A series of burglaries – and one break-in that possibly led to double homicide – have forced people in Encino to reevaluate their home protection options.
As neighbors have expressed their anger and outrage that the city of LA and the LAPD are not doing enough to protect them, the police department said it’s “intensified” its crime suppression strategy while preparing to roll out a “comprehensive deployment plan.”
“Although crime statistics in Encino reflect a year-over-year decline, the LAPD recognizes that for those impacted by crime—especially the recent tragic double homicide and a series of home break-ins—statistics offer little comfort,” the LAPD said in a statement. “The department is prioritizing safety and community reassurance through a layered and sustained response effort.”
The police department said there will be increased police presence in the Encino area, especially during evening and overnight hours, with more officers monitoring on foot. The LAPD also promised to add more police helicopter flyovers and patrols by officers on horseback.
As more neighbors are looking to take matters into their own hands, security industry veteran Zeke Unger said early detection is key to preventing dangerous situations while using “barriers” to deter would-be burglars.
“We use natural barriers, physical barriers and sophisticated equipment,” Unger said. “Trees would be considered natural barriers, absolutely, because they keep people from getting in because of the dense foliage. When you put that in coordination with a fence, it’s a great combination.
Additional layers of protection could be pricey as high-end systems can cost as much $100,000.
But Unger said there are some more affordable DIY options, including a camera system with motion detection and lighting. One option Unger showed NBCLA was about $200.
The expert also recommended people have a fire extinguisher when encountering a burglar.
“Spray them in the face if they’re that close,” Unger said. “It gives you some coverage to get away but mainly it takes the oxygen out of the air. It won’t hurt somebody but it will disorient them.”
Another option is bear spray in high stress situations because there’s nothing that can jam, Unger explained.