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Top Stories on This Webpage: Starting August 17, 2006
Report finds no problem with use of force - A consulting firm investigating the Hermosa Beach Police Department recently concluded that the agency does not have a systemic problem with respect to the level of force used by its officers. While declining to offer any formal criticism of the department or any individual officers, the firm did issue 27 recommendations in a 60-page report that seeks to improve the agency's internal policies and procedures.
The report was authored by Ron McCarthy and Sgt. Michael Mello. The two are principals with the firm R.M. McCarthy & Associates, a San Clemente-based firm that specializes in law enforcement-related matters. City Manager Steve Burrell hired the company earlier this year to conduct a formal study of the Police Department's policies and procedures regarding the use of force/deadly force.
Police catch car burglar - A recent call to the Police Department led to an incident involving officers chasing an individual through the streets of Hermosa Beach on foot early in the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 15. Akima J. Blake, 26, of Los Angeles, was taken into custody after fleeing the scene of an interrogation near Fourth Street and Manhattan Avenue. Police received a call from a local resident reporting suspicious activity at approximately 4:30 a.m. According to a press release issued earlier this week, the caller reported seeing a man enter a small dark parked car through the right rear door. The caller, a woman, continued to watch as the man used a flashlight in the car. The statement goes on to state that Blake was observed by an officer lying across the front seat, of a car whose right rear window appeared to have been recently smashed.
City officially welcomes new chief -
Hermosa Beach officially welcomed new Police Chief Greg Savelli at an
event held last weekend in front of City Hall. The ceremony attracted a vast
array of community leaders, including City Manager Steve Burrell, City Attorney
Mike Jenkins, Councilmen J.R. Reviczky and Kit Bobko, and Mayor Pete Tucker,
among others.
Savelli takes the reins of
the department at a precarious time for the city. Several issues remain
unresolved that could potentially cause great damage to the city's reputation
and/or financial well-being. Foremost among them is a year-old investigation by
the federal government stemming from the arrest of an off-duty LAPD officer in
2003. After the Los Angeles field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
opened an investigation last year, the case has since been transferred to the
Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department. A spokesperson with the DOJ
would not comment on the investigation, except to say that the matter is still
open.
Taste' event to benefit historical museum -Hermosa Beach may be known for its sandy beaches, volleyball tournaments and lively bar scene, but connoisseurs of the local food circuit may also soon rejoice at news of the arrival of Taste at the Beach, a fund-raising event sponsored by the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club. Taking place later this month, the event will allow people to partake in sampling some of the best dishes from a wide swath of the city's restaurants and wineries. The event is scheduled to last from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20. It will be held directly outside of the Hermosa Beach Community Center. Participants are encouraged to wander through the Hermosa Beach Museum to soak up the city's history, while enjoying the food and wine. More than 14 restaurants have already signed on to participate in the event, offering up a wide variety of styles, including Italian, Mexican and American dishes. Tickets for the event are $50 per person and can be purchased online at www.hermosakiwanis.org/ or by phone at (310) 318-0171.
Hermosa Beach Crime Watch -
BATTERY. Someone was the alleged victim of an assault on July 19 at 8:30 a.m. As the victim was walking southbound along the beach, she was approached from behind by another individual who introduced himself as Corey. The suspect tried to give the victim a business card, and after she refused he grabbed her by the right arm and pulled her closer to him. The woman was able to pull back and free herself from the suspect.
HB City Officials propose $25 million budget - Hermosa Beach city officials propose to spend almost $25 million during the next year on salaries, renovations and a host of projects with well more than one-fourth of the budget slated for the Police Department, an increase of about 11 percent.
Officials released their budget blueprint earlier this month. The compendium represents the monetary wishes and expectations of the city employees and their leaders. By law, the Hermosa Beach City Council is required to adopt an annual budget by June 30. According to the budget blueprint, officials propose to spend $24.7 million to run and improve the city. Officials are asking taxpayers to foot an increase of $1.2 million from last year, an increase of 5.3 percent.
