San Pedro neighbors light LED candles, band together to combat crime

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A little light is sending out a big message to criminals in San Pedro that residents are watching.

"Watching out for our own house, for our own vehicles, but watching out for our neighbors' items as well and our neighbors' homes," said Brian Vassallo of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

Vassallo and his wife came up with the idea of putting out mason jars containing LED candles on their porches and front windows, and the word then spread on social media. Now, thousands of residents are lighting up their doorsteps.

"We're all here. We're all together in this and we're a community, and we're watching out for each other," said Ariana Browning.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino says the Harbor area has seen a spike in property-related crimes, including car theft, burglary and tagging.

"That was the call for action here in the San Pedro area," Buscaino said.

San Pedro resident Jose Lomei says suspects spray-painted both of his vans.

"I ended up having to pay to have the paint removed," he said.

Officials are concerned about a surge in crime, particularly homicides, in Los Angeles. Last month alone, 39 people were killed in L.A.

"This last month in August was a brutal month for the city of Los Angeles, specifically in South Los Angeles you saw a rise in homicides," Buscaino said.

San Pedro residents say property crime is currently their biggest issue. They say taking this symbolic step to police their own community has brought them together.

"I feel safer just knowing that there's other people that are willing to do the same thing and it makes a good community strong," said Nicholas Browning.

The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council initially bought about 500 LED candles to hand out to residents, but many people went out and purchased their own.