Safety on Wheels

Join the members of Area Command 2 as they host "Safety on Wheels" Sunday May 21, from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.  Stop by and check out the fun.

Notice of Road CLOSURE for "Every 15 Minutes" Event

Please be advised that on Thursday, March 23, from 10 AM until approximately 1:30 PM, Los Alamitos Boulevard will be closed between Cerritos Avenue and Wardlow Road for the "Every 15 Minutes" Presentation.  A helicopter will be landing on Los Alamitos Boulevard as part of the presentation.  See the attached press release for further details.

Texting While Driving - It's Not Worth It

Texting while driving is a serious problem on America's roads. Seventy-one percent of young people say they have sent a text while driving. As a result, thousands of people die every year in crashes related to distracted driving.

(Extra tidbit:  It's not just the young drivers)

Distraction.gov

Area Command Operation and Areas

"Tell me more about who works in each Area Command, and what area am I in!"


The Area Command philosophy divides the City into four areas, each of which will include single and multi family residential areas, commercial areas, and schools. An assigned Sergeant, and a Team normally including one Corporal, and one or more Officers, and utilizing various units within the department such as Traffic and Detectives, will be responsible for a geographic area and also to coordinate responses with other geographic teams to address long-term issues impacting the quality of lives of those who live, work and visit our community.

Areas:

Below you will find a general description that outlines the various areas.  Each area has a webpage with a map to help facilitate identifying the area in which you live, work or have a question or concern about.  Each area has an email forward which will reach each of its team members, in addition to that Area Commander’s telephone number.

Check the page for the Area Command which corresponds with the area number in which you have an interest.

Area One – This is generally the west side of the City, including Old Town West, Old Town East, Oak Middle School and Los Alamitos High School, and the commercial areas surrounding these neighborhoods.

Area Two – This is generally the north and northeast side of the City, including College Park North, Greenbrook, the central portion of Apartment Row, McAuliffe Middle School and Los Alamitos Elementary School, and the commercial areas surrounding these neighborhoods.

Area Three – This is generally the southwest side of the City, including The Rossmoor Highlands, Old Dutch Haven, Suburbia, the west portion of Apartment Row, Los Alamitos Medical Center, and the commercial areas surrounding these neighborhoods.

Area Four – This is generally the southeast side of the City, including Carrier Row, New Dutch Haven, the east portion of Apartment Row, the Joint Forces Training Base, and the commercial areas surrounding these neighborhoods.


Area Command Introduction

CERT Class Coming

Are you prepared for an earthquake or other natural disaster?  Can you be a resource to your family and neighborhood when first responders are up to 5 to 7 days from responding?  West County CERT will be hosting their next class April 7, 8 and 14, 15 at the Joint Forces Training Base.  Contact Corporal Stacy Smith at 562-431-2255 ext 445 or ssmith@cityoflosalamitos.org for further details. 

To register, go to the link below or email WestCountyCertAcademy@gmail.com

https://westcountycacert.samariteam.com/

Area Command in Los Al

Did you know that if you have ongoing quality of life issue that there is a Police supervisor assigned to each area of the City to address or coordinate a response?  Did you know that if you keep noticing a person, car, or house associated with suspicious activity that there is a team of officers for each area who can focus on long-term problem solving strategies to address a situation?  Did you know there is a point of contact for each neighborhood and commercial complex that is interested in crime prevention or disaster preparation?  

In the following days and weeks, we'll introduce more aspects of Los Al PD's Area Command and other services provided to the community.  You will get to know some of the Team's, their areas, and how to contact them.  We look forward to being your partner in keeping Los Alamitos a great place to live, work and visit.

Remember though, if there is a crime occurring now or you need to speak with an officer immediately please dial 9-1-1 in an emergency or (562) 594-7232 for our 24-Hours Police Dispatch Center.  Have a safe day and check back soon for more information.

Area Command Philosophy:

Area Command is an operational philosophy that is organized to address quality of life issues for residents and businesses, over a long-term basis. The objective is to provide a single point of contact for concerns including crime, traffic and other issues that may have an adverse impact on our stakeholders. The theory of the Area Command philosophy is that through more direct communication, accountability, professional responsibility, and strategic utilization of our resources, an Area Command philosophy will provide more enhanced community policing activities. The Area Command is not a replacement of our current patrol services or the community policing activities that occur on a day-to-day basis.

