Garage fire in Glassell Park

The black smoke seen rising above Glassell Park after 1 pm was apparently the result of a car that caught on fire inside a garage in the 3600 block of Kinney Place, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. No injuries were reported. Thanks to Carrie Coxwell for offering up the photo.

Photo by Carrie Coxwell via Flickr

Dear Eastsider: Crime on a cul de sac has a resident worried

Amanda who lives in Silver Lake near the intersection of Rowena, Glendale and Fletcher asks how to protect her dead-end street from crime after a trio of vehicle break-ins and vandalism, including the theft of a car hood.

"I obviously wish I could rely on the police but I am not sure what they can do, besides patrol. Do you or your readers have any suggestions on how to protect our street and neighborhood from these petty crimes? It's well lit, but I think what lets these predators prey is we are not a through street; therefore [there is ] less of a risk of getting caught. I would really appreciate any advice at this point."

In memory of a Highland Park bus boy

The Boulevard Sentinel notes that the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council honored the memory of Enrique Ramirez, who died from a stabbing at Garvanza Park in May, with a moment of silence. Ramirez, a bus boy at Carrows on York Boulevard, was a familiar face to many of the council members who attend committee meetings at the Highland Park restaurant.

"He was described as an outgoing, friendly person by those that knew him from his work at Carrow's on York Bl. He was very fast when bussing tables, learned English rapidly and eventually advanced to taking beverage orders. He was known for helping the wait staff when things got really busy. Community members say it seems like a bad dream now that he is missing from there. They can make no sense of something like this happening to him."

Ramirez' remains were flown to Mexico following a funeral service at St. Ignatius Church.

Photo from Elle525235 via Flickr

Atwater Neighborhood watch to explore "Community in Action"

The Atwater Village Neighborhood Watch meeting on Thursday night will serve as the launch for a program called "Community Action." So, what is it? Ginger with the neighborhood watch explains:

"Community in action is a concept of encouraging a community to be one. We are striving for community awareness, emergency prepardness and social activities. Atwater Village has such great diversity I hope to maintain this wonderful quality."

The area's LAPD captains and a presentation on emergency preparedness are also on the agenda.

A gang raid worthy of a block party

It's been nearly a year since the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies launched a massive raid on the Avenues Gang stronghold on Drew Street in Glassell Park. To honor the occasion, and show off the difference in the neighborhood, officials are throwing a Drew Street Block Party next weekend, according to Northeast Division Capt. Bill Murphy in his Northeast Newsletter. "This area has improved dramatically and we are going to celebrate with live music, free food, entertainment, and other kids activities," Murphy said.

In other crime news, Murphy notes a cluster of Highland Park car break-ins and some sporadic crime along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock and Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park-Silver Lake. So far this year, major crime in the division is down more than 20% compared to 2008. That includes a drop in murders to 8 from 18.

Other notable news was the turnout of more than 1,000 people for Peace in the Northeast March in Highland Park. But some readers are disputing that figure as too high, according to one reader.

In other news. the Northeast Community Police Advisory Board will meet on Monday in Eagle Rock.

Eastside Crime Watch

Stolen cars and thefts from vehicles were the major problems reported during the week of June 8-14, with car thieves hitting hard in Boyle Heights and Highland Park

Echo Park & Silver Lake (90026)
This past weekend was a busy one for vehicle crime, with four grand theft autos as well as theft from vehicles reported. A total of 10 crimes were reported during the week.

Lincoln Heights & Montecito Heights (90031)
Two thefts from vehicles parked on Flora Street in Montecito Heights were among the crimes reported during the week.

El Sereno & Monterey Hills (90032)
The eastern edge of El Sereno was hit with three reports of grand theft auto this weekend.

Boyle Heights (90033)
Mott Street was a bad place to park your car, with items stolen from three vehicles. The area near St. Louis and Michigan streets was another hot spot as two aggravated assaults were reported and a pair of vehicles were stolen.

