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August 2024 Report to the Community

Posted on 08/08/2024

REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY

August 2024

UPDATE FROM KATY YAROSLAVSKY

UPDATE AT THE JULY BABCNC BOARD MEETING FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

SENIOR LEAD OFFICER JOE RAVIOL ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE THE TRESPASS AUTHORIZATION FORM

BABCNC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

OTHER UPDATES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

SKIRBALL ONRAMP TO THE 405 SOUTH OFF OF SEPULVEDA IS CLOSED

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT 9785 W DRAKE LANE

BABCNC WANTS TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

BABCNC VOTES TO ANALYZE CITY OF GRANT PASS v. JOHNSON IMPACT

BABCNC SUPPORTS THE 30x30 CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN

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UPDATE FROM KATY YAROSLAVSKY
I hope you're having a fantastic summer! While we're all enjoying this time of year, it's also a good opportunity to talk about public safety, especially since we tend to see a rise in crime during the summer months. In this newsletter, I want to share some tips on how to report emergencies and non-emergencies to the LAPD, guide you on finding your local police division and Senior Lead Officer, and show you how to get involved with your neighbors to prevent crime. As always, you can reach out to our office with any questions or concerns.

How to Report a Crime

Public safety is one of my top priorities, as I know it is for so many across our district. Knowing how to report emergencies and non-emergencies to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is essential to make sure the right person responds, and to help optimize limited LAPD resources. First and foremost, it is important to know the difference between emergencies and non-emergencies:

Emergencies

Emergencies require immediate attention from law enforcement, fire services, or medical responders. These situations include:

Crimes in progress, such as assaults, robberies, or burglaries
Fires or medical emergencies
Traffic accidents with injuries
Situations where there is an immediate threat to life or property

In any of these cases, dial 911 immediately. The dispatcher will ask for specific details to send the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible. Be prepared to provide your location, a description of the incident, and any other pertinent information.

Non-emergencies

Non-emergencies involve situations that do not pose an immediate threat to life or property. These include:

Reporting a crime that has already occurred and the suspect is no longer on the scene
Noise complaints or disturbances
Vandalism or graffiti
Non-urgent suspicious activity
Traffic accidents without injuries

For non-emergencies, contact the LAPD non-emergency number at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273) or visit LAPD’s website. This ensures that emergency services remain available for those in critical need while addressing your concerns in a timely manner.

Know Your Police Division and Senior Lead Officer

Knowing which LAPD division serves your area and your Senior Lead Officer (SLO) is also helpful. Your SLO acts as a liaison between the community and the police department, focusing on long-term problem solving and building community relationships.

To find your police division:

Visit the LAPD website at http://www.lapdonline.org
Navigate to the “Your LAPD” section and select “Find Your Local Police Station”. Enter your address to determine your local station and division.

To find your Senior Lead Officer, open the map here and find your neighborhood.

Getting Involved

The best way to prevent crime in our neighborhoods is by creating a strong sense of community where we hold each other accountable. There are a number of great ways you can do this, including forming a Neighborhood Watch or joining your local Community Police Advisory Board.

Starting a Neighborhood Watch

A Neighborhood Watch is a fantastic way to enhance safety and foster community spirit. By working together, neighbors can keep an eye on each other’s homes, report suspicious activity, and create a stronger, more connected neighborhood. A strong Neighborhood Watch can help:

Deter crime. Visible community vigilance can discourage criminal activity.
Promote communication by strengthening relationships among neighbors and fosters a sense of community.
Increase awareness by educating residents on safety practices and how to identify suspicious behavior.
Build partnerships by establishing a direct line of communication with local law enforcement.

If you’re interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch, please contact my office. We can provide you with resources, help you connect with your local Senior Lead Officer, and offer guidance on organizing your first meeting and beyond.

Joining a Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB)

The Wilshire, Hollywood, and West LA division’s Community Police Advisory Boards (CPAB) are crucial to community policing. They provide a platform for residents to voice their concerns, collaborate with the police, and contribute to making our neighborhoods safer.

