Effective Community Safety Strategies for Homeowners

COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING L. SCOTT MAR, MBA AUGUST 22, 2024

AGENDA Introduction Have a Plan Keep your Neighborhood Safe Participate in Government 2

INTRODUCTION Who is Scott? Who is Scott? LA County resident since 1986 Valley Village resident for 23 years So. Cal. educated at Cal Poly Pomona and USC Work-from-Home Biotech executive Ex-competition tactical pistol shooter (USPSA) Victim of a Home Invasion Robbery on July 8, 2024 3

HAVE A PLAN

HAVE A PLAN Do you have a scenario planned for a Home Invasion? Do you have a scenario planned for a Home Invasion? Do you have a home alarm system? Do you use it? Do you have a secure place to shelter and barricade? Do you have a means of calling for help? Is your entire family aware of your plans? Do you have an alternate escape plan or contingency plan? Do you have plans for other scenarios? 5

HAVING A PLAN IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN HAVING A GUN Owning a firearm does not automatically make you safer Owning a firearm does not automatically make you safer All adults in the house must have access to the firearm All adults in the house must be trained to use it effectively Using a firearm in an actual situation is much more difficult than standing and shooting in a shooting range 6

KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE

ENGAGE WITH YOUR BLOCK Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other Stay in constant contact in a WhatsApp or Facebook chat group and share all security concerns Be vigilant of strange cars parked, especially if people are hiding inside Be aware of strange activity at your neighbor s house, like unexpected moving trucks Always ask for identification for anyone wanting to access your property (e.g. gas or electric meter readers or cable repair) Subscribe to private security to have them directly confront suspicious people around your property Appropriately call LAPD Non-Emergency Dispatch or 911 8

ENGAGE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Participate in the Neighborhood Watch program Participate in the Neighborhood Watch program Work with LAPD to develop a tailored action plan Receive up to date information on crime stats and trends Receive materials and training on crime prevention, assisting victims and educating children Connect, beyond your immediate neighbors, in keeping the entire neighborhood safe 9

PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT

WHERE WE ARE As of July 2024, LA robberies are up 17.6% from 2023 Shift from Smash-and-Grab commercial robberies to Residential robberies Hot Prowl Break-Ins are up 37% from 2020 across LA 11

WE WE ARE WHY WE GOT HERE Many of the factors leading up to the current crime wave can be tied to ballot Many of the factors leading up to the current crime wave can be tied to ballot propositions passed in public elections or by shifts at the state propositions passed in public elections or by shifts at the state- -level. level. AB 109 (2011): Shifted responsibility for non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offenders to counties from the state to reduce state burden. This resulted in a prison and parole system strain at the county-level. Prop 47 (2014): Reclassified theft from felonies to misdemeanors for amounts less than $950, primarily to reduce state prison overcrowding. Prop 57 (2016): Removed Enhanced Sentencing for repeat offenders, primarily to reduce state prison population. 12

WE WE ARE WHY WE GOT HERE Current DA policies are aimed at reducing pre Current DA policies are aimed at reducing pre- -arraignment incarceration rates for those who cannot make bail. for those who cannot make bail. arraignment incarceration rates Not Eligible for Pre-Arraignment Release: Murder and specific felonies identified in state constitution Magistrate Review (Maybe Release): Firearms offenses, sexual battery. People on parole. Catch-and-Release/Book-and-Release: Most theft offenses Most theft offenses 13

WE WE ARE WHY WE GOT HERE The line between Burglary and Robbery is very fine. The line between Burglary and Robbery is very fine. Burglary: Entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft). Non-Violent Crime. Robbery: Use of threats or force to take someone else's property against that person's will. Violent Crime. A home burglar that has stolen less than $950 of property would be charged with a misdemeanor and could be released prior to arraignment without needing to post bail, if no one was home at the time of the burglary. 14

WE WE HAVE TO BE THE SOLUTION Our solution to prison overcrowding and minority overrepresentation has been to Our solution to prison overcrowding and minority overrepresentation has been to symptomatically reduce penalties for crimes to avoid incarceration. This came at symptomatically reduce penalties for crimes to avoid incarceration. This came at the expense of increased crime rates. the expense of increased crime rates. The true solution is evident, but costly: 1. Invest in prison resources at the state and county levels. 2. Prosecute to the limits of the law as a deterrent to criminals. 3. Invest in education, job training, and job creation in communities that are economically challenged. Decriminalizing Crime Is Not A Solution Decriminalizing Crime Is Not A Solution 15

THANK YOU L. Scott Mar, MBA 818-970-0857 lscottmar@gmail.com 16

REFERENCES REFERENCES https://www.pacificresearch.org/why-is-california-experiencing-more-crime- victimization/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw74e1BhBnEiwAbqOAjB0U4TJjsrjXD5of4FPK2osuvE n540rw2TGWwm3y2fepPHi_9o6RvRoCyboQAvD_BwE https://nypost.com/2023/08/26/california-voters-are-to-blame-for-las-crime-epidemic/ https://www.dailynews.com/2024/06/04/robberies-and-homicides-rise-in-la-but-both-are- still-lower-than-2-years-ago/ 17