of children in the U.S. walked or bicycled to school in 1969, with about 87% living within one mile of school. Today, fewer than 15% of Los Angeles students walk or bike to school. Partially as a result, children today are less active, less independent and less healthy, officials say. Adding to the hazard is the increase in traffic around schools.
Councilmember Krekorian, who spoke during the elementary school's safety rally, encouraged children to be mindful during their journey to and from school while reminding parents about exercising caution when driving near schools.
"Every day, thousands of students walk and bike to and from their neighborhood schools," Councilmember Krekorian said. "This program is a step toward making that journey much safer for these students and their families.
"Pedestrian safety has always been one of my top priorities throughout my service in the Council and in the Legislature, and I am very pleased that state grants such as Safe Routes to Schools and programs such as Safe moves will continue to expand these important public safety measures to benefit the children of the Valley."
This past July, Councilmember Krekorian flipped the switch on a new traffic light at the intersection of Colfax Avenue and Landale Streetnear Walter Reed Middle School in Studio City for safer crosswalks for student and the nearby community. Earlier, the council office worked with LAPD and local agencies to increase enforcement near four major school zones in the second district.
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How to: Burglary Prevention Tips
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department reminds Angelenos, whether it's your home or your car, take preventable measures to reduce the risk of being burglarized.
Each year in the U.S., more than 5 million homes are burglarized. Nine out of 10 burglaries, police say, are preventable. The LAPD advises you to follow these simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars.
- When home, make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in;
- Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed, even for short periods of time;
- Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day;
- Keep your garage door closed and locked;
- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary;
- Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight;
- Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
Also, prevent crimes of opportunity from burglars when valuables are left in plain sight by following the LAPD's "Lock It, Hide It, Keep It" rule of thumb.
- Lock It: Lock your vehicle every time you leave it unattended and always lock your valuables in the trunk;
- Hide It: If you don't have a trunk, hide valuables under the seats, in the glove box, or other compartments within the vehicle;
- Keep It: Personal responsibility is the best prevention to safeguard personal property and to prevent becoming a victim.
To find more information on how to prevent you from being a victim of burglary, theft or other crimes, visit the LAPD website: www.lapdonline.org/crime_prevention.
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Beautification Projects
Completed in Valley Glen
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Graffiti removed | Photo/CD2
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VALLEY GLEN - Four major beautification projects have been completed in the Valley Glen area earlier last month, under the direction of Councilmember Pail Krekorian's office and with help from local non-profit New Direction for Youth and the Bureau of Street Services.
The Office of Councilmember Krekorian directed Street Services to target several medians in Valley Glen that were plagued with overgrown and unkempt trees. Street Services completed tree trimmings in the median north of Victory Boulevard in addition to the medians on Victory Boulevard between Babcock and Goodland avenues.
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Hedges trimmed and pathway cleaned | Photo/CD2
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New Direction for Youth removed graffiti, trimmed the overgrown foliage and cleared trash along the Erwin Street pedestrian walkway, which serves as a safe walking path for students of nearby Erwin Elementary School.
August also heralded the removal of nearly 57 tons of bulky items, such as furniture, mattresses, TVs and other large items. The beautification projects were made possible using special funds for street services from the council office.
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Trees trimmed along the Whitsett medium | Photo/CD2
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Photos from Around the District
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The Bangkok Metropolitan Council delegation recently visited the city of Los Angeles during its tour. Councilmember Krekorian is pictured above with Mr. Pradoemchai Bunchailua, the council's Vice Chairman of the Committee for Economic, Finance, and Follow Up of Budget Utilitzation, and other members of the delegation. | Photo/CD2
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 | | The North Hollywood Arts District welcomed its newest apartment living space, The Hesby. Councilmember Krekorian ushered in the grand opening of the apartment building on August 28. Pictured above with Councilmember Krekorian from left to right: Alicia Scott and Jonas Bronk of Alliance Residential, and Wade Killefer of Killefer Flammang Architects | Photo/The Hesby |
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East Valley High School hosted the grand opening of its Vineland Market last week. The weekly flea market will feature a trove of antique goods, collectibles, clothing, jewelry and more in addition to having live music and food trucks on the scene for market goers. The Vineland Market, located on 5525 Vineland near Burbank Blvd. will be held every Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, with free admission and parking. Click here for more information.
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Keeping Cool in the Summer
LOS ANGELES - Summer may be winding down, at least according to the calendar, but temperatures are still on the rise. It's important to practice hot weather-related safety measures and, as always, never leave your kids or pets alone in the car.
During peak heat hours stay out of the sun; if you do not need to be in it, find an air-conditioned area. It's also important to avoid unnecessary exertion, such as vigorous exercise during peak sun hours, if you are outside or in a non-air conditioned building. And remember to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help you keep cool and avoid a heatstroke. For more information and tips, you can check out Ready L.A. for weather preparedness guides.
Pets are equally prone to suffering heatstroke when left alone in vehicles. Temperatures inside a vehicle can reach upwards of 120 degrees within 30 minutes and cause your pet to suffer irreversible brain damage and or lead to death, according to the Humane Society. Preventing such occurrences also stems from recognizing the signs of a heatstroke for your pet, which include: heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, and unconsciousness, among others.
Be sure to limit exercise for pets on a hot day and provide ample shade and water. For more tips, visit the Humane Society website.
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Volume 4, Issue 24
September 16, 2013
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cd2.lacity.org
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To see a complete list of neighborhood council and community meetings, please check out our
Community Calendar.
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