Here’s how you can join:

Contact your local police division to express your interest in CPAB. Each division has its own CPAB, and they are always looking for committed community members.
Attend a CPAB meeting. Meetings are typically held monthly and are open to the public. This is a great way to understand current issues, meet local officers, and see how you can contribute.
Get involved in community projects. CPAB members often participate in or lead initiatives such as neighborhood watch programs, safety workshops, and community cleanups.

By participating in your local CPAB, you can help shape the safety strategies in your neighborhood, ensuring they reflect the unique needs and concerns of your community.

For more information on public safety or upcoming community meetings, please reach out to my office and connect with your field rep. Together, we can create a safer, more connected community.

Thank you for your continued dedication to public safety.

From the newsletter of Katy Yaroslavsky

UPDATE AT THE JULY BABCNC BOARD MEETING FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Update from David Nguyen, Office of Mayor Bass
Key updates from Mr. Nguyen included results from the recent homelessness study in Los Angeles. Mr. Nguyen reported that street homelessness in Los Angeles decreased by 10% and the number of people with makeshift shelters decreased by 37%, those residents being safely moved inside.

Mirco Gros

Update from Robbie Staenberg, Office of Assembymember Rick Chavez Zbur
Key updates from Mr. Staenberg included the update that a new $10 billion Climate Bond will be included on the November ballot. If approved by the voters, it would be the largest climate bond in the country.

Please follow this link for more information on the proposed bond. If approved, the proposal would allocated $3.8 billion to water projects, including safe drinking water, recycling wastewater, storing groundwater and controlling flooding, $1.5 billion for wildfire protection and $1.2 billion to protect the coast from sea level rise. The additional money would be spent on creating parks, protecting wildlife and habitats, fighting air pollution, addressing extreme heat events and funding sustainable agriculture.

Mirco Gros

Update from CD4's Sidney Liss for City Councilperson Nithya Ramen
Sidney Liss reported that CD4 continues to advocate for issues in their community such as tenant's rights, safety and welfare, safe streets, party houses and other local concerns. He mentioned that repaving would take place by July 29 on Tujunga Boulevard and by July 26 on Thrasher. The CD4 office also continues to work on parking restriction issues in CD4.

Maureen Smith

Update from Mandy Laflen for Supervisor Horvath (Third District)
Mandy Laflen reported that the Los Angeles County Supervisors are working on an Ethics and Reform Package that LA County voters will vote on in the upcoming November election. The Package includes public representation input into the over $45 million budget that the Supervisors now control. This will change the current budget process that was established in 1912. The Package will also establish an Ethics Commission that includes representation from the constituency of the LA County Supervisory Districts. Lastly, the Package also requires that the CEO will be elected by the Supervisory Districts rather than be appointed by the Supervisors to allow for a more democractic system for its constituency.

Maureen Smith

SENIOR LEAD OFFICER JOE RAVIOL ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO COMPLETE THE TRESPASS AUTHORIZATION FORM
In order to better address problems with squatters who might move into vacant properties or properties under constructions, Senior Lead Officer Joe Raviol encourages residents to complete the Trespass Authorization Form and submit it to the local police station. Once completed and submitted, this form gives police the authority to enter the property and arrest any squatters when the homeowner is not present. You can dowload the form here.

Mirco Gros

BABCNC ELECTS NEW OFFICERS

Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council elects the following officers:

Travis Longcore, Ph.D.……….. President
Ellen Evans……………............. Vice President - Legislative Affairs
Robin Greenberg………............ Vice President - Operations
Vadim Levotman………............. Treasurer
Timothy Steele, Ph.D…………...Secretary

Pursuant to BABCNC Bylaws, officer elections take place 12 months after the previous election. Officers are elected to a 1-year term by a majority vote of the board. https://www.babcnc.org/assets/photos/16/page66afa577b483c.pdf

Robin Greenberg

OTHER UPDATES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Benedict Canyon Association TreePeople Tour on July 26, 2024

A beautiful summer morning with weather in the 70s met the guests of the Benedict Canyon Association at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 26, 2024 at the Coldwater Canyon Park. Free parking for the event made accessibility to the property easier. A wonderful buffet breakfast was served in the LEED Platinum certified conference center. A warm greeting by President David Kadin preceded the walking tour of the grounds led by the ever friendly TreePeople staff.

