By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU SENIOR EDITOR
Safety and security issues were front and center when LAPD officials gathered to brief leaders of Little Tokyo nonprofit and business sectors on May 14 at the Japanese American National Museum.
It was the second such meeting to convene local business owners and leaders from Little Tokyo’s nonprofit organizations and local law enforcement, among them Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Little Tokyo Service Center, Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple, Union Church of Los Angeles, Little Tokyo Business Improvement District, Keiro, 320 Building, Geffen Contemporary Museum at MOCA and Little Tokyo Community Council.
LAPD Assistant Chief Blake Chow, Deputy Chief Michael Oreb, and Central Division Captain Raul Jovel were joined by officers working in the areas of community relations, public transit, and district safety.
Jovel reported that additional foot patrols have been added in the area and overall crime is down, particularly in vehicle theft. The police also stressed that there is a dire need to hire more officers and other staff, adding that the loss of personnel has led to longer response times.
It was also reported that more patrolling has been added to Third Street along with street cleanup to protect children attending the Lumbini Child Development Center at Higashi Honganji.
According to Oreb, people say they are feeling less safe than they did five or 10 years ago. He noted that among recent changes is the passage of Proposition 47, which lowered penalties for many drug possession and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
Chow said the biggest issue impacting Little Tokyo is the homelessness crisis and the underlying problem of drug addiction and mental illness. He urged the public to push officials at all levels of government to find long-term solutions and treatment. He said Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe program is doing well but is a “bandaid” for larger societal issues.
The police also warned that they anticipate protests against the Israeli war in Palestine to continue and urged those present to have a plan within their organizations for any disruptions.
Don Tahara, owner of Far Bar, said his employees often walk out late at night in groups out of concerns for safety, adding that there have been incidents of vandalism.
LAPD recommended installing cameras with lights, organizing a neighborhood watch or group chat to report unusual activity, and license plate readers that can be data-linked to police systems.
They also said that while the police should be held accountable, all departments within the city must also do the same. Many asked that a representative from the L.A. Fire Department attend the next meeting.
JANM President and CEO Ann Burroughs closed the meeting, saying such gatherings were important to strengthen the relationship between Little Tokyo stakeholders and the police.
“Looking forward to the next time, safety and security are going to continue to be an issue,” Burroughs said.
This publication was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library.
8 actually good things about dating in 2020, so farSamsung plans virtual Unpacked event for August 59 excellent novels to read this monthElon Musk's coronavirus selfAre you ready for California’s big new privacy law? Enforcement starts today.Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and other male tech execs top list of highest paid CEOsUber's global reach grows as the company's ridesharing comes to TokyoHow to watch Fourth of July fireworks at homeA copy of Super Mario Bros. for the original Nintendo just sold for a record $114,000How 'hatewank' videos became a tool for harassing women in the public eye Kurt Ikeda Named Acting Chief of Interpretation at Minidoka Chinese Progressive Association's Statement on School Board Member Collins Bento for Boy Scouts 2021 Manzanar At Dusk to Connect Past, Present Injustices via Live Program Online AAPI Mountain View March and Rally Limited Class Time, Full Welcome THROUGH THE FIRE: The Battle of the Wedge — The Human Cost of Being the Model Minority Celebration of Life to Honor Rose Ochi Governors Issue Statement on Anti Asian Art Museum Reopens to Public
0.1448s , 10047.6171875 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【???????? ??? ?????? ???】Enter to watch online.LAPD Briefs Community on Safety in Little Tokyo,Global Perspective Monitoring