Reports of crimes and activity the police needs to be aware of and address and are occurring now or recently, should all be directed to our dispatch center.  Emergencies should be reported to 9-1-1, and all other calls for service should be reported to our 24-hour dispatch number, (562) 594-7232. 

The Area Command model adds to the day-to-day community policing activities conducted by officers while working their patrol and detective assignments. The Area Command model enables a more granular control of responsibility by incorporating all four patrol sergeants into the model, allowing a geographically narrow scope of monitoring and control of problem solving activities.

For more information, see our Area Command Introduction

LOCK IT - HIDE IT - KEEP IT

Avoid Being a Victim of an Auto Related Property Crime 

Lock It:  Always lock your vehicle, even if you are leaving it for a short time.

Hide It:  If you must leave valuables in the vehicle, hide them completely from plain sight.  Preferably hide them in your trunk and before you arrive at your destination.

Keep It:  Keep your valuables with you, or keep them at home.

Common items stolen from vehicles:

1. GPS Devices
2. Mobile phones & chargers
3. Money
4. Stereos & radios & music players
5. Mail, checks, and other documents with identifying information

Avoiding Fraud

Unsure about an offer too good to be true?  Did you meet someone who is promising money in exchange for assistance now?  Is someone calling and saying you owe money you don’t recall receiving, and wanting you to pay it back in non-traditional ways?

Before handing over your hard-earned money, seek guidance from a trusted friend or family member or from the police department because these likely are scams.

Here are 10Things You Can Do to Avoid Fraud, courtesy of the Federal Trade Commission.

In an Emergency, dial 9-1-1

For 24-Hour Police Calls for Service in the City of Los Alamitos, dial (562) 594-7232

For Police Business Services in the City of Los Alamitos, dial (562) 431-2255 ext. 402

The Right Car Seat

Car crashes are a leading killer of kids.  Are yours in the right car seat?  Don't think you know?  Now you will know - More Info Here!

Courtesy of the CA DMV

Driving Carefully in Heavy Rains

Because the roads can be very slippery, you need to exercise caution in the rain.

Rain is a good thing: it helps water our plants, it can be fun to frolic in; but driving in it? That’s not so fun. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Why Is Rain So Dangerous to Drive In?

Rain actually causes your tires to lose traction—when the road gets wet, the water mixes with the dirt on the asphalt, making it harder for your tires to “hang on” to the road. Simply put, rain makes everything slippery, and puddles that form can lead to hydroplaning. Apart from what the precipitation does to the road and your car, the rain makes it difficult to see. We’ve all been there: you’re driving along and all of a sudden the downpour becomes so thick that it’s hard to see where you’re going.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Plan for More Time on the Road

When it’s raining, even if it’s not that much, traffic tends to move slower (drivers in California are all too familiar with this). And though it may slow you down on your commute to school or work, this is a good thing: you should drive slower in the rain. Always give yourself plenty of time (this means allowing extra time) to get to your destination. Never rush when it’s raining heavily: accidents are even more likely when weather conditions are poor.

Be More Cautious with Braking

When you’re driving in a downpour, you simply cannot brake late the way you can in ideal weather conditions. The roads are slippery, which means you could slide more if you brake too quickly. There’s also a chance that you could get water in your brakes, which will cause them to lose their stopping power. You want to avoid slamming on your brakes—when it’s raining, you should brake with less force. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation.

Use Your Headlights

Even if it’s only lightly sprinkling, your headlights will help you see the road better. Plus, having your headlights on allows other drivers to see you. However, contrary to what you may think, using your high-beam headlights will actually make things worse: the light from the beams will reflect back at you off the water in the air, actually making it harder for you to see.

Do Not Use Cruise Control

While you may think having your car travel at a set speed when it’s raining is a good idea, cruise control can actually become problematic when it’s raining. If your car hydroplanes while you have your cruise control set, your car can actually accelerate—which is not something you want to happen when you’re hydroplaning. Having your foot away from the pedals can also be hazardous when you are driving in torrential rain.

Be Extra Careful After Long Dry Spells

If it’s raining hard after a long period of dryness, you need to be even more cautious on the road. Over time, engine oil and other substances build up on streets, and when rainwater gets added to the mix, a very slippery combination results. The first few hours of that initial rain are the most treacherous. Eventually, the rain washes away the buildup on the streets, but until then, be wary when driving anywhere.

Avoid Standing Water

Staying away from standing water (like large puddles) is the best-case scenario, but if you approach it on the roadway and must drive through it, be sure you slow down. If you don’t, you risk hydroplaning and losing control of your car. Plus, passing through deep water could spell trouble for your car’s engine and brakes.

