Rudy Komisza, commander of the LBPD’s north division, said he was surprised to see that so many people attended the meeting because he felt the Major League Baseball World Series game would keep people at home.
Komisza opened up the evening’s discussion by reading crime statistics to the public. He said that violent crime has decreased by 5.1 percent. However, despite the decrease in aggravated felonies, mail theft is on the rise as a result of people ordering items by mail for their Christmas shopping.
“I’m getting a lot of concerned citizens because of this,” Komisza said.
He explained that a major component to this problem is that packages delivered via FedEx or UPS are left on doorsteps, unattended, and are at risk of being stolen.
The commander said community members must communicate and work together to help the police minimize mail theft. He advised having residents select a neighbor to watch for package drop-offs and inform police if someone attempts to steal it.
“Establishing an open line of communication with neighbors is paramount,” Komisza said. “We are counting on the local community to take charge of this issue.”
[aesop_image imgwidth=”500px” img=”http://www.signaltribunenewspaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Screen-Shot-2016-11-03-at-4.03.47-PM.png” align=”left” lightbox=”on” caption=”Rudy Komisza, commander of the Long Beach Police Department’s North Patrol Division, addresses concerns in regard to criminal activity in Long Beach during the holiday season at a community meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 2.” captionposition=”left” revealfx=”off”] Sometimes, a house’s environment can aid criminals in committing crimes. For example, tall bushes can offer a hiding spot for the potential robber.
Komisza suggested community members inquire about a security check, such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessments, which allow police to analyze a home and offer residents advice on how to minimize blind spots on their property where criminals can hide.
Accompanying Komisza was Jose Gonzalez, resource officer with the LBPD’s North Patrol Division, who said that CPTED assessments are not only useful for small residential areas, but for large commercial venues, as well.
Gonzalez told the audience that he has conducted hundreds of assessments and said that security cameras and motion-activated lights are best for keeping criminals at bay.
Komisza also spoke about homelessness in the community. He said just because a person is homeless, it does not mean they are a criminal.
“It’s not a crime to be homeless,” he said.
The issue of people living on the streets is not an enforcement problem, according to Komisza. Instead, it is a social issue that affects the whole country.
The commander said that social services are contacted to help with homeless people and give them a “jump start at life.”
Near the end of the meeting, Komisza reminded the audience that car thefts increase during the holidays and to avoid leaving important items in vehicles.
He suggested that presents be kept in car trunks and away from windows while shopping. Cars should always be parked in well-lighted areas and in places where they are easy to see, according to the commander.
Komisza mentioned that community cohesion was crucial in reducing crime in the neighborhood. Those interested in starting a community watch group may contact the neighborhood services specialist in charge of their specific area or visit the LBPD website at longbeach.gov/police.
