School’s Out … Crime goes up?

Lake Los Angeles - Ask any law enforcement officer who’s worried about the increase in crime, and they’ll likely tell you a version of the same thing: ‘It’s about to get worse’. That’s because rates of violent crime typically go up during the warm weather months.

Explanations run the gamut. Teens and young adults are out of school unsupervised with nothing to do, so they get in trouble. Hot weather promotes hot tempers. Despite the headlines, it’s unclear whether the uptick in crime during the summer is directly tied to kids being out of school. Data suggests it may not be. Explanations go on and on.

Nothing to do? Have you gone to Sorensen Park in Lake Los Angeles? Basketball, skateboarding, soccer, softball are a few things to do right here at home in the park!

Resident Deputy Borruel has this heavily on his mind and wants LLA residents to know, “Summertime is family fun time, not time for our kids getting into trouble.

“The school year has ended, and the kids will be going into a new school setting this August, experiencing new changes in their lives. Summer is here and the kids will be out of their normal school routine. Loitering on the street or running with the wrong influence will do nothing but get kids into trouble.

“Look at what is offered at the library and the park. Call Regina and ask her what the plans are at the park. Parks After Dark (PAD) starts soon so there is even more for families and kids to do during the warm evening hours during PAD again this summer. There are meals for 18 and under at both the park and the library. The park and library have air conditioning for a cooling off place too.”

Crime is on the rise everywhere and that is nothing new to anyone.

There have been statements about law enforcement coverage in Lake Los Angeles. Borruel wants everyone to know, “Lake Los Angeles is fully staffed at all times. Our normal units are assigned and on patrol whether you see us or not. Although it may appear that I, as your Resident Deputy, am enough, I am backed by patrol support out here or a radio call away in case of an emergency. I am concerned about our LLA young adults being out of school and parents being at work with their kids being unattended and getting caught by a bad influence. When that happens, crimes go up and our detectives experience an increase in caseload. I want all of our LLA youth to have a clean record. LASD has a zero tolerance for crime and our units will be out here.”

Deputy Borruel encourages parents to know where their kids are and what they are doing during those times when they are unattended due to parents being at work and the kids being at home instead of school. Take advantage of the park and other programs that encourage kids to stay out of trouble and have a fun memorable summer.

By Shirley Harriman