Atwater Village & Silver Lake (90039)
Only a pair of vehicle crimes was reported (or there is a glitch in online crime reports)

Eagle Rock (90041)
There was a report of a stolen vehicle and a violent robbery on Yosemite Drive in the eastern edge of Eagle Rock.

Highland Park (90042)
Four grand theft autos south of York Boulevard were reported.

Cypress Park, Glassell Park & Mt. Washington (90065)
An aggravated assault on Arroyo Seco Avenue was among the six, mostly vehicle related, crimes reported.

This weekly report is based on the LAPD's online crime maps and police department reports filtered through EveryBlock.com

Photo by bcmasac1 via Flickr

Brush fire shuts down 5 Freeway lanes in Silver Lake *

A small brush fire is reported to have closed some southbound lanes of the 5 Freeway as it transitions to the 2 Freeway in Silver Lake, reports a resident who watched a report on ABC7. The fire appears to be in the median of the freeway.

The California Highway Patrol website reports that the southbound 5 was closed at Los Feliz Boulevard as of 4:27 p.m. Lanes to the southbound 2 were also closed.


* Update @ 5:10 pm: CHP reopened the southbound 5 shortly before 5 p.m. and canceled a SigAlert.
Photo by Diane Edwardson

Double murder in Boyle Heights

Two men were found shot dead early this morning in Boyle Heights in the 3400 block of First Street, according to police. The victims, described as Latinos between the ages of 35 to 40, were found lying on the sidewalk shortly after 3 a.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, said LAPD spokesman Gregory Baek. Police have no suspects or motivation for the double murder.

Suspects still being sought in Highland Park slayings

Police continue to look for more suspects in the fatal shooting of two Highland Park teens. EGP News & LA Times

Echo Park gunfire *

Multiple gunshots were reported after 11 pm. tonight in Echo Park near Scott Avenue and Mohawk Street, according to a resident who was monitoring a police scanner. A helicopter is now hovering over that part of the neighborhood. One resident reported hearing as many as a dozen shots.

* Update: An officer at the Northeast Division front desk said no injuries were reported.

Police arrest man in the shooting of two Highland Park teens *

Felix Gomez, Jr., 18, also known as "Shorty," was expected to be arraigned this afternoon about three months after the fatal shootings of two Highland Park teenagers as they walked along Figueroa Street, the Los Angeles District attorney said in a press release. Since Gomez was 17 at the time of the shooting he would face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole if convicted of the charges.

Many residents were not only angered by the shooting but by the lack of media coverage in the wake of the killings. The Eastsider posted a story about the lack of coverage and the response from several media outlets.

Police detectives have said previously that the two victims, Carlos Hernandez, 14, and Alejandro Garcia, 15, were not believed to be gang members.

Gomez was arrested Wednesday and has been held without bail.

* This story has been updated throughout with new information.

Related stories:
* Police make progress in solving the murder of two Highland Park teenagers. Neon Tommy
* Living with Highland Park gangs and a video on one of the victims. Neon Tommy

Marching for peace in Northeast

Residents and police will hold a Peace in the Northeast march against violence on Saturday morning in Highland Park. While crime stats show a drop in crime compared to last year, Highland Park has experiences several shootings, including the deaths of two boys walking from school on Figueroa Street. More information on the march from Northeast Division Capt. Bill Murphy:

"Just want to remind everyone about the Peace in Northeast March this Saturday June 13, 2009, @ 10 AM, Sycamore Grove Park (4702 N. Figueroa St.). This will be a great opportunity for all the residents of Northeast Area to come out and march aginst violence on our strrets. Last year's march was a tremendous sucess and we hope to have even more people march this year. Please come and make it a family day and march with your your neighbors.

We are still looking for donations of water for the march participants. If you know anyone (businesses or residents) who could donate water please call 213-485-2549. Thanks and hope to see you there Saturday! Bill"