Crime & Safety
Announcements From City Council, LAFD and Animal Services
City officials share information with Encino Neighborhood Council on potholes, brush fire season, 405 Freeway traffic, pet safety and other issues.
City representatives made some informational announcements to members of the Encino Neighborhood Council before its monthly general meeting at the community center Wednesday night. Speaking were representatives from Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz’s office, the Fire Department and Animal Services on the following issues:
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Field Deputy Jeff Ebenstein from Councilman Paul Koretz's office discussed Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s launch of "Operation Pothole." In cooperation with the nonprofit organization Big Sunday.org, Villaraigosa is asking residents to help identify the worst potholes in town. (How about the crater on Ventura Boulevard and Petit Avenue?) Nearly 100 City Street Services crews will work overtime with the goal of filling 20,000 potholes on June 4-5. Call 311 to report a pothole.
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LAFD Battalion Chief Stephen Ruda announced that the local fire stations are making preparations to keep the area safe during the 405 Freeway construction this summer. Because brush fire season is near, the LAFD Brush Task Force has begun inspecting the community for fire hazards. For information on brush clearance, visit lafd.org/brush.
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Los Angeles City Council approved an inspector general for collections to help find hundreds of millions of dollars people owe the city, Ebenstein said. Los Angeles is estimated to have $541 million in unpaid parking tickets, ambulance fees and other dues, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In January 2010, Councilman Paul Koretz, working with City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, initiated an ordinance to create an alternative to criminal prosecution by authorizing police officers, code enforcement officers and other law enforcement officials to address low-grade “quality of life” violations with real time, efficient and fair enforcement. Ebenstein said the program, called the Administrative Code Enforcement, has moved forward to the City Council for a vote.
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Brenda Barnett, the director of Los Angeles Animal Services, provided summertime pet tips. She said all pet owners should have plenty of water available for their animals and provide shade and cool places away from the heat. Never leave an animal in a parked car in the heat, and keep pets at home unless you can bring them into every store with you while you run errands, she said. To protect pets from coyotes, clean up fallen fruit, pet food left outside, unsecured trash or compost and other things on or near your property that attract predators, she said.
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