LAPD Captain Robert Arcos, who heads 77th Street Division, in the inaugural Captain's Corner video. (Screenshot via YouTube)
The LAPD's 77th Street Division is 11.3 square miles, and is home to about 180,000 people.
Captain Robert Arcos, who heads the division, can't talk to all of them, but one of his latest efforts shows that he's trying.
"Captain's Corner" is a new video series in which Arcos plans to discuss trends in part-one crimes in his division: homicide, rape, aggravated assault, theft, robbery, burglary, burglary/theft from motor vehicles and grand theft auto. He said it will "go in the same flow as COMPSTAT," a crime control model which the LAPD says consists of "four distinct principles":
1. Accurate and timely intelligence
2. Effective tactics
3. Rapid deployment
4. Relentless follow-up and assessment
Arcos, who wants to release a new video every two weeks or so, says the goal of the brief videos will be to break down part-one crime stats and give residents "an understanding of the number that we're having." It'll also highlight any events in the division residents might want to attend. The captain added he's committed to this project because community policing is something that's "very near and dear" to him.
The first installment of Captain's Corner went live on the division's website on Friday. In it, Arcos told viewers he wanted to give them a "crime picture" of 77th St., and also underscored two priorities: crime reduction and community engagement.
"Currently for this year, our part-one crime statistics stand at a 1-percent reduction from last year," he says, adding that translates to 35 fewer crimes than this year to date.
He also focused on the problem of people's cars getting broken into and stolen from, a problem most southside officers seem to share.
"Currently, our burglary/theft from motor vehicle increases are causing me some concern," he said. "And I think should cause you concern too."
Arcos encouraged viewers to "harden the target" and "help deter crime" by following the advice of the LAPD's Lock It, Hide It, Keep It campaign.
"That's the most important phrase you should be saying to yourself when you park your car and leave your vehicle," the captain said.
Arcos encourages folks to contact his senior lead officers – whom he calls his "ambassadors" to the people of 77th St. Division – with tips, comments and questions. They can be reached at (213) 847-2817.
