Sheriffs discuss crime statistics for July 2024

The West Hollywood Public Safety Commission met Monday night to hear the latest crime and public safety updates from Lt. Fanny Lapkin and Sgt. Jason Duron of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's West Hollywood Station. They provided an overview of incidents in various districts across the city, the station's efforts during National Night Out and updates on high-profile cases.

Crime statistics and district breakdown

The Sheriff's Department reported a total of 1,811 calls for service in July, including 66 emergency calls. Officers arrested 33 people for serious crimes and 64 for minor misdemeanors. There were 189 Part 1 offenses – serious crimes prosecuted statewide – with thefts making up the majority. In terms of distribution, 58% of the incidents occurred in the West District, which accounted for 110 cases. The downtown area had 37 cases (20%), while the East District reported 41 cases (22%).

Lapkin and Duron noted that pickpocketing increased sharply in July, with 37 cases reported in the Rainbow District. In addition, the department provided newly requested data from SORTS (Sheriff's Online Reporting and Tracking System) and MET (Mental Evaluation Team). SORTS had filed 80 reports, while the MET responded to 50 calls for proactive work to resolve street-level issues.

National Night Out and Community Engagement

The station reported a successful National Night Out, with officers deployed to intersections and side streets to secure the main boulevard. The event was well attended, and there were few incidents requiring attention. However, some officers had to be redirected to respond to major incidents in the city. Captain Bill Moulder and other officers participated in various neighborhood street parties, encouraging citizen involvement.

Current information on spectacular cases

The Sheriff's Department highlighted two significant cases. The first involved an Aug. 6 incident on Santa Monica Boulevard where a minor traffic encounter escalated into a deadly assault. The suspect was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with murder. The second case revolved around a June 14 robbery on Gardner Street where a struggle over a firearm resulted in a shooting. Detectives tracked down the suspect, resulting in an arrest and charges of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and attempted murder.

Community concerns about reporting and safety

Commissioners asked several questions about how reports are handled, particularly in cases where individuals believe they have been drugged. The Sheriff's Department representative explained the process: Officers take reports and collect urine samples for laboratory testing. The representative emphasized that if a victim feels their concerns are not being adequately addressed, they have the right to speak to a supervisor.

Several commissioners expressed concern about reports of people feeling turned away or inadequately served when filing complaints. Lapkin and Duron noted that officers are trained to escalate cases when a victim is dissatisfied and that the department is exploring options such as establishing a victim advocate program. That program would involve community volunteers trained to help victims navigate the reporting process.

Drug tests and investigative tools

There were also questions about the time frame for drug test results. The sheriff's department representative clarified that it usually takes at least a month to get urine test results due to the workload of the individual lab that performs such tests. While some bars use test strips to detect drugs in drinks, those tools are not suitable for urine testing, which requires special lab equipment. Commissioners suggested looking into at-home testing kits and other tools to speed up the process.

Update on police-involved shootings

The commission also asked about the ongoing investigation into a July 20 police-involved shooting on Gardner Street. The department reiterated that the case remains under review by multiple agencies, including the district attorney's office, and no significant updates are available.

Victim Advocacy Program and Future Initiatives

Commissioners expressed support for the proposed victim advocacy program, which aims to train volunteers to assist individuals in reporting crimes. The Sheriff's Department is still in the planning stages, working on the curriculum and seeking trainers. The program is intended to be a community-based effort to improve support for victims and ensure they feel heard and respected.

It has been suggested that the city could be involved in supporting this initiative, possibly through advisory panels based on experience. These groups, which exist in other communities, are made up of people who have been victims of crime and provide feedback on how their cases were handled. The Sheriff's Department is exploring such partnerships as it works out the details of the advocate program.

Public comments and concerns

During the public hearing, resident Nick Roybal raised concerns about how to more effectively integrate the city's Block-by-Block program, particularly when dealing with vulnerable populations in the Rainbow District. He pointed to a recent incident in which a resident was robbed and assaulted near a fire station without security cameras. He also questioned the responsibility of delivery robots when they cause disruptions and suggested that the city should look into regulatory measures similar to those applied to scooter companies.

Another public commenter, Louise E. Smith, asked for a breakdown of scooter fines, pointing out that most of the past violations were committed by out-of-towners. Although direct dialogue is not allowed during public comment, Lapkin and Duron later addressed the question, explaining that data on whether the riders being fined are locals or visitors is not routinely collected but may be something they can investigate.

Future engagement and community events

The commission also discussed the upcoming Community Policing Accounts meeting, tentatively scheduled for November. This event, often used for recruitment, could be an opportunity to recruit volunteers for the Victim Advocacy Program. The Sheriff's Department is currently working on the curriculum and expects to announce more details in the coming months.

Concluding remarks and resource availability

At the conclusion of the meeting, commissioners stressed the importance of improving communication between the public and the Sheriff's Department. Suggestions included displaying more accessible resources in the station lobby, such as instructions on how to file a police report. The Sheriff's Department confirmed that some information is already available at the front desk and encouraged residents to contact the station officer or email the station if they feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed.