Gearing Up For Summer In Venice Beach - Safety Tips

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Even though last year we didn’t have our normal warm Summer, the crowds in Venice Beach never did the seasonal wind-down. Even the yearly “June-gloom” isn’t enough to keep the crowds at bay when the weather heats up inland - so now is a perfect time to give yourself a safety check to ensure that you have a crime-free life at the beach!

Here is a quick check-list to gear up for a safe Summer!

Bikes:

Write down your bike serial number!

Get a U-lock ( Popularly known as a Kryptonite )

Lock up responsibly! Your lock might be great but the thing you lock your bike to might enable a thief to steal it.

Bike Laws:

• Bicyclist Rights (CVC 21200) Bicyclists have all the rights and responsibilities of vehicle drivers.
• Alcohol and Drugs (CVC 21200.5) It is against the law to ride a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Bicycle Lane Use (CVC 21208) Bicyclists traveling slower than traffic must use bike lanes except when making a left turn, passing, or avoiding hazardous conditions.Obstruction of Pedestrians (CVC 21210) Bicyclists may not leave bicycles on their sides on the sidewalk or park bicycles in a manner which obstructs pedestrians.
• Bikeway Obstruction (CVC 21211) No one may stop on or park a bicycle on a bicycle path.
• Direction of Travel (CVC 21650) Bicyclist must travel on the right side of the roadway in the direction of traffic.
• Head Phones (CVC 27400) Bicyclists may not wear earplugs in both ears or a headset covering both ears, except hearing aids.
• Sidewalk Riding (LAMC 56.15) Prohibits the riding of bicycles (or other human power devices) on sidewalks (bikeways or boardwalks) with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Disallows the riding of bicycles on Ocean Front Walk in Venice.

Your Home:

Keep doors and windows LOCKED when you leave your home, even for a moment! Thieves look for OPPORTUNITY - don’t ever give them one!

If you are home and have doors or windows open, invest in a wireless window alarm system or an alarmed door brace. These devices will go off if a window is moved, or if someone even places their hand on the door knob. These are VERY inexpensive devices, under $30 each that are very effective in deterring thieves. With all the foot traffic around Venice Beach, it is easy for thieves to blend in on any street.

Know a neighbor! Not everyone loves their neighbors, nor can most people afford the time to organize or participate in a neighborhood watch. Make an effort to get to know at least one neighbor that will agree to an exchange of each of you watching out for one another’s property.

Keep your belongings locked up! Hoses, bikes, even outdoor grill equipment… anything is worth a few bucks to a thief. Items left laying around outside are attractive to a burglar, and it keeps them hanging around long enough to scope out what else you might have.

Your Car

Lock it and keep it! Of course make sure all your doors are locked and windows are rolled up tightly.

Keep GPS AND chargers for phones and other electronics out of sight!!! Thieves are smart enough to know if they see an iPod charger, you probably just put the iPod in the glove box. It only takes a second to do a smash and grab.

Lo Jack! It works! We hear the police following Lo Jack vehicles all the time and the recovery rate is amazing! Totally worth the investment not only in quickly getting your car back, but in nabbing these nasty and aggressive thieves.

Personal Security

Alarm your purse! With a simple personal alarm that attaches to your purse or bag, you can easily arm you belongings. If someone tries to steal or nab your bag, the alarm sends out a screetching alarm typically resulting in a thief dropping the item. Don’t let someone get away with your cell phone, wallet, and most importantly that expensive Chanel lipstick!

Joggers mace is a handy hand- held mace canister designed to fit strapped to your hand while jogging or walking your dog. Keeps the mace securely in your hand. Last thing you need is to be fumbling for a personal safety device when you need it most.

LAPD Officers tell us a high number of robbery and assault victims are walking while texting, or paying attention to their phone and not their surroundings… so when walking along especially… be aware and keep the phone in your pocket!