Chandler Park Neighborhood Association

March Meeting Recap

2010-03-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all our neighbors who attended, and to Anita at Hallenbeck’s for again being our gracious host.

LAPD Senior Lead Officer John Catalano gave a detailed presentation about crime in the North Hollywood area, and what we can all do to keep our community safe and secure. Officer Catalano emphasized that while we continue to have one of the safest neighborhoods in NoHo, there have been problem areas nearby. In an economic environment where City resources are stretched thin, staying alert and communicative with your neighbors is key to keeping our community secure. Here are some specific suggestions:

- Advise your neighbors if you are going to be away from home for an extended period.

- If you see someone unknown hopping over a neighbor’s fence, peeking into windows or removing items from a home when you know your neighbor is at work or away, call 911 to report a burglary suspect. If you can, get a vehicle description with license number, and/or get a photograph with a cell phone or camera.

- If you see a suspicious vehicle and person(s) parked on your street for an extended period of time, take down the license number and/or photograph the vehicle and occupant(s) with a cell phone or camera. This info may be of great help in potential LAPD investigations, and can be forwarded to Officer Catalano via email: 32740@lapd.lacity.org

- If an unfamiliar vehicle with out-of-state or temporary plates is parked on your street for an extended period, take down the license number and/or photograph it and advise Officer Catalano via email.

- Do not store valuables such as cash, jewelry or credit cards in places where a thief might first look, like a counter or top dresser drawer. The harder you make it for a potential burglar to find your valuables, the more secure they will be.

- Never leave valuables in your car. It takes only seconds for a thief to break a window and steal them.

- If someone unknown knocks on your door, you do not have to open the door, but always verbally respond in some way. Thieves specifically look for unoccupied homes.

- Be wary of scam artists, and/or unknown individuals who try to lure you outside your home temporarily with a pretense. This could be someone in the guise of a sales person, a person asking for donations or accompanying a child to look for a lost pet. These are some of the ways scam artists and burglary teams operate. In general, use discretion when dealing with a stranger at your door.

- Refrain from leaving your garage door open and unattended for an extended period of time, even during daytime.

- Placing outside lights, motion detectors and alarm service signs on your property can also deter crime.

While we have streamlined the neighborhood communication process, there are concerns that some of our neighbors may not have access to the internet and email. If you have a neighbor who may be in that situation, please reach out to them or simply print out these messages for them. It will help bring the community together, keep us all safer and our homes more secure. Other City resources/contact info may be found here.

We also had tentative discussions about holding a community block party, possibly in April or May. If you have any suggestions, or would like to be involved in setting up such an event, please contact us at: Chandler_Park_NoHo@yahoo.com

Also note that email address is now the primary contact point for all questions, comments and suggestions regarding the neighborhood association.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement!

New Email Contact Info

2010-02-05T12:18:00.000-08:00

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about the Chandler Park Neighborhood Association, please use this address as the new contact point:

Chandler_Park_NoHo@yahoo.com

Good News About Neighborhood Crime

2010-02-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Our community's LAPD Senior Lead Officer John Catalano forwarded the North Hollywood "crime map" for January, and it indicates that Chandler Park was one of the safest neighborhoods in NoHo for the period - no crimes were reported within our boundaries.

Reported crimes in the greater North Hollywood area were also down significantly.

Thanks to all our neighbors and the LAPD for helping ensure the safety and security of our community!

Helpful Community Info & Contacts

2009-06-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who attended the recent neighborhood meeting with LAPD Senior Lead Officer John Catalano.

Here's a recap of appropriate City contacts and other relevant community information:

- Updated crime statistics for our neighborhood may be obtained directly from: www.lapdonline.org

- Senior LAPD Lead Officer John Catalano may be contacted directly via email (his preference) at: 32740@lapd.lacity.org

- Councilmember Tom LaBonge's local District 4 office may be reached at: 818.755.7630

- Information regarding the MidTown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council (which represents our community): www.midtownnoho.org

- Los Angeles Street Services (potholes, bike path and other street maintenance issues): 800.996.2489

- Illegal dumping issues: 800.773.2489

- Abandoned shopping cart pick-up: 800.252.4613

- Grafitti/tagging issues (IMPORTANT - The most effective way to prevent the spread of graffiti/tagging is to clean up/paint it over ASAP!): Dial 311.

