Walking WeHo Wisely…

One of the most important things that we can do to protect ourselves is to be prepared.  West Hollywood is not immune to crime.  And our city’s Public Safety Division, in partnership with the LA Sheriff’s Department, work every day to curb crime and make our city safe.  That said, we are a destination city with lots of restaurants, nightclubs, bars, coffee houses, cultural events and the like driving many people into the city.   (And helping our local economy)

Frankly, we are also sometimes targets.  We’re here, we’re spending money, we have the latest smart phone, lap top, etc.  For the past 8 years, as a member of the Public Safety Commission, we are often at city events, neighborhood meetings, and other local sites educating on Emergency Preparedness, Vehicle Burglary Prevention, Crosswalk Safety and other topics through our Live, Work, Play – Be Safe Public Safety Education Campaign.  It also includes Street Robbery  Prevention.  Here I will list a few ways in which you can take steps to not be a victim of a crime.

Avoid Walking Alone at Night.  There is safety in numbers.

Walk with Confidence.  A little attitude can help.

Stay Alert.  See what is going on around you.

Keep Valuables Hidden.  Phone, Cash, Etc…

Stay Sober enough to take care of yourself.  Don’t be easy prey.

WeHo Sheriff’s Station is 310.855.8850.  Not all cell service connects to our local station by dialing 911.  911 is good, but it may delay depending on service.

Click here to view more information on Street Robbery Prevention.

Click here to view all of the Live, Work, Play – Be Safe brochures.

Together we can support each other and keep ourselves safe.

WeHo’s National Night Out Against Crime

Tuesday, August 2, 2011- It’s America’s Night Out Against Crime! 

List of Events for National Night Out 2011 (West Hollywood)

National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people will participate in National Night Out 2011.

In West Hollywood, twelve Neighborhood Watch groups and the City’s Recreation Services Division will be participating in this year’s National Night Out Against Crime. Groups are planning a variety of events that include block parties with BBQ’s, live musical entertainment, dancing acts and more. Recreation Services is hosting a Movie Night in the Park featuring the film “Despicable Me”. Last year nearly 2,000 people participated in National Night Out, and there was tremendous support from local businesses that donated food and prizes for the event. The events receive strong support and attendance from City Council members, Public Safety Commissioners, Sheriff’s personnel, Fire personnel, and City staff.

As in the past, this year’s slogan is “Give Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going-Away Party”.

List of Events for National Night Out 2011 [PDF]

Happy, Healthy and Safe Holidays from Walking WeHo

Pedestrian Safety in West Hollywood

The West Hollywood Public Safety Commission, along with the City Council, unveiled the Pedestrian Safety Bus Stop poster on Monday, Sept 20th at San Vicente and Santa  Monica Blvd.

Photo by: Richard Settle

In an ongoing effort to promote safety through our Public Safety Education we have been able to have some rotating bus shelter posters at different stops throughout the city.  The Pedestrian Safety campaign encourages motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians to be aware of each other while navigating our busy streets and sidewalks.  Click here for more information about the WH Public Safety Education Campaign.

National Night Out – Tuesday, August 3

National Night Out Against Crime is one of the best events in the city.  It is a chance to meet your neighbors, local officials, law enforcement and fire personnel.  Taking place on the first Tuesday in August, the city has won multiple awards over the years for it’s active participation.  See below for more details and a list of event.

From the City of West Hollywood Web Site:

The “27th Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out 2009.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness

Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;

Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and

Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

In West Hollywood, eight Neighborhood Watch groups and the City’s Recreation Services Division will be participating in this year’s National Night Out Against Crime. Groups are planning a variety of events that include block parties with BBQ’s, live musical entertainment, dancing acts and more. Recreation Services is hosting a Movie Night in the Park featuring the film “Up”. Last year nearly 2,000 people participated in National Night Out, and there was tremendous support from local businesses that donated food and prizes for the event. The events receive strong support and attendance from City Council members, Public Safety Commissioners, Sheriff’s personnel, Fire personnel, and City staff.

As in the past, this year’s slogan is “Give Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going-Away Party”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL: Laura Manukian (323) 848-6831.

List of Events for National Night Out 2010

Emergency Preparedness Town Hall – March 26th

April is Earthquake Preparedness Month in California.  Here is an opportunity to learn the right way to prepare for an Earthquake or other Disaster .

Are you Prepared, West Hollywood?

April is California Earthquake Preparedness Month.  This is because the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906 happened in April.  The two most important ways that you can survive during and after an earthquake are:

Duck, Cover & Hold is what you should do during an earthquake.  There have been many theories and past instructions but  most people are injured during an earthquake from falling debris and not from collapse.  Duck, Cover & Hold is how to avoid being hit!

