Happy Holidays

I hope you had a great Hanukkah. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I would like to thank all of the members of the Hilltop Neighbors Association and the Board of Directors for all their hard work over the years.

Their combined efforts have contributed to better neighbor relations between neighbors, local business, St. Bebe’s Church, North Venice Little League, The Mar Vista Farmers Market, City Services and more.

One of the efforts I am most proud of is the hard work cleaning up the encampments at Venice Blvd. and Grand View Blvd. While there were numerous people and groups working on this important project,  I would like to thank the Hilltop Neighbors Association and a few Board members for their involvement in the clean up.

Our neighbors have witnessed the ever growing collection of thousands of dollars of stolen bicycles for chop shop purposes. Among the crime incidents we see and report daily here, the Veteran who tried to defend a woman being attacked by a vagrant and then was subsequently murdered by him stands out as one of the most horrific incidents. Children have been subjected to seeing vagrants defecating and urinating as well as blatant drug usage in plain view. 

It is inhumane to leave people on the street but we still have to stay vigilant against the well intentioned people who are fighting to keep them there and looking for ways to allow them to return.

Many have reconnected with their families, been offered housing, made available to them others may need assistance here is a number and location for housing … and a place to get meals…..

The Mar Vista Hilltop Neighbors Association has also been working on guidelines for filming on the Hilltop. We have had issues with over usage for location filming and are working together to be good neighbors and business friendly.

The Mar Vista Hilltop Neighbors Association provided a RING system to our own LAPD Pacific Division so they could make their station more accessible to their community during the pandemic.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our General Meeting in the spring and our Neighborhood Party in 2022. We have missed the neighborhood in person gatherings.

Enjoy your holiday season and cheers to 2022 being our best year yet.

Warm regards,

Brian Selem, President Mar Vista Hilltop Neighborhood Association

HOUSING

Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement 1 (800) 854-7771

Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME) (LA County Dept. of Mental Health)**

HOME is a county-wide field response unit consisting of teams of professional and paraprofessional staff dedicated to addressing the needs of the homeless mentally ill.

**law enforcement will be involved only if requested by clinicians based on danger assessment.

MENTAL HEALTH

ACCESS CRISIS HOTLINE 1 (800) 854-7771

24/7 Mobile Crisis Response team. ACCESS operates 24 hours/day, 7 days/week as the entry point for mental health services in Los Angeles County. Services include deployment of crisis evaluation teams, information and referrals, gatekeeping of acute inpatient psychiatric beds, interpreter services and patient transport. Request Psychiatric Mobile Response team – team is made up of two DMH clinicians; law enforcement will be involved only if requested by clinicians based on danger assessment.

ACCESS - Local (213) 351-2813

Psychiatric Mobile response Team (LA County Dept. of Mental Health)

Local offices operating within the purview of the ACCESS crisis line (above). DMH clinicians designated per Welfare and Institutions Code 5150/5585 to perform evaluations for involuntary detention of individuals determined to be at risk of harming themselves or others or who are unable to provide food, clothing, or shelter as a result of a mental disorder. As above, crisis team is two DMH clinicians – law enforcement will be involved only if requested by clinicians based on danger assessment.

Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Crisis Centers 1 (800) 551-1300

24-7 Crisis Response. City service. (213) 381-5111

YOUTH

YOUTH CRISIS HOTLINE 1 (800) 843-5200

Youth Crisis Hotline – 24/7

statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis with access to over 5,500 free or low-cost resources for youth and families in crisis

https://calyouth.org/cycl/

Children of the Night 1 (800) 551-1300

Skilled Children of the Night Case Managers assist young American sex trafficking victims with 24-hour services 7 days a week. Whether they need rescue from pimps, access to medical services, emergency & non-emergency transportation, mental health services, psychiatric evaluations or access to psychotropic medications, Children of the Night is ready to serve.

https://www.childrenofthenight.org/

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT

Peace Over Violence (213) 626-3396 Crisis intervention, counseling, support – 24-Hour hotlines Peaceoverviolence.org  

Shelter Assistance Hotline 1 (877) 477-3646  Help with shelter placement, admission

YWCA of Greater Los Angeles Rape Couseling 1 (877) 943-5778

In a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere, the YWCA GLA offers rape survivors the support they need and extends this support to family and friends. 24-Hour Crisis Hotline providing crisis services to callers age 12 and up.

