VAN NUYS : Merchants Meet to Form Business Watch

More than 30 merchants met for the first time this week to establish the Corporate/Business Watch in the western Van Nuys area.

Led by Senior Lead Officer Joe Losorelli of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Van Nuys Division, 32 people representing as many companies discussed issues from crime prevention to dealing with panhandlers for nearly two hours Wednesday at the Best Western Airtel Plaza Hotel.

The meeting was peppered with questions about robberies, graffiti, shoplifting and other business-related crimes, which Losorelli answered with a variety of tips. He recommended adding lighting to deter criminals and he handed out criminal description sheets that help police identify criminals after a robbery.

Shelly Joanis, who organized the watch program, said she was pleased at the turnout.

Joanis expects more merchants at the next meeting, which will focus on tackling graffiti. It will be held July 27 at 6 p.m. at American Pacific State Bank, 16600 Sherman Way.

“Overall, it was really positive,” said Joanis, co-owner of Lutz Copies & Printing. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.”

Merchants in an area from Woodley Avenue to Balboa Boulevard and from Victory to Roscoe boulevards were invited to the meeting.

“I think it’s something we definitely need in the west Van Nuys area,” said Jim Porter, an ex-LAPD reserve officer now serving as vice president-manager of American Pacific State Bank. “To have the community involved just makes for a more secure area for preventing crime.”