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.
LASD Increases Patrols After Rash Of Smash And Grab Robberies
More Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies will patrol shopping areas this holiday season.
(
Maya Sugarman
/
KPCC
)
L.A. County sheriff's deputies will be out in force at local shopping centers and other potential targets of so-called "smash-and-grab" robberies.
The stepped-up patrols come after a rash of brazen thefts at businesses across the region in recent weeks, including on Black Friday when some stores were ransacked.
Assistant Sheriff Bruce Chase, who leads the department's patrol division, told the county Board of Supervisors Tuesday that business owners and shoppers alike should stay alert, but to avoid making any rash assumptions.
"We don't want people to be overly afraid, just because you see some individuals walking into a shopping area, with hoodies on and face masks. Especially given COVID, it may not be an indicator," Chase said.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell also urged residents to not profile anyone who may very likely be just another shopper.
Chase could not confirm whether the robberies were part of a larger organized crime operation, but noted that they appear to be "quickly organized, but poorly led."
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
