Have a Safe and Happy New Year

The Los Alamitos Police Department wishes you a Safe and Happy New Year!

As a reminder, Please Do Not Drink and Drive - always arrange for a sober driver or alternate transportation.

Report suspected impaired drivers by dialing 9-1-1.

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for December 19 to December 25.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.LosAlamitosPolice.org/.

You can find older Weekly Crime Summaries in our COP Team area here.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

Request for the Public's Assistance

The Los Alamitos Police Department needs the public's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for Attempted Carjacking and Attempted Murder.

On Sunday, November 28, 2010, at approximately 8:40 PM, the suspect depicted in the attached flyer approached the 66 year old female driver as she was stopped at a stop sign in her 2008 Volvo S80 sedan. The suspect attempted to open the passenger side door to the vehicle and when he discovered it was locked he pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded entry into the vehicle. For further details, see our Suspect Flyer.

Suspect Flyer

Original News Bulletin

Time is Running Out!

Dog License Late Penalty Amnesty Ends This Week!

You can ask to have the $30 late penalty waived and avoid a citation by licensing your unlicensed dog in December! This waiver also applies to expired licenses that are more that 60 days overdue and would otherwise be subject to the penalty. Amnesty must be requested at the time the license is paid! For more information, contact our animal care service provider at:

(562) 570-PETS or www.longbeach.gov/acs

Read more about the program here.

2010 Police Award Recipients

Chief Todd Mattern announced the recipients of this year’s Police Department Awards.

Each year, the police management team evaluates nominations in several possible award categories. The selections are based on choosing from the nominations of those who exemplify and execute the philosophy and values of the Police Department. These are encompassed within the Service Philosophy of the Los Alamitos Police Department.


Los Alamitos Police Department Service Philosophy

The Los Alamitos Police Department values and practices the principles embodied in the philosophy of Community Oriented Policing. Basic life principles of respect, trust, courage, honor and loyalty provide the foundation for the service philosophy in Los Alamitos. The Police Department recognizes that law enforcement goals must be based on shared values. Accordingly, all of the goals and objectives of the Department are based on the following values:

Full Service to the Community

Preservation of the Quality of Life

Compassion

Integrity

Pride in Self, Fellow Employees, Department and Community

The members of the Los Alamitos Police Department work to create police-community partnerships that proactively address causes of crime as well as other community issues. These partnerships become the mechanism to effectively solve problems and maintain order.


2010 Policing through Partnership Awards

Winslow “Wink” Chase, Operations Lead, West County CERT
Loree Erpelding, Logistics Lead, West County CERT
Marie Sorensen, Administrative Lead, West County CERT
These individuals were selected based on their exemplary commitment and leadership to the CERT program.

Mark & Sandra Wilhite, Residents
The Wilhites were selected because of their alert reporting of suspicious activity in their neighborhood, which resulted in the arrests of two suspects believed responsible for several vehicle burglaries.


2010 Police Employee of the Year – Police Aide Virginia “Ginnie” Houck
Ginni’s selection was based on her superb customer service skills and her enthusiastic work ethic.


2010 Officer of the Year – Officer Jacob Sorensen
Jacob’s selection was based on his mature, professional demeanor, his diplomatic communication skills and his commitment to professional development.


In selecting the employee award recipients, several worthy nominations made the decisions especially difficult. This speaks to the professional service provided to the community by Police Department employees.

Please join Chief Mattern in congratulating the 2010 police award recipients.

Watch your Gifts... and your Trash

The Holidays often mean traveling and visiting friends and family. If you have packages that you are transporting in your vehicle, ensure they are secured out of view in your trunk. Hiding gifts and valuables under blankets inside the visible passenger portion of a vehicle is not very effective, particularly during this time of year when thieves know people are taking gifts from one location to another. Another good habit is to secure packages and valuables in the trunk before you arrive and park your vehicle where someone may be watching the area, such as in a restaurant or other type of parking lot.

When the Holidays are over and after wrestling with the "some assembly required" items in your home, it is time to set the trash out for pick-up. Take a moment to consider the potential message being sent to a passerby. Do you have boxes at your curb that may advertise big ticket purchases are now inside your home or garage? Items such as computers, televisions, and bicycles? Please consider breaking down these boxes and turning them inside out or breaking them down small enough to fit the recycle container. Thieves are known to travel around and scout targets they may want to focus on later, if the opportunity arises.

Don't let the Grinch ruin your Holidays. Report suspicious activity to your Police Department. In the City of Los Alamitos call (562) 594-7232 or if ther is an Emergency, call 9-1-1.

Package Thieves in Orange County

The Newport Beach Police Department is warning of package thefts during the Holiday Season.

The Los Alamitos Police Department would like to take the opportunity to remind residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Every year across the nation, package thefts from the front doors of residences are reported. There are a variety of means available to track packages being delivered by the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, and Federal Express which can help lessen the opportunities for thieves to prey upon others. However, some of the best protection is neighbors looking out for neighbors. If you see something unusual or suspicious, do not hesitate to call the Police Department. In the City of Los Alamitos, call (562) 594-7232 or if there is an Emergency, call 9-1-1.

Leadership and Ethics Training

On December 6, 2010, the Los Alamitos Police Department and the Joint Forces Training Base hosted a leadership and ethics seminar that was presented by the Pointman Leadership Institute and was attended by military and law enforcement professionals from across Southern California.