Hermosa Beach Police arrest suspects in identity theft ring - A group suspected of identity theft was taken into custody by Hermosa Beach Police recently after one of its members was arrested while attempting to cash a check using a counterfeit California Drivers License. The suspect, Gary Jason Young of Highland, Calif., was incarcerated after officials at a local bank noticed the discrepancy. Information from Young's arrest subsequently led to the incarceration of five other individuals suspected of partaking in a multi-state fraud ring. When reached for comment, Sgt. Paul Wolcott of the Hermosa Beach Police Department stated that all of the victims were notified and that most of the incidents occurred out of the area. Primarily, the identity theft occurred in Orange County, said Wolcott. I don't have a definitive number of victims, though, he added.
Bobko to take fifth seat on Hermosa council - The tightly contested battle for a City Council seat that pitted four candidates split into a two-way contest as ballots were counted late Tuesday with lawyer and astronaut's son Patrick Kit Bobko capturing the post over longtime Hermosa residents.
Bobko, perhaps the best campaigner of the group, won the vacant seat with 41 percent of the balloting, or 1,287 votes. Jeff Duclos, a public relations consultant, finished second with 36 percent, a tally of 1,145 votes. It feels good. I haven't had any bad victories, said Bobko. Jeff is such a well-known guy, I wouldn't have been surprised if the margin had been smaller.
Three council candidates boycott forum - Three of the four candidates who battled for the City Council seat filled after Tuesday's voting touched off a pre-election day dustup when all but one skipped a televised political forum hours before it began. The surprising move by a trio of political challengers - rejecting an election-eve appearance before voters - turned what was slated as a candidates' forum into a discussion between an office-seeker and the audience. The Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Association organized the event, which was planned as the watchdog group's first political forum. Candidates Patrick Kit Bobko, who was declared the winner of Tuesday's election, Jeff Maxwell and Jeff Duclos told the association they would not attend via e-mails sent some six hours before the broadcast. Janice Brittain, an education administrator, was the sole attendee.
What Is Your Opinion? Is Crime In Hermosa Beach Becoming More Dangerous?
Assault With a Deadly Weapon: 2:06 a.m. April 9, 00 block of Pier Avenue. Police arrested one man on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly hitting and kicking the victim, who was taken to a hospital for treatment. A second man, who may also have hit the victim, left with a third man.
Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach Crime Close-Up. Years 1998 to 2004 Crime Stat Comparison http://www.hbneighborhood.org/1%20HB%20CrimeNews%202006%201.htm
Women attacked in 3 incidents near Pier Plaza in Hermosa Beach - Police fear two late-night incidents in the vicinity of bars are the work of one man, who may have also committed a 2004 assault in the same area. All three women were walking alone. Police in Hermosa Beach issued a warning Thursday for women to avoid walking alone late at night from Pier Plaza bars following two attacks that might be related to a brutal assault last year. Investigators speculate that the man -- dubbed the "Late Night Attacker" -- was attempting to rape his victim Sunday when he grabbed her as she walked on Monterey Avenue in the south end of the city. "We don't know what the motivation for the attacks is," Sgt. Paul Wolcott said. "They haven't actually been completed but ... the intent of the attacker was for sexually assaulting the victim."
The Beach Reporter August 17, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Report finds no problem with use of force
A consulting firm
investigating the Hermosa Beach Police Department recently concluded that
the agency does not have a systemic problem with respect to the level of
force used by its officers. While declining to offer any formal criticism of
the department or any individual officers, the firm did issue 27
recommendations in a 60-page report that seeks to improve the agency's
internal policies and procedures.
The report's conclusion
exonerates the department, finding that no pattern of abuse is evident and
that the level of force used by police officers was almost always
reasonable, justified, and in compliance with the law, policy and
contemporary practice.
