Silver Lake Home Burglarized -- and it was Councilman Tom LaBonge's

After a series of street robberies in 2009, Tom LaBonge hit the streets to let residents know himself (Tom Andrews/LAist)

After a series of street robberies in 2009, Tom LaBonge hit the streets to let residents know himself (Tom Andrews/LAist)
Councilmember Tom LaBonge got a taste of what its like to be burglarized, something local residents in the Silver Lake area have been worried about over the past couple of months. “There has been a surge in crime in the Los Feliz/Silver Lake/Franklin Hills area," he said in a statement this afternoon. "I encourage all residents to enhance their neighborhood watch programs. I plan to hold another community meeting within the next two weeks to discuss the problem of crime in our area.”

LaBonge said no one was home when the burglary happened last Friday afternoon and a neighbor got the description of the two apparent burglars, described as teenagers. A laptop computer and $3,000 worth of jewelry were taken, according to the LA Times, which notes that the area has seen a 52% increase in burglaries, compared to this time last year.

“Our hearts go out to anyone who has been a victim of violent crime or has experienced the sense of violation that comes with being a victim," he said.

[For the record: an earlier version of this post said robbery, not burglary]