Stay Off the Road If Possible

Of course, the best thing is to stay at home when there’s a rainstorm. Obviously this isn’t always possible, with school, work, and other obligations, but if you can stay off the road, do so. There’s no sense risking an accident if you don’t have to.

 

Be the Best Driver on a Rainy Day

Because the roads can be very slippery, you need to exercise caution in the rain.

Rain is a good thing: it helps water our plants, it can be fun to frolic in; but driving in it? That’s not so fun. In fact, it can be downright dangerous.

Why Is Rain So Dangerous to Drive In?

Rain actually causes your tires to lose traction—when the road gets wet, the water mixes with the dirt on the asphalt, making it harder for your tires to “hang on” to the road. Simply put, rain makes everything slippery, and puddles that form can lead to hydroplaning. Apart from what the precipitation does to the road and your car, the rain makes it difficult to see. We’ve all been there: you’re driving along and all of a sudden the downpour becomes so thick that it’s hard to see where you’re going.

TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Plan for More Time on the Road

When it’s raining, even if it’s not that much, traffic tends to move slower (drivers in California are all too familiar with this). And though it may slow you down on your commute to school or work, this is a good thing: you should drive slower in the rain. Always give yourself plenty of time (this means allowing extra time) to get to your destination. Never rush when it’s raining heavily: accidents are even more likely when weather conditions are poor.

Be More Cautious with Braking

When you’re driving in a downpour, you simply cannot brake late the way you can in ideal weather conditions. The roads are slippery, which means you could slide more if you brake too quickly. There’s also a chance that you could get water in your brakes, which will cause them to lose their stopping power. You want to avoid slamming on your brakes—when it’s raining, you should brake with less force. So be sure to keep plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you to avoid any of these situations. As you may recall from Drivers Ed, the following distance in ideal conditions is three seconds—increase that distance to 4 seconds or more in the rain, depending on the situation.

Use Your Headlights

Even if it’s only lightly sprinkling, your headlights will help you see the road better. Plus, having your headlights on allows other drivers to see you. However, contrary to what you may think, using your high-beam headlights will actually make things worse: the light from the beams will reflect back at you off the water in the air, actually making it harder for you to see.

Do Not Use Cruise Control

While you may think having your car travel at a set speed when it’s raining is a good idea, cruise control can actually become problematic when it’s raining. If your car hydroplanes while you have your cruise control set, your car can actually accelerate—which is not something you want to happen when you’re hydroplaning. Having your foot away from the pedals can also be hazardous when you are driving in torrential rain.

Be Extra Careful After Long Dry Spells

If it’s raining hard after a long period of dryness, you need to be even more cautious on the road. Over time, engine oil and other substances build up on streets, and when rainwater gets added to the mix, a very slippery combination results. The first few hours of that initial rain are the most treacherous. Eventually, the rain washes away the buildup on the streets, but until then, be wary when driving anywhere.

Avoid Standing Water

Staying away from standing water (like large puddles) is the best-case scenario, but if you approach it on the roadway and must drive through it, be sure you slow down. If you don’t, you risk hydroplaning and losing control of your car. Plus, passing through deep water could spell trouble for your car’s engine and brakes.

Stay Off the Road If Possible

Of course, the best thing is to stay at home when there’s a rainstorm. Obviously this isn’t always possible, with school, work, and other obligations, but if you can stay off the road, do so. There’s no sense risking an accident if you don’t have to.

 

Have a Safe New Years Eve

The Los Alamitos Police Department wishes you a safe New Years Eve.

Please celebrate responsibly by not driving while under the influence.  Use a designated driver or other alternate transportation arrangements if you choose to drink tonight.

Have a great 2017!

Holiday Shopping Tips

December Holidays can be a wonderful time for gathering with family and friends, giving that special gift, and cooking a favorite meal.  But it is also a time to be more aware of your surroundings, especially when you are busy, preoccupied, and out shopping. 

 

The Los Alamitos Police Department wants to you be as safe as possible and would like to share some helpful reminders on how to keep your possessions and yourself safe.  To review these tips, please click here.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Los Alamitos Police Department

Safety Tips

Travel and Emergency:
Whether flying or driving, give yourself enough time to arrive early.  Anticipate more traffic than usual during the holiday season.  Pack an emergency safety kit in your car that includes:

• first aid kit
• flashlight
• blankets and warm clothes
• cell phone charger
• jumper cables
• shovel, ice scraper, & tire chains - if traveling to the mountains
• water and snacks - baby formula and diapers if traveling with infants

Pets Tips

Leaving pets unattended during the festivities can mean they'll eat food that is unsafe for them (bread dough, alcohol, turkey bones, cake).  Be careful with seasonal decorations and plants, as they can cause a possible injury to pets.