In addition to the use of
force, the report goes on to agree with the department's current policy that
microcassette recorders should be used during officers' interactions with
confrontational or uncooperative individuals. The report states that
mandatory audio-taping will eliminate 90 percent of use-of-force and
rudeness complaint allegations. |
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The Beach Reporter August 17, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Police catch car burglar
A recent call to the Police
Department led to an incident involving officers chasing an individual
through the streets of Hermosa Beach on foot early in the morning of
Tuesday, Aug. 15. Akima J. Blake, 26, of Los Angeles, was taken into custody
after fleeing the scene of an interrogation near Fourth Street and Manhattan
Avenue.
In addition to the tools,
police allegedly discovered a car parked in the vicinity that was thought by
officers to be owned by Blake. The car reportedly included several car
stereo systems, CDs and a purse that had been stolen from a Hermosa Beach
resident. Blake is being held currently by the Police Department without
bail, due in part to his alleged parole violation. |
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The Beach Reporter August 17, 2006
Hermosa Beach Crime Watch HARASSING PHONE CALLS. A victim living in the 1200 block of Corona Street allegedly received two harassing phone calls between Monday July 10 and Thursday Aug. 10. The victim owns a medical referral service business. He recently terminated an employee, after which he allegedly began receiving the threatening calls. The first caller allegedly identified himself as a friend of this employee and stated You owe us eighty large and we will be paying you a visit. Later, the victim received another call in which the caller reportedly stated, I have two guys in Hermosa Beach that will come slit your throat! After the victim replied, And? the caller continued, stating, How about I start with your neighbor?
PETTY THEFT. A cell phone was reportedly stolen from a car on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m. The incident allegedly occurred in the 1300 block of Manhattan Avenue. The victim left his car for a short period of time to make a delivery. He returned to find a Nokia i860 cell phone missing.
VEHICLE BURGLARY. Unknown suspects allegedly removed glasses, CDs, and a stereo's face plate between 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, and 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10. The victim was unsure if the car was locked.
THEFT. An aluminum hydraulic jack was allegedly stolen from a construction site in the 2000 block of PCH. The hydraulic jack was estimated to be worth $2,000 and was a rental from Trench Shoring Inc. The incident allegedly occurred between 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, and 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10.
BATTERY. A woman was reportedly the victim of an assault on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at 12:15 p.m. The victim was walking her dog near the 1600 block of The Strand when another individual jogging southbound allegedly stated, You bimbo, get your (expletive) dog off the beach! After ignoring the comments, the individual allegedly ran by again and said, I told you to get your dog off the beach! He then reportedly grabbed her by the shirt (near the neck) and started to pull her off the sand. Another individual reportedly managed to separate the two. Manhattan Beach Crime Watch SLASHED TIRES. Sometime between July 30 at about 7 p.m. and July 31 at about 8 a.m., the tire of a car parked in the 900 block of Marine Avenue was slashed. In a separate incident, sometime on July 28 at about 11 p.m. and July 29 at about 6:30 a.m., two tires of a car parked in the 900 block of Ninth Street were slashed. According to the police report, the victim's neighbors have had their tires slashed on six different occasions in the last six months.
CONCEALED WEAPON. On July 30 at about 1:30 a.m., a police officer traveling southbound in the 500 block of Sepulveda Boulevard in a marked patrol car spotted a silver Cadillac driving in front of him. The suspect vehicle continued through an intersection, despite the light having turned red. The officer then followed the car and pulled it over to conduct a return traffic violation. When the driver handed over his identification, a records check indicated that he was on probation for a marijuana offense. The officer asked the driver to step out of the car, which he did, and then he asked the suspect if he had any contraband in the car. The suspect hesitated and then said no. Another officer arrived on the scene to help with a search of the vehicle. Along with the driver, there were two female passengers and a male passenger in the suspect car. The police officer asked the suspect driver again if he had any hidden drugs or illegal contraband in the car; the suspect then admitted to having a gun in the glove compartment. Handcuffs were then put on the suspect driver and a search of the vehicle conducted. A loaded semi-automatic weapon was found. No drugs were found. The suspect was arrested; the passengers, who said they knew nothing about the gun, were not arrested. A records check indicated that the Los Angeles Police Department reported the gun found by Manhattan Beach Police officers in the car was reported stolen.
