Angry and Worried Residents Demand Crackdown on Crime

Frustrated San Fernando Valley residents met Saturday with a city panel to demand an end to mounting violence, calling for law-abiding citizens to take a stronger stance against neighborhood crime.

About 60 people gathered at the meeting in Sylmar, the first of seven forums sponsored by the Criminal Justice Panel, a group of volunteers organized by the Los Angeles city attorney’s office in response to worries of residents.

Those who spoke at the meeting at the Sylmar Recreation Center talked on a variety of local issues ranging from the death of a Sherman Oaks woman who was killed last week during a carjacking attempt to traffic tie-ups. But the majority agreed on one thing: They are fed up with the fear they said is sweeping through their neighborhoods.

“We’re sick and tired of the way these crimes are going on,” said Sandy Hubbard of the Lake View Terrace Improvement Assn. “We’re enraged.”

Mike Qualls, spokesman for City Atty. James K. Hahn, said the meetings were motivated by widespread worries about street crime, as well as concerns surrounding possible unrest after verdicts are announced in the trial of four police officers accused of beating Rodney G. King and depriving him of his civil rights.

Because the King beating “occurred in the Foothill area, we wanted to go back to the East Valley to pick up the people’s input here,” Qualls said.

Several residents stood up to voice their worries about a possible replay of last year’s rioting.

“No one is being told what to prepare for,” said Ray Setterstrom of the Arleta Chamber of Commerce. “No one seems to care that our minds should be put to rest.”

Others had their say on topics such as graffiti taggers and a lenient judicial system.

When youths get away with graffiti, “they go on to bigger crimes, and then they end up with guns,” said Jose Bonilla, chairman of the Arleta Chamber of Commerce.

Erla McMurray of Sylmar agreed that graffiti is rampant. “We paint out graffiti and in 15 minutes it’s back again. . . . We’re only doing things to clean up after the problem,” instead of preventing youth crime, she said.

Even when the spray can-wielding teen-agers are caught, they are seldom punished, some said.

“Getting the police to make an arrest is like pulling teeth,” said Charlotte Bedard of Sylmar Graffiti Busters, as many in the audience nodded in agreement. Others called for tougher laws.

Los Angeles Police Lt. Gary Hallden asked the public to press officials for tougher sentencing. “We arrest the same people over and over, but they just don’t get prosecuted,” Hallden told the audience.

While some residents simply vented their anger about car theft, prostitution, liquor stores and illegal street vendors, others offered measures to combat the problems. They suggested starting watchdog groups to ensure that judges issue appropriate sentences, providing crime prevention information to community groups and making youthful offenders perform community service.

Hubbard said the main measure of the success for Hahn’s meetings will be if any changes come about because of them.

“We have vigilantism on the part of the community,” Hubbard said, referring to an increased interest by residents in crime-watch groups. And now, active community members have to push to ensure that government responds to their calls for a crime-free city, she said.

Panelists will compile findings of all seven meetings after the final forum, scheduled for next January. Hahn, who is up for reelection April 20, said he hopes to present suggestions to the City Council and state Legislature.

The next meeting will take place in the Harbor area in June. Other meetings will be held in South-Central Los Angeles, the West Valley, the Westside, East Los Angeles and Hollywood.