Police joins BABCNC at National Night Out Against Crime
West Los Angeles Police and the Bel Air Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council join America’s Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. The men and women of the West Los Angeles Police Division will barbecue for their community from 5:30 to 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 6th at Stoner Park at 1835 Stoner Avenue, West Los Angeles, California 90025. This is a free event. Captain III Richard Gabaldon and Captain I Alisha Jordan will join the West Los Angeles Division for dinner and a conversation. Community partners include Communication/911 team, 7-11, Target, West Traffic Motorcycle Unit, K-9 unit, LAPD Reserves and Volunteers, Youth Service Officers and West LA Cadets, Red Cross Emergency Preparedness, and West LA Sawtelle Neighborhood Council (WLASNC).
For more information call West Los Angeles Community Police Station SLO Bermudez at 310 444 0742 or email [email protected].

Meet your BABCNC representatives at an upcoming Skirball event
Mandy Laflen, Field Deputy, Metro West, for LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, offered BABCNC a table at a preparedness event at the Skirball Center on Saturday, October 5th from 9 am to 1 pm.
Mandy Laflen’s email is [email protected] and her phone number is 213 308 3963.

Robin Greenberg

SKIRBALL ONRAMP TO THE 405 SOUTH OFF OF SEPULVEDA IS CLOSED

All residents accustomed to entering the Skirball onramp to the 405 South are being directed to the Getty onramp instead.
Mandy Laflen, Field Deputy, Metro West, for Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, has stated that CalTrans said that the leak is only water, not any other substance, and that CalTrans has a project in place for the area.
Mandy Laflen’s phone is 213 308 3963. Her email is [email protected].

Robin Greenberg

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT 9785 W DRAKE LANE

On June 11 and July 9, the BABCNC Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) heard from the owners of 9785 W Drake lane, who are proposing to build a new 2 story single family residence totaling 11,999 sf with a basement, covering 7,312 sf of a 51,940 sf lot. While this is a large development, ultimately the PLUC decided that it had no objection to this proposed development.

The PLUC felt the development could be compatible with the neighborhood because of the unique topography that shields the pre-existing pad from surrounding areas and because the project size is consistent with the allowable square footage for the parcel and will not require variances. Furthermore, the applicant is not proposing to remove any protected trees, is being mindful to design the project around a large Coast Live Oak tree near the front of the property and is willing to incorporate bird friendly building features into the project design.

The BABCNC Board agreed with PLUC’s decision and voted not to object to this development.

Mindy Mann

BABCNC WANTS TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES ON ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

A motion was brought to opine on Council File 16-1468-S3. This motion deals with the Zoning Administrator and how it interprets Floor Area Ratio (FAR), including the square footage for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), and recommends making an adjustment to how ADU square footage is considered relative to square footage.

The concern of the Neighborhood Council is that ADUs are often included in plans purely for the additional floor area allowed, with no intention whatsoever to house additional residents in the unit and that this motion should be amended to exclude this abuse of the ADU Ordinance perhaps by disallowing ADU square footage for residences with floor area or proposed floor area over a certain threshold.

Board member Wickers voiced the concern that using square footage alone to correct this abuse might be interpreted as a move against the owners of larger homes, and that he would prefer to include specific requirements for an ADU as a method to try to address these abuses.

Board member Savage noted the complexity of the situation, and that PLUM should not support these as the intention for the ADU is for housing people and not for adding a gym.
Board member Evans reiterated that her initial intention in bringing the motion was to use the Council File as an opportunity to discuss the abuses surrounding ADUs and to find a way to close the loopholes. A few other Board members contributed to the conversation, but ultimately, it was unanimously decided to submit a neutral CIS on Council File 16-1468-S3, noting that we are seeing ADU projects that are clearly not intended to house additional residents, and that we think this abuse of the ADU Ordinance should be addressed; and to also include that the additional square footage is meant to just increase the size of the house and property value.