SCHOOL BURGLARIZED. On Aug. 11, the property manager of a building in the 1700 block of Laurel Avenue where a school is located reported that the building had been broken into, and several offices and rooms had been ransacked. Several computers were stolen along with other office supplies.
UNWANTED HOUSE GUESTS. A woman house sitting for a family on vacation left the residence in the 1500 block of Eighth Street at about 1 p.m. and returned to the house on Aug. 13 at about 8 p.m. She reported that unknown people had been in the house. When she arrived back at the house she noticed that the front door was closed but open and she knows that she locked the front when she left. She did report that a second-level balcony door was left open. When she entered the house and began walking through it, she noticed that there were empty beer cans throughout the living room and it appeared in disarray, even though she said that she left the house very neat. When she went into the master bedroom, she noticed that the bathtub was half full with dirty water and she found a message on a napkin written in pink ink that said several things, including thanks for letting us party in this house. It was signed, Love everybody. Nothing seemed to be missing. The police spoke via telephone with members of the family. The parents, who have a teenage son, believe it could be people they know and want to press charges. The police dusted and found fingerprints. Redondo Beach Crime Watch DISTURBANCE. Police arrested a man for allegedly being under the influence of drugs and obstructing police in the performance of their duties in the 800 block of El Redondo Aug. 8 at about 11:45 p.m. Officers had received several calls about a subject running through yards. Officers arrived at the scene and contacted the man, who refused to stop. Police captured the man, but only after he ran through more yards and across a rooftop.
BRANDISHING A FIREARM. Police searched for two men who reportedly brandished a handgun at two women sitting on a bench in the 400 block of South Pacific Coast Highway Aug. 9 at about 10:40 p.m. The women reported that two men drove by slowly and gawked at them. When one of the women told the occupants to keep going, the driver backed up and pointed a handgun at them. The victims retreated into a nearby bar and told a policeman who happened to be inside conducting a business check. Officers were unable to locate the suspects.
SHOOTINGS. Police have opened an investigation into two separate BB gun shootings. The first occurred at Blossom Lane and Voorhees Avenue Aug. 10 at about 2 a.m. Two men were jogging when a vehicle approached and one of the occupants fired a BB gun at them. Minutes later, a second victim called to report a similar incident. There were no physical injuries in either incident.
ROBBERY. Two men reportedly robbed a group of people at gunpoint, stealing a cell phone, watch, money and bank cards from them in the 2500 block of Nelson Avenue Aug. 12 at 4:20 a.m. |
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The Beach Reporter August 10, 2006
Hermosa Beach News City officially welcomes new chief
Hermosa Beach officially welcomed new Police Chief Greg Savelli at an
event held last weekend in front of City Hall. The ceremony attracted a vast
array of community leaders, including City Manager Steve Burrell, City
Attorney Mike Jenkins, Councilmen J.R. Reviczky and Kit Bobko, and Mayor
Pete Tucker, among others.
The
Beach Reporter: What are some of the goals you hope to accomplish during
your time here as chief?
What
have you been told about Hermosa Beach from other officials? What can you
tell us that you've been told about Hermosa Beach? |
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The Beach Reporter August 10, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Taste' event to benefit historical museum
Hermosa Beach may be known
for its sandy beaches, volleyball tournaments and lively bar scene, but
connoisseurs of the local food circuit may also soon rejoice at news of the
arrival of Taste at the Beach, a fund-raising event sponsored by the
Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club. Taking place later this month, the event will
allow people to partake in sampling some of the best dishes from a wide
swath of the city's restaurants and wineries.
