Following Burglary, LAPD Sends Teens Out to Help Alert Encino Residents

A recent burglary on Addison Street in Encino prompted police to alert and educate the community on burglaries in the neighborhood, aided by the LAPD West Valley Cadets, who distributed warning fliers to residents Tuesday evening.

The burglary, which was reported at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 29 in the 16600 block of Addison Street, served as a reminder that the neighborhood has a history of short spikes of residential burglaries throughout the year, police said. The LAPD has assigned a crew to run fingerprints and further investigate the incident, said Senior Lead Officer David Ham.

"We want all the neighbors to know, in case it's a repeat burglary," Ham said. "[The flier] is basically advising you of home burglaries and what to do to make sure your property is secure." Nearly every residential burglary in the neighborhood near Addison Street occurs during work hours, Ham said.

As the cadets, youths who are mentored by police, knocked on doors in the area, many residents were learning of the robbery for the first time.

"I'm definitely concerned," said Amber Laks, who just moved to the area and hadn't heard about the recent robbery. She was walking her dog around the block when Ham handed her a flier. "I came home and told my husband right away."

The middle- to upper-class area, bounded by Petit Avenue, Moorpark Street, and Magnolia and Balboa boulevards, has a number of elderly residents who are often victims of so-called "distraction" burglaries. 

Distraction burglars typically pose as service workers or someone needing help—sometimes with an accomplice—to trick their way into people's homes to steal cash or valuables. They may pretend to be from a utility company or a medical service, or pose as a stranded motorist needing to use a phone, a pregnant woman asking for a drink of water or a neighbor whose pet has run into your backyard, police say.

The stories they give unsuspecting homeowners can seem very persuasive and plausible, Ham said. The elderly are favored targets, but anyone unaware of such scams can fall victim, he said.

"We have distraction burglaries that occur a couple times a year across the Valley," Ham said. "The whole thing is…the gas company, the water company, phone company, and the cable company, only come to your house when you make an appointment." 

"We tell people to make sure they have locks on their gates, a camera system," he added. "Don't leave valuables in your car and don't let strangers into your home."

The flier advises residents to record the serial numbers of their electronic and computer equipment, and hide all valuables in an unlikely place inside the home.

"If you have a small safe, expect it to be taken from the house if you are burglarized," the flier reads. "Criminals will not take the time to open it while inside your house. So hide it well, bolt it down or don't leave anything valuable in it."

Officer Jason Whittenton runs the nonprofit LAPD West Valley Cadet program and frequently allows the youths to help distribute crime alerts. "They are a valuable resource," Whittenton said of the 30 local cadets between the ages of 14 and 20.

"It gives them that one-on-one chance to work with police, learn about law enforcement and realize [they] can help the community," Whittenton said.

The cadets meet twice a week to develop fundamental skills: time management, peer leadership, communication and teamwork.

"It teaches you respect, morals. We do training and we're supposed to be model citizens," said 17-year-old cadet David Quinones. "Basically, we're just here handing out fliers and being of any service [to the community]."

Ham said LAPD is making every effort to combat residential burglaries in the area, but that community awareness is the key to prevention.

Anyone with questions or information about the burglary is asked to contact West Valley Area detectives at 818-374-7730.