Don't Drink and Drive

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Predicts that 25,000 traffic injuries will be the result of drinking and driving during the holiday season.  Don't do it!

• assign a designated driver or take a cab
• know your limits
• even a small "buzz" is an impairment

Black Friday Sales Tips

Many people will be out to get the best deals on Black Friday Sales.  Just a few things to remember to ensure the safety of your family:

• stay alert and be aware of your surroundings
• report suspicious activity, if you see something say something
• use extra caution while driving
• always lock your vehicle
• be aware of phone scams as they increase during the holiday season
• store all your purchases/packages in the trunk of your car, out of view
• walk to your vehicle with your car keys in your hand

Black Friday Sales Safety Tips

Many stores will be open tomorrow on Thanksgiving for early Black Friday Sales shopping. There will be a frenzy of people shopping and thieves will be watching.

• Lock your vehicles and put your items in the trunk if possible. Thieves know that a blanket covering a large bulky area in the back seat/cargo area of an SUV is probably hiding multiple items to steal.
• Don’t carry large amounts of cash to be seen by others. Keep your wallet and purse close to your body to deter thieves. Don’t leave purses in the child seating area of a shopping cart. As soon as you turn to look at something it offers easy access for a thief to steal.
• Don’t pull out your credit card or ID until asked by the cashier to avoid shoulder surfers obtaining your information.
• Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious persons or activity.
• Shopping with several people is safer than shopping alone.
• If using a debit card or ATM, be mindful of anyone watching and shield your PIN.
• Make sure to lock all the doors and windows of your house if you plan to be gone for a long day of shopping and have a neighbor keep an eye on the place if possible.
• Officers do not referee who was entitled the open parking space first.
• There will be long lines, minimal parking and a lot of patience needed. 

Enjoy Thanksgiving first with family and friends and remember the military service men and women, police, fire and hospital staff who often work the holidays.

Honoring Veterans Today

Arrest of Interest

Date:  November 6, 2016

ARREST OF INTEREST

Palmer, Reed Alan; CA Penal Code 211 Robbery


On November 3, 2016, at about 9:00 PM, a robbery occurred at Ameci Pizza and Pasta, located at 10847 Los Alamitos Boulevard.  A suspect wearing a scarf or rag over their face took an undisclosed amount of cash from the business using a firearm.

On November 5, 2016, at about 4:40 PM, a report of two suspicious persons looking into parked cars in the 4300 to 4400 block of the Howard/Farquhar alley was made and officers responded to investigate.  During the investigation, it was noted by the patrol officers that one of the subjects was wearing clothing that matched the clothes worn by the robbery suspect on November 3rd.

Reed Alan Palmer, born September 13, 1997, who has a prior address in Costa Mesa, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of an illegal knife.  He was later interviewed by detectives and was subsequently booked into Orange County Jail for suspicion of committing the robbery at Ameci Pizza and Pasta.

Los Alamitos Police detectives are conducting further investigation and if anyone has further information about this incident, please telephone the Police Watch Commander at (562) 431-2255 ext. 426.  If you wish to remain anonymous, tips can also be provided at Orange County Crime Stoppers 1-(855) TIP-OCCS, or at http://www.occrimestoppers.org.

Coffee with a Cop - Today at 8AM

Join the Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Department staff serving the community of Rossmoor today at 8AM until 10AM.  We will be having coffee and conversation at the Starbucks at 3575 Katella Avenue.

Awesome Halloween Visitors

We had the great fortune to have several awesome visitors at our Police Department for Halloween!  

First, we had the City Pre-School Class come by and get a tour of the building, equipment and police cars in use to serve the community.  They are a great bunch of kids and they left with goody bags and big smiles.

Next we had kids from the Wheaton and Hasty families of Rossmoor who dropped off a tasty snack and some wonderful cards that were a hit among all the staff working to keep the neighborhoods safe.  Thank you so much for the kind words and expression of support!

The Los Alamitos Police Department wishes you a safe Halloween and beginning of the Holiday Season

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween can be great fun with family and friends.  To help ensure that all little witches and goblins stay safe, please click here for Halloween Safety Tips.