Topanga Town Council President Carrie Carrier hosted the June 15 Zoom meeting with reports from the Sheriff’s department, LACoFD, and CHP.
Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Captain Jennifer Seetoo joined the meeting and was warmly received by all.
“I already like you guys, so many familiar faces and friends, I can’t wait to reconnect,” she said. “Topanga is very near and dear to my heart. I look forward to working with each one of you, you are incredible partners… I feel truly blessed that the community supports us that much. I live in Westlake Village and I want to stay here as long as possible. James Grasso and I will plan a ride- along through Topanga—I like seeing what’s changed and refresh my memory on the ins and outs.”
Sheriff’s Dept. Briefing. Deputy Richard Baldi, the Sheriff’s Liaison for Topanga, reported on the incidents noting that crime was down by 34.8 percent in April and down 12 percent in May over 2021.
Noteworthy events for April included the theft of a catalytic converter in the 1200 block of North Topanga Canyon Blvd. from a 2002 Ford F-550 truck. No suspect(s) seen or heard.
Deputy Baldi reported a package theft in the 3100 block of Voltaire Drive that contained two laptops. There was a vehicle theft in the 1900 block of North Topanga Cyn. Blvd. CHP West Valley Division recovered the vehicle two days later.
LOCK YOUR DOORS, FOLKS!
Crime for May included two residential burglaries on the 3100 block of Hodler Drive. In one incident, suspects unknown made entry via an unlocked sliding door while the victim and family were sleeping inside the residence. Video footage showed two males wearing dark clothing. Property taken was a laptop, iPad, iPhone, ear pods, purse, vehicle key and wallet. The ear pods pinged to a location in Van Nuys.
In the second incident, laptops, headphones and a backpack were stolen. Video footage showed two males wearing dark clothing and gloves; there were no signs of forced entry and the victims were asleep during the incident.
A residential burglary occurred in the 3300 block of Summit Pointe Drive. Entry was made via an unlocked rear sliding glass door. An iPad was stolen and found pinging in San Fernando.
A residential burglary was reported in the 22000 block of Alta Ridge Drive. There were no signs of forced entry; a cell phone, tools, checks and U.S. currency were stolen. No suspects were seen or heard.
A purse was stolen in the 100 block of Old Topanga Canyon Road. The victim had her purse hanging on the back of a chair at the location, left the table for a short period, returned and noticed her purse was missing. The victim was alerted of attempted charges on a stolen credit card at a Whole Foods Market in Woodland Hills. Video footage at Whole Foods showed a male and a female in their 40’s to 50’s attempting to purchase gift cards with the stolen credit card.
An electric bicycle was stolen from a driveway in the 21900 block of Canon Drive; no suspects(s) seen or heard. A traffic sign message board was stolen from the area of Calabasas Peak Mountainway and Old Topanga Canyon road.
Fire Department Briefing. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Drew Smith reported that for April and May, Station 69 worked with the Sheriff’s and the CHP for several incidents in the Canyon, including one vehicle fire and 13 calls. “What we do see in the Canyon is that our engine companies are reporting obstacles from cars parked illegally on the road,” he said. “Our fire trucks are 26 feet long and weigh 120,000 pounds; it’s tough enough to navigate Topanga but compounded by vehicles illegally parked and blocking fire hydrants is a challenge. We will make notifications throughout the Canyon that rogue parking is becoming a problem. Spread the word to the community.”
CHP Report. For April, California Highway Patrol Officer Wes Haver reported for Topanga Canyon Blvd. from two-mile bridge to L.A. City limits (Cezanne Ave.), that the CHP responded to six traffic collisions. Of the six collisions reported, four were injury and two were property damage-only. The “primary collision factors” were unsafe turning movement, unsafe speed, unsafe start, and unsafe passing on the left. There was one traffic collision for the same reporting period in 2021.
For Topanga Canyon Boulevard from two-mile bridge to PCH, the CHP responded to two traffic collisions. Of the two collisions reported, one was an injury and one was a property damage-only. The “primary collision factors” were unsafe passing on the left and unsafe turning movement. There were four traffic collisions for the same reporting period in 2021.
For May, Officer Haver reported that for Topanga Canyon Blvd. from two-mile bridge to L.A. City limits (Cezanne Ave.) the CHP responded to nine traffic collisions. Of the nine collisions reported, five were injury collisions and four were property damage-only. The “primary collision factors” of the collisions were unsafe turning movement, unsafe entry onto highway, and unsafe passing on the right. There were three traffic collisions for the same reporting period in 2021.
For Topanga Canyon Boulevard from two-mile bridge to PCH, the CHP responded to zero traffic collisions. There were five traffic collisions for the same reporting period in 2021.
To report unsafe driving behaviors in Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains, please call CHP dispatch at (323) 259-3200.
NOTE: The Town Council will take a summer hiatus in July and Aug. returning on Sept. 14.
Topanga Access Cards—Renew your cards online. First-time cardholders should call to arrange an appointment at (310) 455-3001, then press 0 to leave your name and phone number. Call Lindsay Zook for an appointment at (310) 569-8931 or purchase online at: topangatowncouncil.org
The Topanga Town Council is looking for volunteers to help on various activities. For more info, email us at: contact@topangatowncouncil.org or (310) 455-3001
RESOURCES:
Third District Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s Office—Contact Tessa Charnofsky at TCharnofsky@bos.lacounty.gov; (818) 880-9416
State Senator Henry Stern—Contact Jeremy Wolf at Jeremy.Wolf@sen.ca.gov;
(818) 876-3352
Assemblymember Richard Bloom—Contact Tim Pershing at Tim.Pershing@asm.ca.gov;
(310) 450-0041
Topanga Canyon Town Council
Formed in 1977 in response to needs unique to the mountain community, residents created the TCTC to serve as a liaison with Topanga’s official governing body, the Los Angeles County Supervisor’s Office. For information: onetopanga.com/topanga-town-council; (310) 455-3001.