Taste at the Beach
originated after Rick Koenig, president of the Hermosa Beach Historical
Society, approached the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club with a request for
assistance. Koenig's intent was to garner the assistance of local
organizations to raise funds to complete the expansion of the Hermosa Beach
Historical Museum in time for the city's centennial celebration, held early
next year. |
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The Beach Reporter August 10, 2006
Hermosa Beach Crime Watch RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY. A residence in the 100 block of Sixth Street was reportedly burglarized Aug. 2 at 2 p.m. Three bicycles were allegedly taken from an open garage. A woman employed by the owner was home at the time, but did not investigate when she heard noises in the garage because she believed it was the owner.
BATTERY. An employee at an establishment in the 1300 block of Hermosa Avenue was reportedly the subject of an assault Aug. 6. The incident allegedly occurred between 8:10 and 8:20 p.m., and involved an altercation between a doorman and another individual. The suspect was reportedly denied entrance into the establishment due to a dress code requiring pants. Upon hearing this, the suspect allegedly used an open right hand to slap the left side of the victim's face.
BOMB THREAT. An employee of a business located in the 1500 block of Valley Drive was allegedly the recipient of a bomb threat from one of its customers. The suspect allegedly informed the dispatch person that if an appointment was not kept to restore the customer's cable, the individual would appear in person and bomb the business.
BATTERY. Someone was the alleged victim of an assault on July 19 at 8:30 a.m. As the victim was walking southbound along the beach, she was approached from behind by another individual who introduced himself as Corey. The suspect tried to give the victim a business card, and after she refused he grabbed her by the right arm and pulled her closer to him. The woman was able to pull back and free herself from the suspect.
GRAND THEFT. Two Schwinn bicycles were reportedly stolen from the 1000 block of The Strand between 10:15 p.m. July 15 and 7:30 a.m. July 16. Each bicycle was worth approximately $1,000.
VANDALISM. A 2003 Chevy Tahoe was allegedly keyed while parked near the intersection of Hermosa Avenue and 10th Street. The incident allegedly occurred between 7 and 10:30 p.m. July 15. |
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The Beach Reporter August 3, 2006
Hermosa Beach Crime Watch DEADLY WEAPON ASSAULT. Someone riding a bike on The Strand was allegedly shot with a pellet from an Airsoft pellet gun July 12 at 5:08 p.m. The victim was riding with his friend northbound in the 200 block of The Strand when his friend realized someone standing in the vicinity had shot something at the victim. The suspect did not know the victim, who was not injured by the incident.
VEHICLE BURGLARY. A vehicle parked in the garage of an apartment complex in the 400 block of Herondo Street was allegedly burglarized on July 12, at an unspecified time. A cell phone, sunglasses, and yoga bag worth approximately $100 were reportedly stolen from the vehicle.
VEHICLE BURGLARY. Several items were reportedly stolen from a vehicle parked in the 1700 block of Monterey Boulevard between 7 p.m. July 14 and 10 a.m. July 15. The victim's California Drivers' License, a handicap placard and the vehicle's stereo were reportedly stolen.
VANDALISM. Someone reportedly smashed a victim's car windshield between 9:50 and 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 15. The vehicle was parked in the lower parking lot located at 702 Pier Ave.
BATTERY. On Sunday, July 16, at 12:46 a.m., several individuals were involved in an incident at a Pier Plaza establishment that led the citation of two people for misdemeanor battery. As a woman danced with two of her friends in the establishment, a man approached them on the dance floor and asked the woman to dance. After she refused, words were exchanged between the two parties. Each party claims to be the victim of an assault. |
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The Beach Reporter June 22, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Officials propose $25 million budget
Hermosa Beach city officials propose to spend almost $25 million during
the next year on salaries, renovations and a host of projects with well more
than one-fourth of the budget slated for the Police Department, an increase
of about 11 percent.
In terms of percentage
increase, officials plan to bestow the largest on salaries and other
administrative costs related to the Public Works Department. Officials have
asked for $713,145 for that, an increase of some $72,000 or 11.25 percent. |
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The Beach Reporter June 22, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Hermosa Beach Police arrest suspects in identity theft ring
A group suspected of
identity theft was taken into custody by Hermosa Beach Police recently after
one of its members was arrested while attempting to cash a check using a
counterfeit California Drivers License. The suspect, Gary Jason Young of
Highland, Calif., was incarcerated after officials at a local bank noticed
the discrepancy.