Next you have to be prepared to take care of yourself in a catastrophic earthquake. You need supplies for as many as 10 days.  Yes, 10 days.  Think about the images that we have all seen, recently Haiti and Chile are sad reminders.  The City of West Hollywood’s Public Safety Commission has put together this information as part of the Live, Work, Play… Be Safe education campaign.

Click here to review the Emergency Preparedness Brochure!

West Hollywood Public Safety Award Nominations sought

From the City of West Hollywood:

The Public Safety Division is now accepting nominations for the 2010 Public Safety Awards. Each year, awards are given to individuals/businesses that have made significant efforts towards enhancing public safety in West Hollywood. In honor of the City’s 25th Anniversary, this year we will recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their dedication and service to public safety. As we celebrate 25 years of Cityhood, we are looking to honor individuals or businesses that have made a long term commitment to the safety and well being of this community.

We are looking for your input on two specific award categories: Community Leadership Award and Public Safety Volunteer. If you would like to nominate an individual or group for any one of these categories, please do so by Monday, March 1, 2010. A brief description of each award category is included on the enclosed nomination form.

Completed nomination forms must be submitted no later than Monday, March 1, 2010.

Award recipients will be honored at the City Council meeting on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 6:30 PM at West Hollywood Park Auditorium. You are cordially invited to attend this presentation followed by a dessert buffet in the Lobby.

The award recipients will also be recognized at the City’s 25th Anniversary celebration to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at West Hollywood Park. This will be a gala event celebrating not only the silver anniversary of cityhood, but celebrating the Public Safety awardees who helped make this City so great.

If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to call Laura at (323) 848-6831.

• Nomination Form

Tuesday, August 4, join WeHo’s National Night Out!

This is one of West Hollywood’s best events of the year

National Night Out Against Crime

Join your Neighbors, the West Hollywood City Council and their Deputies, West Hollywood Public Safety Commissioners and Staff, LA Sheriff’s Personnel from West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and Personnel from LA County Fire Station 7 & 8 (serving West Hollywood) as well as local business owners and employees for this annual event.  Details here: National Night Out.

Free Food & Beverages + Give-Aways + Raffles + Games + Music = F U N

Texting While Driving – Just Bad all around.

UPDATE ON AUGUST 6:  I am seriously considering standing on La Cienega Boulevard, just south of Holloway, with a sign that reads.  PUT DOWN THE PHONE!  IT IS ILLEGAL TO TALK OR TEXT WHILE DRIVING.

A recent study from Virginia Tech showed that Texting While Driving increased your chance of an accident by 23%.  Since I walk most places you better believe that I see many, many people talking/texting while driving. For me, it is especially scary when it is someone in a big SUV gabbing or texting away.   The study concluded that drivers were looking at their texting device for 4.6 out of 6 seconds.  Try it yourself right now.  Look down and count to 5.  Do you want that driver in the other lane looking down for nearly 5 seconds as they come at you on Fountain Blvd?  I didn’t think so.  Please, consider the danger!

UPDATE ON JULY 2nd:  Well yesterday was the one year anniversary of the hands-free cell phone use law and guess what?  Not so good.  Ventura Country reported that citings are up over the past few months.  The San Francisco Chronicle also ran a story yesterday citing the CHP (California Highway Patrol) ticketing for this has gone up 64%.  Some blame the economy as people aren’t buying the technology to go hands free.  Funny though, they usually have their $5.00 Mocha-choka-loka-latte in the other hand.  Your ticket awaits….

When CA inacted the NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING law, it did not revoke the HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE USE law.  Seriously, is it me or is everyone back to using their cell while driving?  Last week I saw a guy driving with a cigarette in one hand and the phone, pressed to his ear, in the other.  Yeah, that’s who I want driving the streets.

How many of us complain about CA drivers?  Everyone!   Taking your eyes off of the road to dial, text, hold the phone up to your ear, is dangerous!   Here are some (not so recent) stats:

A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Motorists found that motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

In 2002, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis calculated that 2,600 people die each year as a result of using cellphones while driving. They estimated that another 330,000 are injured.

According to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, drivers talking on cell phones are 18 percent slower to react to brake lights. They also take 17 percent longer to regain the speed they lost when they braked.

It is troubling that these drivers are not considering that they are taking risks that put other peoples’ lives in danger.  There is a still a sense of entitlement, especially when surrounded by thousands of pounds of metal, that these drivers feel.  Please think twice before jumping on the phone.  Or invest in the hands-free options that are available.