Sheriff enhances Westlake policing
Preventing crimes before they occur

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the city of Westlake Village have begun two new community policing programs to help reduce crime.

The Victims Intervention Program and Westlake Bike Team were funded by the city of Westlake after a study revealed that the majority of crimes in the city are crimes involving property, such as burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

The Victims Intervention Program will provide assistance to crime victims by educating them as to what steps they can take to avert future risk.

According to Lt. Joe Stephen of the Lost Hill Sheriff's Station, homes often fall prey to poor outdoor lighting and faulty locking mechanisms. Identifying and resolving these issues can deter risk, Stephen said.

"When your neighborhood experiences a burglary, it's a tragedy. Your want to know, 'How did they get in?'" said Ned Davis, president of the Westlake Village Trails neighborhood association.

"The VIP program is available to Westlake residents before they become a victim of a property crime," Davis said. "It will reduce the opportunity for crime, increase the presence of the sheriff in your neighborhood."

The Westlake Village Bike Team was first deployed during the Christmas holidays in the Westlake Village business districts. Deputies interacted with citizens and encouraged them to participate in a Community Policing Survey.

The 700 surveys sought opinion about local public safety and overall feelings about the Lost Hills station.

"Because we're lucky enough to have very little serious crime, we also don't have much interaction with the sheriff's department," said Karin Borzakian, a business ower.

"The downside is that when issues do arise, we don't have a direct line of communication. This is a great way to allow us to share information," Borzakian said.

Both programs utilize Community Policing through Environmental Design, a form of community policing which emphasizes a problem solving approach to crime prevention and cooperation between police and residents.