Mayor Bass orders increased LAPD patrols after string of recent burglaries in San Fernando Valley
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Mayor Karen Bass has ordered additional police patrols in parts of the San Fernando Valley following several recent burglaries that have heightened concerns among residents and business owners.
The move comes after a series of break-ins, including another burglary at Cara Vana Coffee Shop in North Hollywood -- the third there in the last five months -- and multiple home robberies reported across Valley neighborhoods.
From business burglaries to home invasions, residents say more needs to be done in the San Fernando Valley to cut the crime.
"After they were taking the report about my home invasion, they got another call of another home invasion within a mile away. It's pretty scary," said Nina, whose Studio City home was hit in January.
Overnight, there was yet another break-in in Studio City, and the perpetrator is still on the loose.
It happened on Friday around 8:30 p.m. on Radford Avenue while the victim was home.
Police say a man wearing a surgical mask likely entered through an unlocked window, but got spooked by the resident and left.
Several homes in Valley Village were targeted this week, adding to concerns voiced throughout the area.
RELATED: Burglars target 2 Valley Village homes within minutes, raising concerns of coordinated break-ins
"It's your safe space, so just to think that that can happen wherever, especially here in the Valley. You kind of expect that in the city," said Keonere Manasala of Northridge.
Busy Ventura Boulevard is now becoming a key corridor for deploying resources. Mayor Bass ordered Los Angeles police to step up patrols along the thoroughfare so that officers are closer to respond to calls and hopefully catch the criminals.
Some residents welcome the move but question whether it will be enough.
"I don't think it'll be enough, but we do need to step it up. It needs to be stepped up pretty hard, and need to go ahead and have patrols here, maybe nightly," said Oscar Torno of Woodland Hills.
SEE ALSO: Neighbors on high alert as LAPD investigates growing string of San Fernando Valley home burglaries
In Granada Hills, residents have reported a rash of break-ins over the last several weeks.
"Some nicer homes, newer residents, they are the new targets," said Malik Naibi of the Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council.
All across the Valley, frustration remains high, with many residents calling for more efforts to keep homeowners safe and changes in the law to hold thieves accountable.
"You shouldn't have to feel unsafe at home," Nina said. "This is supposed to be your safe haven. You shouldn't feel like, 'I can't go to sleep in peace knowing that someone's going to have the right to break into my property, and I can't defend myself.'"
Victims like Nina say the incidents have changed how they view things and taken away their sense of safety.
There has been no word on when the extra Valley patrols will officially begin.
RELATED: LAPD investigating 4 home burglaries within 24 hours in San Fernando Valley
