A Cookie, A “DUI” Checkpoint, And A Redbox Rental
Corner Bakery Cafe M&M Cookie
Well, tonight I decided I’d check out the DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on Topanga Canyon Blvd. I parked at the Topanga Promenade mall and stopped by Corner Bakery Cafe and got myself an M&M Cookie then walked over to eyeball the checkpoint.
It was about 8:40pm and it didn’t seem like they were making any arrests or tows just yet. Still getting warmed up, I suppose. The checkpoint was on southbound Topanga Canyon Blvd just south of Oxnard Street. Interestingly, it didn’t seem like they were making any effort to stop folks who turned left onto Califa Street. I’m assuming that’s where all the drunk people and illegal immigrants would turn. [note to people who don't understand sarcasm here - I'm saying this with SARCASM!]
Redbox Kiosk
Afterward, I stopped by the Redbox DVD rental kiosk at the 7-11 store at 20914 Ventura Blvd. I’ve never actually used a Redbox kiosk before, but I figured I’d give their $1/night DVD rentals a shot. I rented Extract. A very fine film.
Redbox DVD
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LAPD Peforming “Sobriety Checkpoint” A/K/A “Revenue Shakedown” In Topanga Area TONIGHT
The LAPD will unfortunately be conducting a “sobriety and drivers license checkpoint” tonight in our area. It is well known and widely reported that these checkpoints have little to do with catching drunk drivers and are essentially about the revenue they collect when they catch people driving on suspended licenses. Your vehicle will be impounded. The notice included a map which had the intersection of Califa St and Topanga Canyon Blvd marked, however if it s not 100% clear if that is where the checkpoint will be.
If you encounter this checkpoint, please disregard your civil rights before entering. I joke not when I tell you this is one of the most evil things going on with the government of California today. Watch the video below for more information as well.
A sobriety and drivers license checkpoint will be held tonight.
The purpose of the sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of traffic collisions involving intoxicated drivers and hit and run collisions. During this year, residents residing in the Topanga Area endured 19 driving under the influence-related and 99 hit and run traffic collisions. The checkpoint will educate the community to use designated drivers and not drink and drive. Our message is simple: If we catch you drunk, you will be arrested.
It is the Los Angeles Police Department’s goal to continue providing public awareness on the dangers of drinking and driving, and the laws concerning driving without a valid driver’s license. Motorists approaching a checkpoint will observe traffic signs, information and police officers advising that a checkpoint is ahead. Once diverted into a lane, each motorist will be detained momentarily while an officer explains the purpose of the checkpoint.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. We can all help make our streets safer, please report Drunk Drivers – Call 911.
Update: Full time and location info from LAist (8pm to 3am).
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Woodland Hills Area Community Policing Meeting Tonight 6:30PM At Topanga Station
Once a month, the Senior LEAD Officers for each of the Basic CAR Areas that Topanga Station covers conduct a meeting with the community. From what I understand, the west and east portions of Woodland Hills now have a single meeting, which is tonight at 6:30pm at Topanga Station (21501 Schoenborn St). If you have anything you’d like addressed, you should attend and bring it to the attention of SLO Brent Rygh or SLO Charles Dinse. Note that in March the meeting moves to the third Wednesday of the month.
SLO Brent Rygh, Basic Car 21A73 (Covering Woodland Hills – West of Topanga Canyon) Office (818) 756-3075 Cell (818) 731-2581 Email 30450@lapd.lacity.org The 21A73 meeting will be combined with the 21A97 meeting and will be held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Topanga Station at 6:30 PM. PLEASE NOTE: beginning March, this meeting will be moved to the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.
SLO Charles “Sean” Dinse, Basic Car 21A97 (Woodland Hills – East of Topanga Canyon) Office (818) 756-3076 Cell (818) 731-2568 Email 34920@lapd.lacity.org The 21A97 meeting will be combined with the 21A73 meeting and will be held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Topanga Station at 6:30 PM. PLEASE NOTE: beginning March, this meeting will be moved to the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM.
The 2 hour season premier of Lost starts tonight at 9pm, so I’m not sure that I will be willing to take the chance of dying on my way to or from the event and not be able to catch the show. It’s just too risky.
Update: SLO Rygh writes in an e-mail:
Tonight’s meeting will focus on Disaster Preparedness, “What’s Your Plan?” I will have my “go bag” displayed and discuss basic survival emergency scenarios. I have had many requests for this lately due to flooding, mudslides, Haiti, etc.
That’s definitely a helpful subject, as I’m sure all too many of us aren’t really prepared for an emergency. Thanks for the info, Officer Rygh!
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Psst, Have You Subscribed To The LAPD’s Nixle Notification System Yet?
As blogged back on December 3rd, the LAPD has a great new public notifcation system called Nixle. Essentially you subscribe to it, and they e-mail and text message you with important notifications about your area.
Here are a few examples from the past couple of weeks:
December 23:
1: Topanga officers at Topanga Mall near the Macy’s have three people in a stolen car. Currently make the arrests.
2: LAPD officers are stopping another stolen car, Topanga at Lanark. Avoid this area until the suspects are in custody.