Also see: www.anti-graffiti.lacity.org

Chronic graffiti/tagging issues may be addressed via Officer Ramon Martinez and the local LAPD anti-tagging team. Document/photograph problems & email to: 34417@lapd.lacity.org

Reactivated

2009-04-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Due to recent criminal activity in the community, the blog has been reactivated to post information of concern to all our neighbors.

Tom Colby has contacted our area's LAPD Senior Lead Officer and is organizing a Neighborhood Watch meeting, to be held in the near future at Hallenbeck's General Store on Cahuenga Blvd.

Further details will be posted here ASAP.

Chandler Bikeway Landscaping/Lighting Update

2006-08-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Petar Blanusa of the CRA forwarded the following info today:

Great news on the Chandler Bikeway Phase II- Botanical Garden and Phase III-Lighting!

The Community Redevelopment Agency has issued invitations for bid (IFB) for both remaining phases of the project. Bids are due October 11, 2006.

See attached flyer for more information.

Thank you all for your support and expressed interest in this project.

Flyer may be viewed at this link.

Chandler Park alleys and Bikeway construction updates

2006-07-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

-- Paving of the alleys is now complete! Thanks to all our neighbors and the City representatives who've assisted in getting this project expedited and finished.

-- Petar Blanusa of the CRA anticipates that Phases Two and Three of the Bikeway project will go out for bidding by mid-August. (Phase Two entails landscaping for the south side of the Bikeway; Phase Three will install lighting for the path).

Chandler Park alley concerns

2006-07-12T16:24:00.000-07:00

The following note was sent to Alice Roth and Stacy Marble, Field Deputies for Councilmember Tom LaBonge, this week:

Greetings:

I wanted to advise you about some issues regarding the local alley paving project that are a bit puzzling to our community.

-- We've received two letters now (and some of us three) advising us as to details and scheduling of the alley work. One letter stated the work would beging approx. June 23, the next advised it would begin July 3.

-- Surveying work was completed a month ago and large signs stating "Construction Ahead" posted at the entrances for each alley immediately thereafter.

-- A few of our neighbors have been inconvenienced for two weeks by large pieces of City construction equipment being parked in front of their homes (a roller on Strohm and a skiploader on Cumpston). We'd all assumed this equipment was being stored here temporarily in anticipation of it being used to surface the alleys. Instead, sometime early Monday both pieces of equipment were inexplicably moved elsewhere.

There has been no other progress made on the project. Given the years of delays on other local construction and maintenance issues involving BOSS, I'm sure you can understand our concerns. Whatever information you could provide regarding the status of the alley paving project would be most apprecicated.

Best Regards,

Jerry McCulley
5400 Strohm Ave.

Chandler Bikeway Dedication

2006-06-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

Councilmember LaBonge, the Community Redevelpment Agency and Bureau of Street Services have announced that a dedication ceremony for the Chandler Bikeway will be held at the corner of Chandler Blvd, and Clybourn Ave. on Thursday, June 22, at 11:30 am.

Chandler Bikeway construction update

2006-05-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

Petar Blanusa of the CRA has forwarded a Chandler Bikeway progress report with photos:

-- Phase 1 (Construction): Completion (including Phase 1 landscaping) expected on schedule by the first week of June, 2006.

-- Phase 2 (Botanical Garden): Design plans are at the plan-check. Bidding process to start following the release of plans from the plan-check. Note: This phase will include landscaping on the south side of the Bikeway.

-- Phase 3 (Lighting): Design underway with Bureau of Street Lighting. Note: Lights are already in place and functioning on the Clybourn-Biloxi portion of the Bikeway adjacent to General Motors. Colossal Entertainment has also installed Bikeway-facing lights along the Auckland-Cahuenga portion of their property, though to date they are not working yet.

Special thanks to Paul Kersh and Angus Duncan for their continued focus on lighting and graffiti issues and to Petar Blanusa for his kind help and support.

Chandler Park alleys to be paved in June

2006-04-06T15:36:00.000-07:00

Alice Roth, Field Deputy for Councilmember LaBonge, confirmed today that BOSS (Bureau of Street Services) has added Chandler Park's three unpaved alleys to their '06 "June Committed" list for paving.

