One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Police Are Out In Force To Deter Smash And Grab Robberies
Shoppers wait outside Macy's department store on Black Friday, November 26, 2021.
(
YUKI IWAMURA
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
The official start to holiday shopping comes with more Los Angeles Police officers patrolling high-end malls to deter smash-and-grab robberies. Prior to Thanksgiving, organized groups stole tens of thousands of dollars in merchandise here and at stores in the Bay Area.
Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton says there are more uniformed and undercover officers patrolling shopping areas.
"In addition to our visibility, we're meeting and greeting people as they go about their holiday shopping. We're contacting people directly to make sure they're aware that we are there to keep things safe," Hamilton says.
Wednesday a security guard was attacked with bear spray during a "flash mob" robbery at the Westfield Topanga mall.
Similar incidents also happened at the Beverly Center and Nordstrom at the Grove. Hamilton urges shoppers and workers to be aware of their surroundings, and if you see something suspicious, alert security.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
