Hollywood Community Police Station 1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90028
Co-Chairs: Captain Craig Heredia & Alexa Iles Skarpelos
CPAB Secretary: Angela La Riva
Meeting Notes
January 16, 2024
I. Special Recognition
Captain Heredia presented a special recognition award to Heather Beller. Heather is the LAPD
Civilian Supervisor in Hollywood. The LAPD has over 3,500 civilian employees in a variety of
administrative, technical, scientific and administrative support functions. These civilian
employees work with sworn officers to meet the community’s law enforcement and public safety
needs. Heather was named employee of the year in 2022 and has worked for LAPD for almost 30
years. She started her career in 1994 at LAPD’s Northeast Division Station. She later worked at
Central Traffic Division, Van Nuys Division and transferred to Hollywood Division as a Senior
Administrative Clerk in 2000. Captain Heredia recognized Heather’s years of service and her
support of LAPD staff and behind-the-scenes contributions to the mission of LAPD Hollywood
Division.
II. Hollywood Station Command Update
Captain Craig Heredia
Email: [email protected]
Hollywood Division Crime Stats
In the City of Los Angeles overall crime in 2023 was down, with a 17% reduction in homicides and
an overall reduction of 3.2% for violent crimes.
Part 1 Crime
Hollywood Division is leading the City in reduction of Part 1 crimes. Part 1 crimes are serious /
violent crimes (vs. property crime).
• Homicide, down 23%
• Rape, down 11%
• Shootings: 25 less in 2023 vs. 2022
• Robberies: 112 less in 2023 vs. 2022
Retail Theft & Reporting Crimes
Hollywood Division has received funding for an overtime budget targeting organized retail theft.
LAPD Hollywood will be deploying resources to areas where there are large retail losses. The
Commercial Crimes Division is working with other law enforcement partners to combat retail
theft offenders. Detectives are encouraging businesses to upgrade to forensic grade security
cameras. Many businesses are frustrated with laws that have decriminalized crime, however,
citizens should continue to report crimes. Many crimes can now be reported online:
https://www.lapdonline.org/file-a-police-report/
Hollywood Community Police Station 1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90028
Traffic Fatalities
And, for the first time in almost a decade, there were more deaths in the City of Los Angeles as a
result of traffic crashes than homicides this past year. Many of those deaths were the result of
irresponsible or criminal acts (DUI, excessive speed, hit and run, etc.).
Hollywood Division Personnel Announcements
Ralph Sanchez, SLO for Hollywood Hills Area 6A31, will retire on February 29, 2024.
Gary Kukaua, D3 Robbery Detective also recently retired.
III. Government Officials Updates
The following representatives in attendance gave quick updates:
Anais Gonzalez, Field Representative for CD13
Hollywood Area
Email: anai[email protected]
Karla Martinez, Field Representative for CD13
East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Greater Wilshire, Larchmont Village & Windsor Square
Email: karla.g.[email protected]
CD13 Field Representatives provided the following updates.
! The area of Fernwood and DeLongpre will be receiving sanitation visits again in 1 – 2 weeks.
! The fence at Western and Barton was not put up by CD13. Los Angeles Homeless Services
Authority (LAHSA) is working with individuals there to get them into housing.
! The encampment around Lexington and Las Palmas will receive regular cleaning, scheduled
with LA Sanitation Dept. (dates TBD).
! LA Sanitation will provide cleaning at the encampment at Yucca and Argyle on Mondays.
! January 9, 2024 CD13 18 people were housed with the support of the Mayor’s “Inside Safe”
program.
! All shelters in Cd13 are at 100% capacity.
! LAHSA will conduct the LA Homeless Count on January 25, 2024.
! Citizens have reported concerns regarding the lighting at Lemon Grove Park. CD13 is working
with The LA Bureau of Street Lighting to install more lights.
IV. In the Spotlight: Encampment Fires
LAFD Brett Willis, Battalion Chief gave an update.
Battalion 5 includes 7 fire stations.
They are on a basic platoon schedule and they respond to multiple types of incidents (emergency
medical calls, homeless related fires, residential fires, commercial fires and vacant structure
fires).
We discussed the series of recent encampment fires on Franklin Avenue near Cahuenga Blvd.
