Los Angeles City Council's Traci Park to unveil public safety package to combat crime

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Published  December 9, 2024 6:11pm PST
FOX 11
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LA's District 11 unveils 'public safety package'

Los Angeles' District 11 unveiled a "public safety package" to address crime in the area.

The Brief

    • Michelle Zoolalian, a victim of a home burglary, joins Councilwoman Traci Park in advocating for a public safety package to combat crime in their community.
    • The public safety package includes measures like automated license plate readers, increased LAPD patrols funded by discretionary funds, brighter neighborhoods through tree trimming, enhanced library security, and weekly Venice Beach patrols by Park Rangers.
    • Local residents, victims of crime themselves, express support for the package, emphasizing the increasing importance of safety measures in a changing world.

LOS ANGELES -
Standing in front of her home, Michelle Zoolalian says, "Our home was broken into in June." 

It was June 24, 2024. Security footage shows two men about to break into Michelle Zoolalian's home. They used a Wi-Fi jammer to disable interior security cameras and the internet in her place. She was away. Her teenage daughter was at home. 

"And, 30 minutes later that our house was currently being broken into while our daughter was hiding on the roof," she says. "Nothing has shaken me like that moment."

So infuriated, Zoolalian made it her mission to fight back and go public, as she puts it, "For the safety of my family." 

She joined Councilwoman Traci Park, who echoes Zoolalian's feelings. 

"We are tired of excuses for criminal behavior and we demand action," Park said on Monday's news conference.

Park is going to city council this week with a transformative public safety package that includes:

  • Automated License Plate Readers or ALPRs
  • LAPD Overtime Funding of $200,000 in her district’s discretionary funds to increase patrols
  • An increase in tree trimming to make neighborhoods brighter and less attractive to criminals
  • An effort to increase library safety measures
  • Weekly Park Ranger Patrols at Venice Beach

John Logsdon, the chair of the neighborhood council, tells FOX 11, "We need something to happen here and I think this is the right thing."

Theresa Torrance lives in Westchester. She was a home invasion victim. She's tired of being scared and with regard to Councilwoman Park's Public Safety Package, she says, "These measures are critical. I don't want to live in fear, but I don't feel like I used to feel ten years ago walking around my neighborhood. I don't even feel as safe as I did five years ago."

Al Hernandez owns two Hacienda Plaza Restaurants. He says, "It's just a different world we live in." Hernandez speaks of the break-ins at his restaurants and other crimes. About one of the break-ins and the perpetrators, he says, "One came through the roof, just cut a hole, jumped down (Hal: came down?) came down. Just jumped down."

New LA County DA Nathan Hochman says, "Enough is enough! We are tired."

So now, the new DA, the new chief of police, and Councilwoman Park are joining forces to show the bad guys they are a united front, which, for Michelle Zoolalian, that's the best news ever.

"I truly believe things are about to change," she said.