The empty store front at 15224 will now be a stop-in center for LAPD.
The late Kurt Toppel , a former Citizen of the Year has to be smiling. With wife Haldis, they had advocated for a LAPD stop-in center for the community, possibly at the new gym for decades.
During the Public Safety webinar on June 24, hosted by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, an announcement was made that a police stop-in center was being opened at 15224 Sunset Boulevard, in the space that used to house the store, Obsessed.
Landlord Elliot Zorensky, is leasing the store on a monthly basis, for a dollar a month, to Maryam Zar, the founder of Palisades Rebuild Committee.
Police will be able to stop in, use the bathroom, write reports and hold meetings.
In the past, whenever the police found someone with warrants or who had committed a crime, they had to leave the area to do the booking. Commander Jonathan Tom was asked “will officers be able to use the stop-in center for that?”
Tom answered, “They will still have to leave the area to take the suspect to a detention facility. It will be either Van Nuys, 77th or Metropolitan Detention Center.”
Also attending the webinar were Councilmember Traci Park, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard and Commander Jonathan Tom. They addressed public safety and the plans for moving forward in Pacific Palisades.
They acknowledged that the ongoing riots/protests downtown were straining the police force, which was part of the reason Pacific Palisades was reopened to the general public after a five-month shut down following the Palisades Fire.
McDonnell promised “2 and 20,” which means two sergeants and 20 police officers a day in Pacific Palisades for the foreseeable future. “We’re in a really good spot,” he said, “It’s as safe as it could be.”
Woodyard added, “We are committed to Palisades for the long-term.” He said that the rumors of the police leaving in July was untrue, but that they needed those living there and those who visited to call in crimes or suspicions, “Call in the little things, call I the big things.”
Tom added that the Palisades is being patrolled by LAPD, California Highway Patrol and city-hired security guards.
CTN had reached out to Bass’ office about the security guards. Spokesperson Paige Sterling replied “Private security guards, including from GSGS Management Inc. and Absolute International Security, have been working alongside LAPD to provide 24/7 patrols throughout Pacific Palisades.
“They will remain on patrol in the community until further notice,” Sterling said. “The City of Los Angeles has been working with these companies for the past few years to provide security guards throughout the city as needed (they applied through an RFP process).” She said that LAPD is also working with private entities.
All officers stressed the need for Palisadians to call in all crimes. If no crimes are reported it appears police are not necessary.
A reduction of officers will happen at some point, but the timetable has not been decided, Woodyard said. However, the number of crimes in the area will impact that decision.
-Life-threatening emergencies: Call or text 911
– Non-emergencies: Call 877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273) or LAPD West Los Angeles Community Police Station, 1663 Butler Avenue | (310) 444-0701
– Community Online Reporting System (www.LAPDOnline.org).
– Email: Palisades@lapd.online for tips and other non-emergency information to the officers in the Palisades.
Several of us pushed for a LAPD substation and coordination with private security for at least five years prior to the fire. I have hundreds of emails to support this claim. I had a proposal from Gates security to provide pa pilot program to patrol the entire Palisades in coordination with LAPD … $15K for six months. Tahitian Terrace management even offered its clubhouse. Absolutely zero traction on any of these plans for YEARS.
It’s very unfortunate that it took the destruction of the town to get a response from City and LAPD leadership. A more proactive stance might have given us back our town.
Another word to the newly wise. There is more that needs proactive surveillance than our burnt out town. The hillsides need daily proactive foot patrol. Officer Rusty Redican who did this for the six years where we did not have a fire informed us many times that the hillsides attract encampments PLUS other illegal activity of other sorts that must be firmly curbed.
Half a trillion dollars in property damage and loss plus numerous lives lost perhaps we can finally get LAPD and local leadership to get proactive about keeping the Palisades actively patrolled. Good job losers. Don’t forget the hillsides … that’s where the fires begin. But carry on, you don’t need to listen to me or officers with experience. You do you boo.
I would like to remind the community that Kurt Toppel was an outstanding Palisadian who helped this community for many years. I used to visit Kurt at his home. He was so kind to me I will never forget. He would be thrilled !
Funny, with no police presence pre-fire there was plenty of property crime but it was not worth the trouble of reporting it because there was no follow up and that did not change in the many years I lived there. Now, with significant police presence, crime may actually drop. Sadly, this drop will be interpreted as a lack of need for the police presence at which point property crime will resume and we will again quickly learn there is no point in reporting it because nothing happens when we do. I guess that’s how we’ll know we’ve recovered from the fire.
When I read “stop in Station”, I am assuming there would be someone in there and the door would be unlocked during normal daytime hours. I have walked by there several times last week. All I see is a large banner for Palisades Recovery Coalition” and the door was locked. When I hear the word “stop-in”, I assume a police officer would be sitting in there but that’s not the case. I’ve seen pictures of officers in there but I have never physically ever seen any. Please explain the part of the story Palisades
Rebuild committee (or is it Palisades Recovery Coalition) and Maryam Zar was able to secure a lease for one dollar and share the space with LAPD.” Palisades Recovery Coalition “ has a tree banner hanging in that space , they were funded by California Community Foundation. So, Palisades Rebuild Committee is not the same as “Palisades Recovery Coalition”? One of those got grant money , Palisades Recovery Coalition is listed under the California Community Foundation on its website , the gigantic tree banner is hanging in this space