Police Get Memo : Critic of Project Finds Vice Squad at His Front Door

A suggestion that a proposed $2-billion development may bring prostitutes to the sedately suburban streets of Porter Ranch brought out the vice squad--to the door of the project’s leading opponent.

Los Angeles Police Department vice detectives showed up Tuesday at the home of Robert Birch to ask him what he knows about prostitutes.

Although police deny it, an angry Birch complained that the investigators were sent to harass him by supporters of the massive residential and commercial development.

“It was a political dirty trick,” Birch said Wednesday. “I think the police should be concerned if they were used as part of a political dirty trick. They should be as angry as I am.”

The prostitution suggestion came in April when Birch filed an 86-point argument against the project with the Los Angeles Planning Commission. The sixth question on Birch’s list was: “What will be the rate of prostitution in the completed development?”

Sent Anonymously

After an anonymous person sent Birch’s 86-question list to them, police decided they had some questions for Birch.

“We didn’t think any prostitution was happening in that part of the Valley,” said Lt. Russ Leach. “We wanted to find out if he knew something we didn’t,” added Cmdr. William Booth. “When people speak knowledgeably, we go talk to them.”

Booth said police believe the document was forwarded to vice officers by someone from the city Planning Department.

But Birch said he suspects it was planted by supporters of the plan to build 2,195 single-family homes, 800 multifamily housing units and 7.5 million square feet of commercial space in Porter Ranch.

Birch said a vice officer told him that a document apparently handwritten and signed by Birch accompanied the 86-point list. But Birch denied ever submitting such a document to the city. Such a forgery “ought to be investigated by the police,” Birch said.

Police said there is no such document.

Birch said he filed a complaint with Police Chief Daryl F. Gates’ office. He said Leach, an aide to Gates, apologized for the incident. Leach denied apologizing, however. “What is there to apologize for? People send us things and we’re required to follow up,” he said.

Birch said the prostitution question asked of city planners was an honest one. “It was a hypothetical question. I’m not an expert on prostitution, but I’m knowledgeable about human society. To ask the question was not to favor the activity.”

According to Birch, his 86-question list also included inquiries about how the Porter Ranch population increase will affect the murder rate and crimes such as incest, illegal drug use and gang activity.

He said he is waiting for visits from police homicide detectives, child abuse investigators, the narcotics unit and the anti-gang squad.