Mindy Mann

BABCNC VOTES TO ANALYZE CITY OF GRANT PASS v. JOHNSON IMPACT

At its July board meeting, the BABCNC voted to support Council File 24-0140-S1, which requests that the City Attorney analyze how the recent Supreme Court ruling in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson might alter the legal framework surrounding City and other municipal regulation of homeless encampments situated on public property.

Alonzo Wickers

BABCNC SUPPORTS THE 30x30 CONVERSATION CAMPAIGN

The BABCNC voted at its July meeting to express its thanks to the City Council for reactivating Council File 20-1375, which proposes a 30x30 conservation campaign (modeled on the concept of preserving 30% of the City’s open space by 2030) akin to those already established at the state and national levels by Governor Newsom and President Biden. The BABCNC district serves as a critical wildlife corridor for the city at large and harbors more trees than any other Neighborhood Council district. With this in mind, we wholeheartedly endorse the City’s initiative to play a stronger role in the preservation of our open space.

Alonzo Wickers

BEL-AIR BEVERLY CREST NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
BRINGS TOGETHER VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATIVES
FOR A BETTER LOS ANGELES

Bel-Air Association: Mark Goodman, M.D., Jonathan Silver, Jonathan Brand, Leslie Weisberg
Bel Air Crest Master Association: Irene Sandler
Bel Air Hills Association: Andrew Paden, Patricia Templeton
Bel Air Glen District: Timothy Steele, Ph.D.
Bel Air Ridge HOA: André Stojka
Benedict Canyon Association: David Scott Kadin, Donald Loze, Nickie Miner, Robert Schlesinger
Casiano Estates Association: Sandy Ryan
Franklin-Coldwater District: Steven Weinberg
Holmby Hills HOA: Jason Spradlin
Doheny-Sunset Plaza Neighborhood Association: Mirco Gros
Laurel Canyon Association: Jamie Hall, Robert (Bobby) Kwan,
Stephanie Savage, Cathy Wayne
North of Sunset District: Aaron Kamin, Vadim Levotman, Tad Marburg
Residents of Beverly Glen: Dan Palmer, Robert Ringler
At-Large Traditional Stakeholder: Shawn Bayliss,
Mindy Rothstein Mann
At-Large Youth Representative: Alonzo Wickers
Commercial or Office Enterprise Districts: Maureen Smith
Community Interest At-Large: Ellen Evans
Custodians of Open Space: Travis Longcore, Ph.D.
Faith-Based Institutions: Robin Greenberg
Private 7-12 Schools: Stacy Marble
Private K-6 Schools: Elizabeth Barcohana
Public Educational Institutions: Kristie Holmes, Ph.D.

THE LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL SYSTEM

Because of the size of Los Angeles, each Los Angeles City Council member represents around 250,000 people. To keep City officials in closer touch with the neighborhoods of the City, in 1999 Los Angeles adopted a Neighborhood Council system to advise the City Council members of local issues.

There are 99 separate Neighborhood Councils in the City of Los Angeles. Members of the Neighborhood Council are considered City employees without compensation of any kind. They are formally elected by the public or communities and must live, work or own property in the area they represent.

The Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council represents approximately 28,000 people in a beautiful mountain and canyon area of the Santa Monica Mountains within City of Los Angeles bounded on the West by Sepulveda Boulevard, on the North by Mulholland Drive, on the South by Sunset Boulevard and on the East by Laurel Canyon. All Board and Committee meetings are open to the public.

The Southern California Black Walnut, part of the nature of our Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council community, often has a multi-stemmed trunk

The Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY is published by the Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council Outreach Committee: Robin Greenberg, Mirco Gros, Mindy Rothstein Mann, Nickie Miner, Robert Schlesinger, Maureen Smith, Alonzo Wickers
Newsletter Editor and Outreach Chair: Robin Greenberg
BABCNC President: Travis Longcore, Ph.D.
Photo Credits: Robin Greenberg, Mindy Mann, Shutterstock, Travis Longcore

Newsletter (c) 2024 Bel Air-Beverly Crest Neighborhood Council

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