WEEKLY CRIME REPORT

Police To Citizens: Report Traffic Scofflaws

LA MESA -- In its weekly crime report, the La Mesa Police Department is asking local residents to file traffic complaints listing places where motorists are speeding or regularly running traffic lights and stop signs.

The traffic enforcement unit is promising a report back to each caller on steps taken to reduce the problem. See Traffic Information below.

Case Highlights:
On July 9, a suspect robbed the AM/PM Gas Station located at 4925 Spring Street. The male was able to escape with cash by threatening the store employee with scissors. The investigation of the crime led to former AM/PM employee Tracy Odom. Odom was arrested on July 26 and charged with the robbery.

Traffic Information:

La Mesa residents can let the Police Department know about neighborhood traffic issues in several different ways, such as calling, writing, or E-mailing (a link provided through our web-site). You can let us know about such problems as speeding, red light and sign violations, parking violations, or other traffic issues involving not just drivers but bicyclists and pedestrians as well. Police Department staff will evaluate the problem and respond in some way, such as setting up the speed trailer or conducting concentrated enforcement activity. It is common that the complainant will not necessarily see the officers conducting the extra enforcement. However, officers will respond back to the original caller with a disposition of what was done.
Crime Prevention/Emergency Preparedness:
On Tuesday, August 7, the City of La Mesa will participate in National Night Out. Join in the fun at the north TARGET parking lot at Grossmont Center from 6PM – 8PM for an Emergency Preparedness Fair. This family friendly event is a fun and easy way to learn how to prepare for a disaster. Enjoy free BBQ from TARGET, explore emergency vehicles, free child fingerprinting, and receive free resources and information on putting together an emergency preparedness kit. For more information call 667-7545.
This summer, take precautions to prevent home and vehicle burglaries. When home, use secondary locks to keep open windows secured. When leaving the house, even for five minutes, or going to bed, close and lock all doors and windows. Although the inside of vehicles can get hot in a parking lot, leaving windows cracked can help criminals burglarize your car. Remember to secure your vehicle when parking and remove all valuables. For more information, contact the crime prevention unit at 667-7545.
Department Information:
During the weekend, Special Enforcement Officers worked with officers from other agencies to conduct specialized narcotic enforcement and surveillance. A total of four persons were arrested and nearly 7 pounds of heroin was seized along with a total of $7,500 cash.
Help solve a cold Homicide case: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2487

WEEKLY STATISTICS:

Activity Period: July 23 through July 30, 2012 Media Contact: Lt. Matt Nicholass (619) 667-7512
Calls For Service:
Total Calls for Service: 1,206

Arrests: 43

ResponseTimes:

Priority1Calls:3 minutes10 seconds Non-Urgent Calls:13-53 minutes
9-1-1 Calls: 567

Officer Initiated* 277

Citations Issued: 41