LAPD Olympic Division Offers Tips and Training on “Suspicious Activity”

With property crimes up in our area over the last year, and people especially concerned about residential burglaries these days, LAPD Olympic Division Senior Lead Officer Joe Pelayo sent out a message to the community on Friday, January 12, encouraging residents to help fight these crimes by sharing information about “suspicious activity” they may witness, both to LAPD and through local social media:

“Olympic area is currently experiencing an increase in residential burglaries.

We have police resources in the affected areas and detectives are actively investigating these crimes. But, we are asking for more involvement by our community members. Olympic Area is working towards to building a stronger relationship with the community by making it easier for residents to report suspicious activity within their neighborhoods. By utilizing technology such as the “Next Door” or “Nexal” applications we will be able to collect information about suspicious activity in your area and you will be able to obtain important updates on police enforcement in your area as well…

Whether you’re walking your dog, taking in nature or out jogging during the morning or afternoon hours (when most burglaries occur), you can serve as our eyes and ears in reporting suspicious persons and activity.

What is suspicious activity, you ask? Here’s a break down of what we’ve seen reported in the events leading to up our current crime trend:

• Truant juveniles with backpacks during school hours
• Loitering in the area…
• …including driving or walking around the area
• Checking car doors and looking through windows
• Knocking doors to residential properties
• Walking the area with a vehicle following
• Talking on cellphones with vehicle following
• Acting as look outs (One suspect at the door and one sidewalk)
• Suspects being dropped off by vehicle and then picked up again at the end of the street or around the block.
• Solicitors at your door with unknown charity and attempting to gain entry or look inside your home to see what’s in it or who’s home. (Do not let them in your home.)
• Persons sitting in their cars for a long period of time.
• Vehicles with NO front or rear plates.”

Pelayo further advised that when reporting any of this kind of activity, you should be as detailed as possible, and write down vehicle plate numbers and take pictures and/or video, if you can do so safely.  Also, note that when you do call 911, you will be asked for the following information:

• Suspect:
  • Sex
  • Descent / Race – Description should be detailed as possible
  • Hair, Eyes, Height, Weight , Age
  • Clothing- including hats and shoes
  • Personal Oddities
  • Unusual features, scars, tattoos, etc.

• Vehicle
  • Year, Make, Model
  • Type (4 door/ 2 door)
  • Color
  • Vehicle License Number and STATE

In addition to your 911 call when you see a crime in progress, or when calling LAPD later to report a crime after the fact, please also contact Olympic Burglary Detectives with any information:

Detective Lorenz – 213 382-3440 – [email protected]
Detective Perez – 213 382-9425 –[email protected]
Detective Flores – 213 382-9447 –[email protected]

Finally, Pelayo’s message also noted that Olympic Division is “in the process of putting together a training day for the community to further educate [community members] on reporting suspicious activity.”  He said the training will be appropriate for anyone who is often out and about in the community: “Dog walkers, joggers, walkers, nature enthusiasts, and concerned residents are encouraged to apply. Please share this with your neighbors!!”

Those who want to learn more or might be interested in signing up for the training should contact Officer Pelayo at [email protected]