Los Angeles City Councilman Bob Blumenfield introduced a motion on Friday, Aug. 25, seeking to establish a police substation at Westfield Topanga Shopping Center, prompted by a spike in organized retail thefts across the Southland.
“The Los Angeles Police Department cannot and should not serve as private security for Westfield, but it is imperative to explore options on how the city can best help address mass theft and other crime — not just at this shopping mall, but in the surrounding Warner Center neighborhood,” according to Blumenfield’s motion.
The motion would instruct the LAPD, with assistance from the city administrative office and chief legislative analyst, to report back on the feasibility of creating a substation at the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center.
Deployment decisions for LAPD are solely at the discretion of the chief of police, as stated in the city’s charter. However, the city can explore and study opportunities to create substations within a division to enhance deployment, especially in areas of the city where LAPD divisions cover large geographic areas, according to Blumenfield’s motion.
The councilman also notes residents in the West San Fernando Valley have been asking for a police substation at the shopping center, which is the second most-visited mall in Southern California, for several years.
In addition, in the past 15 years, more than 10,000 housing units have been constructed or permitted in the Warner Center area. Based on those numbers, the motion states, the city should explore if it is feasible to “take advantage of space at Westfield for more officers to be centrally located within Warner Center.”
On Aug. 13, an organized theft ring of about 30 to 50 individuals stormed the Nordstrom at the Westfield Topanga Shopping Center and stole $300,000 worth of merchandise, as reported by the LAPD.
Blumenfield’s motion comes a week after Mayor Karen Bass alongside leaders from various law enforcement agencies…
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