Want to Solve Problems?
Don't Be Afraid - Call the Police !

by an Los Angeles Police Volunteer

It is amazing to me that after more than twelve years of being involved in Community Policing-Neighborhood Watch, and the past eight years as a Los Angeles Police Volunteer, I see so many of my fellow community members still don't get it, or are sleeping through the meetings they attend! I read through a few of the Letters to the Editor, and I see that many people still want an LAPD unit in their driveway, 24/7, solving all their problems, so they can go about their day, without getting involved. Guess what folks -- that won't be happening!

There are several ways to get Police Service, and Extra Patrols, and many other solutions to all of these problems, but writing a letter to this Website, or whining at meetings is not one of them! You have to call the Police -- at the time the incident is occurring -- not the next day!

Unreported crime helps the criminals, and does not improve your community, but rather adds to the drop in quality of life in your community. LAPD is tracking the areas where the crime statistics take them. If you are afraid to call, then your area will not get the resources, and the areas that have reported crimes will get more officers! It sounds simple, and it is!

You do not need to be identified when you call, and if you are calling dispatch, give the location where the crime is....do not give your address..and indicate to the dispatcher you do not want Police contact. If you give enough good suspect information, the dispatcher will put it out, and the officers will find them. Please understand though that if the suspects are gone, the Officers will be too, and on to the next call. If the problem is on-going...keep calling, or have your neighbors call too!

Are there times to call your Senior Lead Officer--yes, but do not abuse them. I have answered so many calls from community members (and you know who you are) who wrote down all the phone numbers of Narcotics, Gangs, Vice, etc., at a community meeting, and now they are on the phone asking when "Senior Lead Officer Whomever" will be back, because they need to tell them something that happened "Last Tuesday"---Wrong!

Remember, the person writing this does not work for the LAPD-but the fact that I am a community member and a volunteer member of the department gives me a unique perspective. I see first hand how the lack of knowledge and fear of getting involved further hampers the efforts of some very dedicated men and women getting a very tough job done!

This Website does a great service, and I applaud Bill Murray for all his efforts! It is another form of volunteerism from a community member who stays awake and listens at all those meetings, and likely is selective as to which ones are worth attending, as am I.

Again folks, I put in many hours of my own time to try to make a difference, volunteering in a variety of positions, with pride in what I do, and I am proud to serve with some of the best people in Law Enforcement. Please, call and report the issues that you all talk about, but likely never leave a message about, or hang up rather than waiting when you call 1-877-ASK-LAPD. I have over 2500 hours of experience just answering calls at the Front Desk, so I know what information comes in for the officers to respond to calls with--not much.

We have the system that we have, for now, and we have to work with it. It is not going to change tomorrow to a "Donald Trump" version of the LAPD, with 35,000 officers and 15 Blackhawk Helicopters (Which would be nice).
So make those calls-from a pay phone if you have to, but get the information to the officers, make it comprehensive, with good descriptions, and in a timely manor, so they can do an already difficult job with some support!

Thank you, and remember - 1-877-ASK-LAPD