Recent reported fires have been in consistent areas at repeat addresses. Arson is difficult to
determine and requires tangible evidence, witnesses, video and often these aren’t present during
these types of fires. LAFD staffs full-time arson investigators who work with LAPD to investigate
suspected arson incidents.
Hollywood Community Police Station 1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90028
Q: How does LAFD define arson?
A: Arson is any fire that is not started naturally. Incendiary versus accidental is how they
differentiate. Arson section covers all reports for all fires. The investigation determines if it was
intentional and malicious or not. They look for patterns and document all findings.
PC 452: A person is guilty of arson when he or she willfully and maliciously sets fire
to or burns or causes to be burned or who aids, counsels, or procures the burning of
any structure, forestland or property.
Q: If someone throws a lit cigarette out the window into a trash receptacle and it catches fire, is
that an accident or arson?
A: That is described as a poor decision that turned into an accidental fire. If it was intentionally lit
then it’s a different story. An example of a type of accidental fire would be a propane cooking fire
where an individual is tying to cook food but accidentally sets their tent on fire. An example of an
intentional fire is someone who is disgruntled and sets his or her neighbor’s house or property
ablaze. In some instances, an intentional fire appears obvious but if there are no witnesses or
evidence it can’t be prosecuted in a court of law. It’s very difficult to distinguish between a fire set
negligently or criminally. Most of the fires LAFD responds to are recorded as “undetermined”
because there usually isn’t enough evidence to move an investigation forward.
Q: How does LAFD disseminate information regarding ongoing investigations? Where can the
community get access to the results of potential arson investigations?
A: Public Records Request can be made on all fire investigations.
https://www.lafd.org/fire-prevention/cupa/public-records
Final Note: LAFD Assistant Chief, Dean Zipperman retired in January 2024. His successor has
not been named.
V. CPAB Committee Updates
SLO Paul Jordan
Senior Lead Officer Hollywood Area 6A63
Email: [email protected]
SLO Jordan introduced the video of the LAPD Hollywood Holiday Toy Giveaway activities.
Multiple business owners and the Hollywood Division SLO’s sponsored the event. The group
visited various parts of Hollywood including the Walk of Fame, Lemon Grove Park and the
Hollywood Recreation Center. Community member Ethan Higuera filmed the event and created a
video.
To view and share the video use these links in your browser:
https://youtu.be/NTe4ppILTpg?si=Npk2aK5jOXbXBMXU
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1au_FxMixv/?igsh=NzBmMjdhZWRiYQ==
VI. Upcoming Events & Announcements
Primary Election Debates for Council District 4 (CD4)
January 17
th
and January 25
th
LAPD Hollywood Division - Citizens Academy
Contact Officer Gabriel Ruiz
Email: 39066@lapd.online
Hollywood Community Police Station 1358 North Wilcox Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90028
The Academy runs from March 12
th
– May 21
st
The training which takes place each week on Tuesday from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location is the Hollywood Community Room
There will be presentations from a variety of LAPD specialized units (LAPD K-9, Air Support,
Mental Evaluation Unit, Detectives, Patrol, 911 Operations and more).
Upcoming Hollywood Street Closures
The Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre.
There will be the usual street closures for this event.
For information about these or any closures, visit this website:
https://hollywoodpartnership.com/alerts
2024 Police Unity Tour, Washington DC
Brian Oliver and Paul Jordan will participate in this year’s Police Unity Tour. It is a 300-mile ride
that takes place over three days in memory of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
This memorial ride begins on May 9, 2024 and ends May 12
th
at the National Law Enforcement
Memorial & Museum in Washington, DC.
The primary purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness about the police officers that
have died in the line of duty. Their motto is: “We Ride For Those Who Have Died.” It is also to
raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. Since its inception in
1997, the Police Unity Tour has raised over $10 million. Each rider must raise a minimum of
$2,500 to participate. Contact SLO Oliver and SLO Jordan for information on how to donate to
their ride.
Contact: SLO Brian Oliver
Email: 37349@lapd.online
Contact: SLO Paul Jordan
Email: 32285@lapd.online
Next CPAB Meeting
Thursday, March 14, 2024 (5pm)
Hollywood Community Room