Pointman Leadership Institute instruction is built upon time-tested, universal principles of character and ethics development that enhance the effectiveness of leaders and management teams. The Institute has offices across the globe and has made presentations to business, government, police and military leaders.

Pointman Leadership Institute

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for December 12 to December 18.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.LosAlamitosPolice.org/.

You can find older Weekly Crime Summaries in our COP Team area here.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

Wet Weather Driving

As our wet weather continues this week, the Los Alamitos Police Department reminds drivers to slow down and drive smoothly. As vehicle speed increases the likelihood of water building up under your tires and causing them to lose contact and traction with the road rises. This is called hydroplaning and this condition is similar to sliding on ice. As you might imagine, this condition is dangerous and will cause the driver to lose control of their vehicle.

Avoid quick turns or lane changes, as well. These types of driving movements can cause a vehicle to lose traction. The opportunity for lost traction only increases in wet weather.

Have a safe Holiday Season.

Winter driving tips from AOL.

REMINDER: December is Dog License Late Penalty Amnesty Month

Is your dog's license overdue?

You can ask to have the $30 late penalty waived and avoid a citation by licensing your unlicensed dog in December! This waiver also applies to expired licenses that are more that 60 days overdue and would otherwise be subject to the penalty. Amnesty must be requested at the time the license is paid! For more information, contact our animal care service provider at:

(562) 570-PETS or www.longbeach.gov/acs

Read more about the program here.

Disaster Planning

Please view our updated presentation on Disaster Planning. Visit our Emergency Preparation site for a list of useful resources to plan for your family's safety after a disaster occurs.

Web presentation (PDF)

Jewelry Store Robberies Grow More Widespread

Jewelry store robberies grow more widespread - latimes.com

The Los Angeles Times article cited above discusses the growing number of jewelry store robberies occuring in small and medium sized cities in the suburban areas surrounding Los Angeles.

Always be aware of your surroundings and if you observe suspicious activity, call the Police Department. If you are in the City of Los Alamitos dial our 24-hour service telephone number, (562) 594-7232. If it is an emergency dial, 9-1-1.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

Coyotes Among Us

Please view our presentation on living with Coyotes Among Us.

Web presentation (PDF)

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for December 5 to December 11.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.LosAlamitosPolice.org/.

You can find older Weekly Crime Summaries in our COP Team area here.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

Is Your Dog's License Overdue?

December is Dog License Late Penalty Amnesty Month

You can ask to have the $30 late penalty waived and avoid a citation by licensing your unlicensed dog in December! This waiver also applies to expired licenses that are more that 60 days overdue and would otherwise be subject to the penalty. Amnesty must be requested at the time the license is paid! For more information, contact our animal care service provider at:

(562) 570-PETS or www.longbeach.gov/acs

Read more about the program here.

Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Please view our Holiday Crime Prevention presentation for tips to avoid becoming a victim during this busy time of the year.

Web presentation (PDF)

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for November 28 to December 4.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.LosAlamitosPolice.org/.

You can find older Weekly Crime Summaries in our COP Team area here.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

December is Dog License Late Penalty Amnesty Month

Is your dog's license overdue?

You can ask to have the $30 late penalty waived and avoid a citation by licensing your unlicensed dog in December! This waiver also applies to expired licenses that are more that 60 days overdue and would otherwise be subject to the penalty. Amnesty must be requested at the time the license is paid! For more information, contact our animal care service provider at:

(562) 570-PETS or www.longbeach.gov/acs

Read more about the program here.

Press Release here.

Weekly Crime Summary

A new Weekly Crime Summary is available for November 21 to November 27.

The most recent Weekly Crime Summaries will be listed on the homepage of our website, http://www.LosAlamitosPolice.org/.

You can find older Weekly Crime Summaries in our COP Team area here.

Be Safe. Be Prepared.

Dog License Late Penalty Amnesty Program

Press Release dated December 2010

During the month of December, the City of Los Alamitos will waive the $30.00 late penalty for dog owners who are delinquent in renewing their dog’s license. This amnesty period was established to gain more compliance with the Los Alamitos Municipal Code requirement for dogs to be licensed. With consideration to the economic hardships many community members are experiencing, the amnesty program provides an incentive for dog owners to license their dogs. For the waiver to be granted, dog owners must request the waiver when submitting payment for their license.

Animal control officials estimate that there may be as many as 1,500 unlicensed dogs in the City of Los Alamitos. Getting a dog licensed is an important part of responsible pet ownership because it enhances public safety as well as the safety of the pet. Licensing provides a mechanism to ensure that dogs have current rabies vaccinations and is the best insurance for having a pet returned to its owner if it becomes lost. The annual fee to license a neutered dog in Los Alamitos is $20, $10 for senior citizens.

The amnesty period is scheduled for December 1 – 31, 2010. In January, animal control officers will begin intensive neighborhood canvassing to locate unlicensed dogs in Los Alamitos. At that time, owners of unlicensed dogs may be subject to a citation in addition to the $30 late penalty. For the first offense, citation fines are $100 for no rabies vaccination and $50 for no current license. To avoid these penalties, residents with unlicensed dogs are encouraged to participate in the waiver program by contacting Long Beach Animal Care Services to request the one-time waivers.

For more information about the December Amnesty Program in Los Alamitos, call Animal Control (Long Beach Animal Care Services) at (562)570-PETS or visit www.longbeach.gov/acs.

Submitted by:

Cassandra Palmer, Support Services Manager

562-431-2255, x410

Read more about the program here.