According to the press
release, after obtaining the identities of numerous Southern California
residents, the suspects would then travel to Illinois to establish
fictitious businesses and use the new records to open bank accounts. They
would then allegedly deposit counterfeit checks and withdraw cash at a later
time. All of the suspects were taken into custody at various locations
across Southern California without incident and are awaiting extradition to
Illinois. |
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The Beach Reporter June 15, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Restriping gets mostly thumbs down
The city's road test of an
upper Pier Avenue with one less lane in each direction has conked out with
scores of motorists yet received a bright green light from many businesses
along the strip. |
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The Beach Reporter June 15, 2006
Hermosa Beach News HB City Council wrap
Hermosa went on record as
the latest California community to ban smoking on the beach. The City
Council approved the move unanimously. The move to forbid smoking of all
forms on the sand and seashore began some years ago.
Recently Torrance joined the effort
following Manhattan Beach and a host of other beach communities along the
coast.
Walking men -
The Beach Cities Health District cut the tension at this week's City Council
meeting when it presented large blue coffee-styled mugs and nifty pedometers
to the panel's members. Joanne Edgerton, wife of Councilman Sam Edgerton,
presented the council with the gifts to memorialize their participation in a
district effort to promote walking.
Mayor
Peter Tucker was singled out as someone who'd walked many miles. Tucker said
his efforts totaled some 138,000 steps, suggesting his new pedometer won't
collect dust. |
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The Beach Reporter June 8, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Bobko to take fifth seat on Hermosa council
The tightly contested
battle for a City Council seat that pitted four candidates split into a
two-way contest as ballots were counted late Tuesday with lawyer and
astronaut's son Patrick Kit Bobko capturing the post over longtime Hermosa
residents. |
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The Beach Reporter June 8, 2006
Hermosa Beach News Three council candidates boycott forum
Three of the four
candidates who battled for the City Council seat filled after Tuesday's
voting touched off a pre-election day dustup when all but one skipped a
televised political forum hours before it began.
Janice Brittain, an education administrator, was the sole attendee. |
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KCBS-TV Channel 2 News at 5 PM -
Hermosa Beach Police Issue Warning To Women - Broadcast on 7/29/05 at 5pm.
Hermosa Beach Police detectives believe the two incidents may be linked to a March 8, 2004, attack on a woman who was dragged into a stairwell and beaten.
View the CBS-TV Channel 2 news story on the Pier Plaza Assaults . . . You need Windows Media Player in order get the audio/video of this CBS-TV news story reported by Paul Dandridge.
HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (CBS) Hermosa Beach police are warning women to avoid walking alone from Pier Plaza nightspots following two attempted assaults possibly committed by the same man who attacked a woman last year. Detectives told the Daily Breeze that they believe the man -- dubbed the "Late Night Attacker" -- was trying to rape a woman when he grabbed her as she walked on Monterey Avenue in the south end of the city early Sunday. The victim was walking alone at 2:15 a.m. on a well-lighted sidewalk when a muscular man confronted her. The woman was able to escape by kneeing him in the groin, police said. On July 8 about 3:30 a.m., a woman was walking home from the downtown area in a dimly lighted alley near 10th Street and Monterey Avenue when a man tried to force her into a car, the Daily Breeze reported. That woman also managed to escape. If you have any information related to the incidents, please call Detective Robert Higgins at 310-318-0341.
The Beach Reporter - February 3, 2005
Hermosa Beach News
Annual police report cites 2004 crime stats (2/3)
By Whitney Youngs
According to Hermosa Beach's annual statistical report for 2004, major crime in most categories exhibited a downward direction compared to 2003, but just like in 2003, there was a continued upward trend in the category of the number of adults arrested.
According to the report, of the major crimes reported - murder, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft and auto theft - the police documented 714 crimes in 2004 compared to 752 crimes reported in 2003.