Ongoing services provided out of locations in Compton, South Los Angeles, and South Bay/Long Beach

https://ywcagla.org/what-we-do/programs/sexual-assault/

Covenant House-Hollywood (323) 461-3131

In Hollywood, CHC’s Safe Haven shelter immediately provides for youths’ (18 - 24) basic human needs and urgent medical care. Young people receive a nutritious meal, take a shower with new personal care products, receive new clothes, and sleep in a warm, safe bed. They are then connected to supportive services that will help them thrive.

1325 N. Western Avenue

Hollywood, CA 90027

ELDERS

LA County Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) provides a 24-7 system of in person response to reports of abuse and self-neglect about developmentally disabled adults, physically and mentally disabled adults, and the elderly who may be victims of abuse.

https://wdacs.lacounty.gov/programs/aps/

BURGLARY IS MOSTLY A CRIME OF OPPORTUNITY.

PHYSICAL PROTECTION MEASURES

• Side and back entries are the most common access points for burglars.
• Install a good side-yard gate and keep it locked at all times. Key-pad and Combination locks are the most convenient. [This alone will stop 95% of burglars.]
• Reinforce glass doors and windows by installing 8 Mil security film to the inside of the glass. This also prevents glass from shattering in earthquakes.
• Install single cylinder dead-bolt locks on all exterior doors. Bolts should have a minimum throw of 1 inch. Strike plates should have screws  that are at least 3 inches long. Doors should be solid hardwood or metal clad. Hinges should be located on the inside or have non-removable pins.
• Special locks are needed on double doors.
• Install additional locking devices on all sliding glass doors and windows.
• Chain locks are only good for privacy, not security.
• Re-key or change all locks when moving into a new home.
• Install locks on gates, garages, sheds, etc.
• Plant bushes with thorns or prickly leaves near windows and along fences.
• Trim trees so that limbs don’t provide access to roofs, second stories, etc.

DETERRENT  MEASURES

• Attach Neighborhood Watch and/or Alarm Company stickers on or near entry doors and windows.
• Consider having a dog that can scare a stranger away by either barking or looking fierce.
• Consider Installing a Home Alarm System That Provides 24/7 Monitoring

SECURITY PROCEDURES

• Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you are just going out “for a minute.” If a window is left open a few inches for ventilation, pins or dowels should be inserted in the tracks to prevent someone from opening it more.
• Lock gates, garages, and sheds after each use. Store bicycles, mowers, etc. in a locked garage or shed.
• Don’t leave notes on your door when you are away from home.
• Don’t leave keys in mailboxes or planters, under doormats, or in other obvious hiding spots. Leave an extra key with a neighbor.
• •Don’t leave ladders outside and available to burglars who may use them to avoid alarm systems by entering 2nd story windows.
• Don’t leave your home keys on a chain with your vehicle keys when you use valet parking. Don’t leave your garage door opener where it is easily accessible. 

PROVIDING VISIBILITY

• Leave outside lights on after dark or have outside lights controlled by a motion sensor. Make  sure there are no dark areas around the house, garage, or yard in which a person could hide. Street lights are generally inadequate for illuminating your property.
• Check lights regularly and replace burnt out bulbs.
• Trim bushes to eliminate possible hiding places, especially near windows and sidewalks.
• Install a wide angle peephole in your front door so you can look out without being seen.
• Maintaining Your Property
• Keep property in good condition and free of trash, litter, weeds, leaves, graffiti, dismantled or  inoperative vehicles, and other things that indicate neglect in caring for your property.
• Repair / replace broken windows, screens, fences and gate locks.
• Use screens, wired glass, or other protection for light fixtures and bulbs.
• Remove loose rocks and other objects that could be used to vandalize or burglarize your property.