'Crimes of Opportunity' Spike in Mount Washington

LAPD Northeast Division officials are urging residents of Mount Washington to conceal their valuable possessions inside the trunks of their vehicle to help stem a recent spike in "crimes of opportunity."

According to the Los Angeles Times' crime database, the neighborhood experienced a jump in property crime between Sunday, May 1, and Saturday, May 7.

During that time, a total of 10 property crimes were reported to LAPD's Northeast Division, including four thefts from motor vehicles, four grand theft autos, one burglary and one basic theft.

According do the Times' database, Mount Washington typically averages between two and three property crimes per week.

Patrol Capt. Brian Pratt said that such crimes are the product of a combination of factors, including geography and opportunity.

Because of the hillside neighborhood's narrow roads, people are often forced to park their vehicles on the streets, Pratt said. Additionally, because of the neighborhood's traditionally low crime rates and isolation, residents are also less likely to conceal their valuables or lock their car doors.

"People are leaving stuff in their cars and tempting opportunists," Pratt said. "We realize it's a beautiful area, but we're trying to get more education about leaving stuff in trunks. We need more public education, more awareness."

Pratt said that Mount Washington's Senior Lead Officer Leo Ryan would be distributing flyers throughout the neighborhood to educate residents about the recent string of thefts and urge them to conceal their valuables in their trunks.

Among the residents who were victimized by the recent spike in property crime was a family that resides on Elryia Canyon Drive, who reported that on May 5 one of their vehicles was stolen and the other burglarized.

Additional car burglaries were reported on Tuesday, May 3, at around 6:30 a.m. on the 3700 block of San Rafael Avenue, Saturday May 7 on the 900 block of Mayo Street at 4 p.m., and another on May 7 at 11:15 p.m. on the 4000 block of Sea View Avenue.

Pratt told Highland Park-Mount Washington Patch that criminals are often attracted to higher income neighborhoods like Mount Washington, where they expect to find high price valuables.

"They figure, the neighborhood is nice, so the chances of finding something nice in the cars is pretty good," Pratt said.