Operations-West Bureau ... all in all, a good report
All's "quiet" on the western front (comparatively speaking)
October 15, 2002

As he prepares to leave office, Chief of Police Martin Pomeroy has asked the Commanding Officers of the four LAPD Bureaus to make presentations to the Board of Police Commissioners. Chief Pomeroy wants to offer the Board a current Status Report from each quadrant of the Department -- the South, Central, West and Valley Bureaus.

Deputy Chief Willie Pannell, Commanding Officer of Operations-South Bureau, was asked to come to Parker Center first, appearing on September 10th.
.....(click here to read about the 9/10/02 South Bureau Status Report).

Next, Deputy Chief Ronald Bergmann, Commanding Officer of Operations-Valley Bureau, came before the Commission, appearing on September 17th.
.....(click here to read about the 9/17/02 Valley Bureau Status Report).

Then, on September 24th, Commander Lee Carter sat in for the commanding officer of Central Bureau, Deputy Chief Margaret York, to give the Central Bureau Report.
.....(click here to read about the 9/24/02 Central Bureau Status Report).

Deputy Chief David J. Kalish, Commanding Officer of Operations-West Bureau, came to Parker Center to give the final Bureau Status Report on October 15th. LAPD Chief of Police Martin Pomeroy, introduced him to the four members of the Board of Police Commissioners present. Only Commissioner Silvia Saucedo missed the presentation. West Bureau is home to four LAPD Divisions, Hollywood, Wilshire, Pacific, and West Los Angeles Divisions. Its 1,100 officers serve a population of just under a million people, covering an area of about 124 square miles ... an area that includes the LAX airport.

Deputy Chief David J. Kalish

Deputy Chief Kalish described the crime situation in West Bureau, and discussed the strategies used there to combat crime.

Compared to the same time last year, violent crime is down 2%, and "Part 1" crimes, the most serious, are about the same. There have been 62 homicides year to date in West Bureau compared to 60 at this point last year. Deputy Chief Kalish said this constitutes about 12% of the city-wide homicides, and estimates that 45% are gang related. Arrests are up 63%.

The Bureau has had 2,600 of the 13,000 robberies reported across the city.

West Bureau has an Anti-Gang Task Force, a Robbery Task Force, and has expanded the technology it uses to track crime. It has employed a new and innovative system called a "Smart Board" which is capable of providing real-time information directly to roll calls. The Chief said he'd love to see the other three Bureaus pick up on this.

Probation and Parole officials participate at the Bureau, which used a full spectrum law enforcement approach that includes the Senior Lead Officers, Special Enforcement Units, and a CLEAR Program. There's also a Homeless Outreach Task Force and Youth-at-Risk programs.

As much as possible, the Bureau uses a mult-language approach.

Community policing is a strong element of the crime prevention plan at West Bureau. The C-PABs are quite active and have subcommittees that address specific programs / topics / events. Among other things there's a Bureau wide Stop the Violence Campaign, regular candlelight vigils, and Citizen Police Academies that are conducted in a variety of languages.

In addition there are training sessions for hotel and business owners, many of who deal with the considerable number of tourist that are in the West Bureau area every day.

West Bureau SLOs work on a variety of quality of life issues, and the Area works in close contact with the Office of the Mayor.

A unique "Good Deed Program" has been established. It allows police officers to commend other officers simply by filling out a form that gets passed on to Deputy Chief Kalish. This brings to his attention those whose deeds are admired by their peers in his command, and after he reviews the details he sends each of them a letter of congratulations and appreciation.

As the Chief wrapped up his report, Commission President Rick Caruso asked for an update on the status of a triple homicide that had happened in West Bureau earlier this year.

Deputy Chief Kalish reviewed the circumstances of the crime, which occurred at night just outside a fast food restaurant. He reported that information developed by the Department indicate that this was not a random attack. The victims appeared to be targeted, and it seemed to be gang related.

Detectives continue to work on the case, and have leads they are still following up.

Chief Pomeroy and the Commission thanked Deputy Chief Kalish for his report.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are just some of the upcoming West Bureau community events:

EVENT Thursday, October 31, 2002 (6:30 pm)
Pacific Division's Annual Halloween Haunted House, held at the Pacific Area Community Police Station, 12312 Culver Boulevard
For more information call: Sgt. Akune Pacific Community Relations Office 310 / 202-4524

EVENT Monday, November 6, 2002 (7:00 pm to 9:30 pm)
West Los Angeles Area Annual Town Hall Meeting for Operations-West Bureau, Venice High School 13000 Venice Boulevard
For more information call: Community Relations Office 310 / 575-8431

EVENT Tuesday, November 12, 2002 (10:00 am)
Wilshire Division Clergy Council Meeting, 2nd Tuesday of each month, Wilshire Community Police Station, 4861 West Venice Boulevard
For more information call: Community Relations 213 / 473-0200

Please see the LACP Calendar for more details, and to find other upcoming events in your area.