Brentwood crime surged this past month with an eruption in residential burglaries, according to LAPD West Los Angeles Senior Lead Officer Maria Gray.
“Our burglaries are through the roof,” Gray said at the Brentwood Community Council meeting May 5. “Unfortunately, it’s primarily in [Los Angeles Police Department] reporting district 825, which to you all is simply San Vicente Blvd. to the south, 26th to the west, Gretna Green to the east, and Sunset to the north. That’s not to say burglaries aren’t happening other places, but in that vicinity, there was a pattern, a distinctive uptick.”
In response, Gray said the LAPD West Los Angeles division saturated the area with “high visibility control,” namely officers on T-3 Patrollers, and dispersed fliers warning the neighborhood in the week of April 22 through May 1.
The other area of concern was in South of Brentwood with burglaries in apartments and condominiums. Gray suggested that building owners buy and install latch and knob guards to front doors.
The latch guards protect against a burglar’s prying tools, and a knob guard prevents prying or wrenching on the knob until it falls off. Burglary is a crime of opportunity, leading Gray to remind the community of quick and cheap home security and burglary prevention advice.
She emphasized the importance leaving the radio on while the house is empty.
Burglars will often “go from door to door, looking for any signs of people inside, and if you make a habit of just turning your radio on before you leave, just make a habit of letting the whole family know they have to … turn the radio or stereo on before they leave, it’s almost as effective as having big dogs,” Gray said. “It’s cheap, there’s nothing to install, there’s no monthly commitment, there’s no contract. Very inexpensive and its very, very effective.”
The senior lead officer also urged residents and business owners to prioritize the threat of thefts and create extensive barriers to burglary.
“The pendulum is not just swinging, it’s hitting us in the head,” she said. “The problem is that in Brentwood, even when it gets bad, its mot nearly as bad in the other areas. So getting resources is difficult.”
Leaving lights on, especially in dark areas like doors and windows, remembering to set alarms and locking all points of entrances were other suggestions to hinder break-ins. Gray ended with a retired burglary detective’s parting words: “Burglaries have become an industry here in Los Angeles. It’s as big an industry as the entertainment business, and we can’t arrest our way out of it.” If you witness a burglary or suspect one, don’t go inside the house or open for business.
For a burglary in progress, call 911. If you see suspicious or unusual activity, call non-emergency dispatch at 877-ASK-LAPD. Residents can also contact Gray with a detailed description of the person or their vehicle with a license plate number, and she will pass on the information to corresponding detectives.
“I get lots of these emails, the community is great about it,” she said.
Gray can be emailed at 30469@ lapd.lacity.org.
