Los Angeles, Ca
L.A. Sheriff’s outreach program offering support for homeless population
In Rosemead, deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with several other county agencies, have hit the streets to connect unhoused people with shelter and services.
Deputies from LASD’s Temple Station and the department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team have been engaged in the initiative alongside L.A. County Probation and the Los Angeles Center for Drug and Alcohol Abuse in an effort to provide “comprehensive support, including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance,” an LASD news release stated.
“No one gets better in a homeless encampment,” Lt. Bill Kitchin told KTLA’s John Fenoglio. “From day one, their health deteriorates while they are there.”
These specially trained deputies, along with their partner agencies, are working to get homeless residents help if they want it.
At a Rosemead homeless encampment, Deputy Chris Lewis pointed out the dangerous living conditions.
“Somebody actually lives over there on that mattress,” he said. “You can actually see the condition that this encampment is in. It is not a safe environment for anybody to be staying in.”
There are those, however, living on the streets, like one man identified only as Gilbert, who do not want the help.
“I’d rather struggle out here,” he said. “I don’t like shelters. I don’t even like neighbors. It’s a little too loose for me.”
According to the latest data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there are 75,518 unhoused residents in L.A. County. In Rosemead, city officials say there’s been a spike in crime committed by the unhoused population.
“We want to make sure that they understand that we’re here to try to support them while also supporting our communities,” Deputy Lewis explained.
A 17-year LASD veteran, Lewis says he and his team usually encounter homeless residents struggling with mental health and substance abuse problems.
During Monday’s outreach, the deputy met a man named Donald, who had been sleeping in the park. When Lewis offered help, Donald took it.
“That’s definitely going to be a success story,” he said. “You could see that Donald was already letting you know he had some mental health concerns. Us coming out here and connecting with him, we were able to get him some of those mental health resources.”
Despite the hurdles, Deputy Lewis said the homeless outreach has been truly rewarding.
“The truth is that we are given the opportunity and the time to truly help our communities out,” he explained. “You’ll see when we go out and talk to these people. We spend a little more time with them to find out what is their major concern and what can do to help them.”
Lewis added that the reward is seeing a person go from living on the streets to getting housing or reconnecting with their family and getting back to life.
Los Angeles, Ca
Family desperate to find girl, 13, missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week
(KTLA) – Family, as well as police, are desperate to find a 13-year-old girl missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week, officials announced Wednesday.
Naomi Daniella Santos was last seen by family members when she left her residence in the 8700 block of Langdon Avenue at around 8 a.m. on Dec. 13 to attend school at Magnolia Science Academy in the 18200 block of Sherman Way, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Santos was supposed to take public transportation after school to meet her mother at Parthenia Street and Tobias Avenue in Panorama City but never showed up. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
“Naomi’s parents, friends and family members have not seen or heard from her and are concerned for her safety,” police said.
The teen is described as a Hispanic female with black hair and brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue sweater and gray pants and was carrying a blue backpack.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact LAPD’s Mission Area Juvenile Detectives at 818-838-9810.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Krispy Kreme partners with Los Angeles bakery for Hanukkah treats collection
Krispy Kreme is partnering with Lodge Bread, a Los Angeles-based bakery, for an exclusive holiday collection to celebrate Hanukkah.
For a limited time, Krispy Kreme’s signature fluffy doughnut base will be combined with Lodge Bread’s artisanal, house-made raspberry jam to create traditional Hanukkah sufganiyot or jelly doughnuts.
These special sufganiyot will be available in limited quantities throughout Hanukkah on a first-come, first-served basis. Doughnuts are sold by the half-dozen for $30, with a limit of two boxes per customer.
The treat will be available at Lodge Bread’s Culver City, Woodland Hills, and Beverly Hills locations.
“We’re excited to team up with Krispy Kreme to bring our own spin to this beloved Hanukkah tradition,” Chef Or Amsalam, co-founder of Lodge Bread, said in a statement. “This collaboration is a true celebration of craft, quality and the joy of the season.”
This year, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Dec. 25 and end at sundown on Jan. 2, 2025.
Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California community plagued by destructive burglaries
An Orange County community is concerned after violent and destructive burglaries continue targeting the same neighborhood over the past several weeks.
The burglaries are centered around an upscale gated community in Irvine called The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Surveillance cameras captured intruders lurking around backyards and searching for opportunities to enter homes.
Residents said eight houses have been burglarized so far with one incident turning violent.
“We’re on our eighth now it’s just mind-boggling,” said a resident, who did not wish to be identified for safety reasons. “It’s scary and it’s unsettling.”
Neighbors have found hidden cameras pointed at homes, appearing to surveil them and likely timing the break-ins to when occupants leave.
“It was installed in the bushes so that they can see our houses,” the resident told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade.
In a recent break-in, thieves reportedly escaped with millions of dollars worth of jewelry and luxury handbags after accessing a home through a back door.
“When I spoke to [the victims] they were just trembling, shaking and traumatized,” the resident said. “The grandmother was actually inside the house while this all happened.”
In a separate incident, victims said intruders pulled out a gun during the ordeal and held the victims hostage.
“It was at gunpoint and someone was tied up,” another neighbor told KTLA. “It’s really scary.”
Neighbors are scared and frustrated with many asking city officials and the police department to address the concern with increased security and patrols.
“We need to see some action,” a resident said.
“I’m here today to reassure the community that we are working very closely with Irvine Police,” said Dr. Vigor, HOA president of The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Police told KTLA that communities across Southern California have been increasingly targeted by professional thieves who are often linked with international theft rings and crime groups. They told residents they’re aware of the issue and are working to combat future incidents.
“We have dedicated an extreme amount of resources to this issue,” said Kyle Oldoerp with the Irvine Police Department. “Some that are easily seen and some that aren’t. We have officers on extra patrols. We have undercover resources, surveillance teams out here, video cameras using our real-time crime center.”
A town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday night by Irvine Police to discuss and address residents’ concerns.
So far, no suspects have been arrested. Anyone with information on the burglaries can call Irvine Police at 949-724-6000.
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