3: LAPD Topanga officers have a Code 4, suspect and stolen car in custody, Topanga and Lanark, near Lanark Park.
December 30:
Topanga ofcrs are breaking up a large party that turned violent at a residence 20200 blk of Allentown Dr in Woodland Hills.
Today, January 2, 2010:
Owensmouth and Sherman Way – use caution, officers apprehending car thief.
Nixle was also the source for my Sunglass Bandits, Ventura Blvd. Armed Robberies, and other stories. So, as you can see Nixle offers you a great way to stay abreast of police activity here in the West Valley. I highly recommend it.
To register visit www.nixle.com. Click on the blue “register button” and enter your email and cell phone number. Signing up is simple so register NOW.
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LAPD Topanga Issues Bulletin Regarding Multiple Armed Robberies On Ventura Blvd In Woodland Hills
I got a rather frightening alert through the LAPD/Nixle system just a few moments ago:
Alert Message has been issued by the LAPD – Topanga Area.
Wednesday December 23, 2009 20:40 PM PST
Armed robber in Woodland Hills.
Five armed robberies have occured at businesses in Woodland Hills within the past month, mostly along Ventura Boulevard and Vanowen. The suspect is described as a male white, 5′5″ to 5′9″ tall, 130 to 150 lbs, 40 to 50 years, brown hair, very blue eyes, wearing a fake beard and mustache (very dark colored). Suspect is armed with a handgun and has stolen money from various business’ cash registers at gunpoint. If seen, please contact the Topanga Watch Commander at (818) 756-4800.
For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/635690/
Contact Information:
Cathy Riggs Topanga
818-756-4810
Something like this just goes to show you how much crime the mainstream media misses in its local coverage. I haven’t read about a single armed robbery of a business in Woodland Hills this month in any news source, but obviously they are happening. Disturbing.
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LAPD Needs Your Help To Capture The “Sunglass Bandits”
LAPD sent out a Nixle alert yesterday soliciting help from the public in capturing a robbery team that has been targeting San Fernando Valley eyeglass shops.
Los Angeles Police Department detectives are investigating a rash of burglaries that have occurred at optometry businesses throughout the Valley and are asking for the public’s help in identifying a pair of thieves whose images were caught on surveillance tape.
Since April 2009, the pair has hit over a dozen optical outlets. The most recent burglary happened on November 25, 2009, at the New York Style optometry business located in the 17600 block of Sherman Way in Van Nuys. Surveillance video showed two men wearing black bandanas covering their faces, force entry by using a crowbar to smash a glass front door. Once inside, the suspects took about $75.000 worth of expensive prescription eyeglasses, eyeglass frames and sunglasses from display cases and left the scene. Investigators have not been able to identify the suspects.
Images of the suspects involved in the incident were captured by surveillance camera and are available at www.lapdtv.org.
Anyone with information or who recognizes the suspects is urged to call Commercial Crimes Division, Burglary Special Detectives at (213) 486-6940. During off-hours, calls may be directed to 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text “Crimes” with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with “LAPD.” Tipsters may remain anonymous.
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LAPD Topanga Station Issues Holiday Shopping Crime Prevention Tips
Some helpful tips from LAPD’s E-Policing Newsletter:
Some helpful tips for the Holiday Shopping Season.
#1 When making large purchases take them home instead of leaving them in your car. Many thieves prowl the parking lots looking for victims who drop off heavy packages in their cars to continue shopping.
#2 Protect your purses. Never leave your purse unattended in a shopping cart or in a dressing room. Thieves will take every opportunity to steal your purse. Always maintain physical control of your purse, wearing it if possible.
#3 Protect your credit card numbers. Shopping Mall’s fall victim to teams of Conmen and Women who use every conceivable method to obtain your credit card numbers. Once these numbers are obtained they charge your accounts to maximum levels.
#4 A favorite Holiday gift to give and receive are Gift Cards. Thieves also target the mail in search of envelopes containing these gift cards. Community members without secured mailboxes should be aware of their mail drop off time and ensure that it is picked up as soon after delivery as possible. Many community members are at work during these drop off times. It is the perfect time for the neighborhood to keep an eye out for one another. Report mail theft to Topanga Station and attempt to obtain the suspects license plate numbers.
#5 A recent trend in the San Fernando Valley has been the “UPS” follow home thefts. Suspects have been following UPS/FED EX/ USPS trucks dropping off packages in the neighborhoods. These thieves will watch a package being dropped off and left at the door. If the package is not immediately picked up, the Thief will steal the package and its contents. With the Holiday Season coming closer we can expect that this crime trend will continue. Again, this is a very good time for neighbors to look out for each other. Consider delivering the package with a requirement that the receiver must sign for it. This is of course an inconvenience but not as big an inconvenience as never receiving the package.
The Key to a safe Holiday is to always be vigilant. Report crimes to the Police and look out for your neighbor. For more information contact your area Senior Lead Office, or attend a neighborhood Watch meeting.
Officer Dennis Cunningham Senior Lead Officer, Topanga Division/LAPD818-756-3070
Hopefully we can all stay safe and not be victimized this holiday season!
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