"It's always been described to me over the years that our crime rate is somewhat flat and I think this year's report is still somewhat characteristic of that," said Hermosa Beach Police Chief Mike Lavin. "We are up in a few categories, we are down in a few others. There are no real significant changes."
Police reported no murders this year compared to one last year while sex crimes declined from 11 cases in 2003 to seven cases in 2004.
The murder reported in 2003 was that of Hermosa Beach resident Joel Bues, 25, who was killed in his car at the intersection of Pier Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway in March 2003 at approximately 12:45 a.m.
Bues was shot to death while driving his BMW, which he pulled up to a red light at the intersection in the outside left-hand turning lane. Police were never sure if the shooting was a random act of violence or if Bues knew the suspect.
According to the report, robbery rose slightly with 20 cases reported in 2004 compared to 13 in 2003.
Assaults increased by only three cases from 140 in 2003 to 143 in 2004. On the other hand, burglary reports declined by three cases from 143 in 2003 to 140 in 2004.
Theft, which includes grand and petty thefts, and auto theft also declined in 2004. In the area of theft, police reported 388 cases in 2003 compared to 359 in 2004; and in auto thefts, police had reported 80 in 2002 and 56 in 2003, which are both up from 2004's 45 reported cases. DUI reports also decreased from 285 in 2003 to 164 in 2004.
"I not sure exactly why we have seen a drop in DUIs," said Lavin. "We still participate with the South Bay DUI Task Force which deploys every month. In addition to that, we are still out there doing our own thing."
Police continued arresting more people this year with 1,388 adults arrested. The figure continues to grow each year, setting new records in more than a decade. Police arrested 1,315 adults in 2003, which had already constituted the highest number of arrests since 1991.
"I think the large number of arrests is a result of the activity downtown," added Lavin. "It brings us an awful lot of business.
I'm not sure if we are necessarily seeing larger crowds. My impression is that the size is very much the same over the years. What we are seeing is a very transient crowd - a lot of different people who are circulating through just in the different people we arrest. People who are in the area have heard about Hermosa Beach and want to come check it out."
Juvenile arrests in 2004 were reported at 20 compared to 28 in 2003.
Police once again reported no fatal traffic accidents in 2004, 2003 or 2002; and reported 60 injury traffic accidents in 2004 compared to 88 in 2003. In the downtown area, the Police Department has had to staff foot patrols in the downtown area virtually every night of the week, which is an indication that the area has become more active during the week as well as the weekends.
"It remains busy on the weekends, in particular, but even now during the week it's busy, busy enough where we would never staff foot patrols down there at night we are now staffing them about six nights of the week," explained Lavin.
"We almost have to maintain a presence down there to kind of keep things under rein. People get intoxicated and start fighting, and if we weren't down there to stop it, we would see our misdemeanor batteries escalating into felony assaults with deadly weapons.
Someone could even go to the point of killing someone else just because they are in a drunken stupor and they're doing something really stupid. So really one of the real basic missions of the officers down there is to try and stop those disturbances from getting out of hand."
The number of police calls for service decreased this year from 32,241 to 30,215 while the number of disturbance calls rose from 3,025 to 4,201. The number of parking citations also increased from 46,800 to 51,137.
Hermosa Beach
Crime Statistics - 1998 to 2004Criminal Adult Total Calls Disturbance Burglary Robbery Assaults DUI Citations Arrests For Service Calls
1998 -- 113 17 77 150 562 608 19,951 3,199
2004 -- 140 20 143 164 1,419 1,388 30,215 4,201
Crime Categories That Have Shown an Increase from 1998 thru 2004
Criminal Adult Total Calls Disturbance
Burglary Robbery Assaults DUI Citations Arrests For Service Calls
Up Up Up Up Up Up Up Up
23.9 % 17.6 % 85.7 % 9.3 % 152 % 128 % 51.4 % 31.3 %
Source: The Hermosa Beach Police Department Activity Reports
The Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Association
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