Violent and property crimes are most prevalent in the densely populated Verdugo Viejo district, one of several neighborhoods that make up west Glendale, police officials told residents there Wednesday night.
So far this year, 35 violent and property crimes have been reported in that area, the highest among west Glendale districts, police crime Analyst Albert Mesa told residents at a town hall meeting at the Church of the Incarnation.
The higher crime rate was mostly attributed to the neighborhood's dense population and its large number of apartment buildings and shopping facilities. The neighborhood is bound by Central Avenue, Pacific Avenue, Glenoaks Boulevard and Kenneth Road.
The area has also experienced vehicle break-ins, thefts of vehicle catalytic converters and residential burglaries, Mesa said.
"These trends that we have are not isolated to Glendale," he said. "We are seeing these in Pasadena, Burbank, [Los Angeles]. Criminals don't know the boundaries, so we make sure that we talk to our counterparts."
In the last 30 days, nine vehicle burglaries were reported in west Glendale. Another 55 vehicle break-ins occurred in the last six months.
In an effort to get more residents interested in crime fighting, police have been holding town-hall-style meetings throughout the city to inform them about crime trends in their areas.
"What we think is important oftentimes isn't as important to you all," Capt. Kirk Palmer told residents.
So he said having neighborhood meetings has given police an opportunity to explain the department's new area command structure and to hear concerns.
With the new command structure, residents will have increased access to police officers designated to their areas. For patrolling and police resource purposes, the department has divided the city into the south, west, east and north command areas.
Lt. Bruce Fox oversees operations for the west command.
Officers urged residents to join or start neighborhood watch groups to better help identify crime trends in their areas.
Ten neighborhood watch groups have been established in west Glendale, said Officer Kelly Annis, who is assigned to the area.
