Why Property Crimes Could Increase

A Van Nuys man was charged in November for a residential burglary that occurred in October on the 1100 block of Magnolia Street. This residential burglary was one of 19 reported in October—up from five in September.

That trend has continued into November—with 10 reported this month as of last week.

"The last three months of the calendar year usually see a spike in these crimes as people gear up for holiday shopping and are distracted by the hustle and bustle of the holiday season," said Police Chief Joe Payne. "Packages are left unattended in cars and homes, and parcel deliveries left unguarded on front porches."

"A pattern is developing that makes this surge in property crime even more alarming," he continued.

While law enforcement would normally be prepared for this typical increase in crime, Payne says police are contending with a reduced number of officers on patrol due to budget cutbacks. Not to mention, the significant increase of property offenders being released from county jails, he noted.

Ripple Effect 

Prisoners convicted of nonviolent crimes began serving time in county jails in October, with a May U.S. Supreme Court ruling requiring the state to lower its prison population by 30,000 over the next two years. 

The Los Angeles Times reported earlier this month that the number of state prisoners arriving in county jails is significantly higher than officials had estimated. "Los Angeles County was projected to add about 600 state prisoners by now but has booked more than 900," the news outlet reported.

Payne—and others—say this realignment plan will result in an increase in crime.

"It is not an exaggeration to say that for every prisoner that goes into our county jails, one prisoner is released early to make room," Payne said. "... Over the two years that prison realignment will send state prisoners to county jails, more than 4,000 of them will be released into the City of Los Angeles alone."

"... The tough sentencing laws of the last two decades that have resulted in falling crime rates has been completely reversed and will result in serious increases in property crimes," continued Payne.

Preventing Future Break-Ins

With residential burglaries, auto thefts and auto burglaries tripling in South Pasadena last month, there's also been an increase in neighborhood watch groups, says Payne.

Detective Richard Lee, the 's Crime Prevention Officer, speaks to the groups on ways to be prepared. Chief Payne also attends the meetings of newly-formed groups to inform residents of the realignment plan and the dangers of property crime offenders being released early.

"Neighbors are informed that most property crimes are opportunistic and when the opportunity is reduced, so is the frequency," said Payne. "Property crimes are the easiest to protect against. Since residential burglars don't want to be seen, they will avoid attention."

He suggests securing your home with sturdy locks, hiding valuables (a popular target for car break-ins are portable GPS devices) and watching out for neighbors.

"Simply owning a dog can go a long way to making your home less inviting to break-ins," he explains.

If you do notice a crime has occurred, call the police immediately.

"The best precaution we reinforce is that of awareness," said Payne. "The chance of a burglar being arrested with a fast response and witness identification skyrockets when the neighborhood bands together and takes a stand against being victims of property crime."

Find previous crime reports here:

• August crime report
• July crime report
• May crime report
  
• April crime report

Click here for more on the department's 24/7 crime mapping tool.