Browsing Tag

Safety

Neighborhood News

Burglaries in Valmonte Last Night

November 11, 2015

PVE Neighborhood WatchFor those that did not receive this email from Sandy Marchese, Community Relations Assistant, Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, here is the update from PVE PD about 5 burglaries that occurred last night in Valmonte. . . .

PVE Residents:

While our community continues to be safe and your Police Department is continually working to prevent and respond to crimes, you may be interested to know that last night, November 9, 2015, five homes in our city were burglarized.   We want to keep you informed.  In nearly every case the suspects entered the rear yard and smashed out a rear window (one had the front windows smashed).  The suspect(s) made entry at a few homes, with alarms being activated in all but one.  PVEPD officers responded with lights & sirens, and used the LASD helicopter, so if our residents saw or heard this police activity and wondered what was going on – the police department was responding to in-progress residential burglary calls.  No suspects were located at any of the locations, so these burglars were either scared away by the alarms or made very quick entries before fleeing prior to police arrival.  In one case, the residents were in the home at the time of the window smash burglary attempt.  No one was injured and there were no items ultimately reported stolen.  Anyone with further information, video camera surveillance, etc. is urged to contact PVEPD.

We must all exercise Crime Prevention techniques such as locking side gates, using alarm systems, motion sensor lights, trimming back shrubbery away from windows, etc.  Deterrents work.  I also encourage residents to join Neighborhood Watch to work with neighbors to observe and report suspicious persons or activity.   Please know that your police department has been combating property crime increasing by dedicating extra patrol officers to residential areas, both uniformed and plain clothed officers.  We will also be introducing Anti-Theft Dots, a property identification and recovery product to be announced soon on our website.

Neighborhood News

Be Safe and Aware

October 29, 2015

PVE Sign

Valmonte is a very safe place to live.  We enjoy the fruits of a vigilant police force that preserves the privacy residents seek, with enough visible presence to keep would-be criminals from seeing Palos Verdes Estates as a place of opportunity. Compared to the national average, PVE’s crime rate is about 1/4, with the majority of the crime being burglaries and theft.   Despite the low crime rate, burglaries are on the rise, and it is up to us, the residents, to help keep burglars at bay.  How can you participate in keeping Valmonte safe?  First and foremost please report any suspicious activities to the police. If you feel threatened or if it’s an emergency, dial 911. If it is not an emergency, dial the PVE PD number 310.378.4211. Prevention is a key element to stopping crime.  PVE has a strong neighborhood watch program and has issued the following recommended actions:

Lock car doors and make sure no times are visible inside
Shred mail/papers with personal information on them
Obtain a locking mailbox
Pick up your mail daily
Close and lock garage doors when you are not inside the garage
Lock doors and windows when you are not home
Turn on your alarm when you leave
Have trusted neighbors pick up mail/packages when you are away
Get to know your neighbors

If you would like your Neighborhood Watch Area Coordinator and/or an officer to come and speak to your block on home safety, crime trends and how to avoid scams please contact the Community Relations Officer at 310-378-4211.  To connect with your neighbors and stay tuned into local events, consider joining Nextdoor, a private social network that verifies members by their address; Valmonte has over 300 members in this network.

Thanks for making Valmonte a great neighborhood and please take the time to thank our local police officers when you see them next.