Crime & Safety

Local Crimes Dip in March

The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station reports 25 incidents, down from 35 in February.

Crime in Calabasas decreased in March, while the number of emergency calls local firefighters responded to increased, according to reports presented Monday at the Public Safety Commission meeting.

 Robert DeSantis, a deputy with the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station, told the commission that 25 crimes were reported in March, down from 35 crimes reported in February.

Some notable March crimes he pointed out to the commission included the arrest of an alleged shoplifter at a store in the 26500 block of Agoura Road, the same location where the suspect allegedly stole merchandise a week earlier, DeSantis said.

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A Calabasas resident and a Westlake Village resident were arrested after sheriff's deputies pulled their vehicle over for a traffic violation on the 101 Freeway near Parkway Calabasas and allegedly found narcotics, drug paraphernalia and 158 spray paint cans inside the car, DeSantis said.

One of the suspects was on probation for residential burglary.

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An Encino resident was arrested after being pulled over for a traffic violation on the same stretch of the 101 and a deputy allegedly smelled marijuana in the suspect's vehicle.

According to DeSantis, a search of the car yielded narcotics meant to be sold, burglary tools, drug paraphernalia such as a digital scale and a possible stolen iPod.

After DeSantis' report, commission chair Michelle Lawson Dornfest shared her concern about solicitors she has seen knocking on Calabasas doors.

DeSantis advised residents that when asked for a check, say no. He said that every few days the sheriff's station receives reports of identity theft.

He said that if an encounter escalates to the point that the solicitor is banging on the door or won't leave, residents should notify police.

"That's a 911 situation," DeSantis said. "We don't want anyone to sit and be afraid in their own house. We hope that you call the station when it occurs."

But some residents have been reluctant to phone in something suspicious, and they wait too long to reach for the phone, DeSantis said.

"The problem we have with that situation is we don't have any workable information or workable vehicle to stop," he said. "If we get a call half an hour after people leave the neighborhood, they're already in the wind. They've jumped on the freeway and they'll be driving somewhere else."

Bob Haskell, a local fire battalion chief, was also on hand at the commission meeting and shared his reports from area stations 125 and 68.

The stations received 106 emergency calls in March, up from 96 in February. Of those,  71 were for medical assistance and 21 were "false alarms with good intent."

Three fires were extinguished in March, compared with none in February, Haskell said.

The three March fires were small: two were chimney fires and one involved a burning tree that spread to some nearby shrubs. There was no monetary damage as a result of any of the fires, he added.

Haskell reminded residents that safety inspections to ensure chimneys are working properly are required once a year. Chimney professionals can be found in the phone book, he added.

Haskell ended his report with a reminder about earthquake preparedness. Each home, he said, should have a emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of food and water, flashlights, extra batteries, small denominations of cash, small tools, blankets and first aid supplies.

Standing in the doorway is no longer the safest spot during an earthquake, Haskell added.

Instead, the old "drop, cover and hold" method is strongly recommended.

"With the doors swinging back and forth it becomes more of a danger than anything else," Haskell said.

The next Public Safety Commission meeting will be May 24 inside the council chambers.

The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station can be reached at (818) 878-1808.

Los Angeles County Fire Station 125 can be reached at (818) 880-4411. Station 68 can be reached at (818) 222-1107.


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