By Joanna Putman
Police1
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles city council members are using discretionary funding to provide more LAPD foot patrols, hoping it will diminish smash-and-grab robberies, FOX 11 reported.
The city council approved Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s motion to allocate $100,000 from a Neighborhood Service Enhancements fund on Jan. 16, according to the report. The money will support the LAPD in ensuring traffic safety measures in the West San Fernando Valley area.
Councilman Kevin de León then introduced a similar motion to provide $100,000 from his discretionary fund to support additional LAPD foot patrols at Eagle Rock, according to the report. De León’s funding will help pay overtime for the officers needed to support the additional patrols.
“These criminals have shown no mercy, breaking into our local establishments and robbing hard-working entrepreneurs of their livelihoods while terrorizing staff members and patrons,” de León said. “That’s why today I’m announcing an investment in the safety of Eagle Rock that will send a clear message to organized criminals: Stay out of our community.”
The patrols aim to reduce the impact of smash-and-grab robberies, which have targeted local businesses in the area.
“We will increase our foot-beat patrols as well as detectives in coordination with the Senior Lead Office and Community Relations Office using these additional funds to help conduct follow-ups in any investigations of crimes that occur to track down these criminals, identify them and ultimately bring them to justice,” LAPD Capt. Gary Walters said at a Jan. 16 news conference.
The additional funding will provide an additional two to four officers to be on patrol at a time, serving as a deterrent for potential thieves, KTLA reported.