Thanks to all our neighbors for their help and support in getting this long-delayed project prioritized on the paving schedule. Ginny and Bev Fioravanti deserve special recognition for providing original documents and City correspondence indicating how long the project had been delayed.

We also appreciate the assistance of Alice Roth and Stacy Marble in the local CD4 office. Stacy personally inspected and measured the alleys at the request of our community last Fall and Alice has been very helpful in following up with BOSS.

Also, thanks again to Diann Corral of MTNHNC for her kind help and input on this issue.

Chandler Bikeway Images

2006-01-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

Petar Blanusa of the CRA provided this photo of the first section of the Bikeway being completed.

These two concept images depicting the completed Chandler Bikeway were executed by the project designer, David Evans and Associates, and provided courtesy of Petar Blanusa of the CRA. Thanks, Petar!

Alley paving status

2006-01-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

Responding to our request to clarify issues regarding the alley paving project in our community, Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council Treasurer Diann Corral sent the following note ("BOSS" is L.A. Bureau of Street Services):

Hi Jerry,

BOSS indicated that they would place the alleys on their 06/07 calendar, which means they can be done anytime from July 2006 to June 2007. I believe BOSS does not even provide the council office with their final list of streets for 06/07 until sometime in March or April 2006, which may be the reason for their not being able to provide an exact specific date on the paving of the alleys.

The good news is the alleys are on BOSS 06/07 street paving list and Councilmember LaBonge's office has agreed to make sure that it stays on and does not get pushed back. You may want to check on the status with Councilmember LaBonge in a few months.

Hope that helps,
Diann

Chandler Bikeway Groundbreaking

2006-01-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Groundbreaking for construction of the long-awaited Chandler Bikeway will take place on Thursday, January 12 at 10 AM at the corner of Clybourn Ave. and Chandler Blvd.

Councilmember Tom LaBonge along with the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Bureau of Street Services will be hosting the event. Please join us to celebrate the this much anticipated improvement to our community.

Chandler Park Bikeway update: CRA approves funding of concrete surfacing and botanical garden

2005-09-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

We are happy to report that the Chandler bikeway has moved a big step closer to completion. At a board meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency on September 15, 2005, funds of up to $894, 488 were approved for completion of the project, which now incorporates concrete surfacing at the request of our community as well as construction of an accompanying botanical garden and irrigation system.

The City Council must now review and approve the CRA's amended plans and funding request.

Neighbor Paul Kersh has been in contact with the CRA and reports that both phases of the project are expected to be completed concurrently, most likely in early FY06. Petar Blanusa, the CRA's construction specialist on the project, will be attending our upcoming meeting on September 21 and will be available to answer questions about this long anticipated improvement to our community.

Details of the newly approved CRA bikeway funding are available online at:

http://www.cityofla.org/CRA/boardagenda/Sep152005/sep152005_4.pdf

Chandler Park Neighborhood Association Update

2005-09-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all our neighbors! Here’s a recap of developments in your community.

Neighborhood Association Formation
Monthly meetings of volunteer block captains and other interested parties have led to the formation of The Chandler Park Neighborhood Association. A dedicated CPNA bank account has been established with previous neighborhood funds; all future financial activities/balances will be reported at every meeting. Governing bylaws for the association have been completed and will be submitted to the community for approval. Once approved, an election will be held to select the Association’s officers.

Other issues of community concern have also been addressed, including:

Neighborhood Web Site Established
For info about upcoming meetings and other community issues: http://www.chandler-park.blogspot.com

Chandler Bikeway Progress
As explained by officials in a previous meeting, City funding for the bikeway has been very tight and manpower stretched thin, which has slowed progress on the project. Completion is currently anticipated sometime in the First Quarter of 2006. We can report the following good news:

DESIGN CHANGES & FUNDING

-- David Evans and Associates, Inc. submitted revised drawings to CRA for change from asphalt to concrete surfacing, per community request. CRA transmitted the drawings to Bureau of Street Services on July 8, 2005; Bureau of Street Services to provide cost estimate.

-- Awaiting CALTRANS approval of $250,000 grant money. City application is in Sacramento; estimate 4-6 weeks for approval. Upon approval of funds, and final negotiation with Bureau of Street Services, CRA shall request additional funding once the final figures are established. Expected board action by CRA in Mid/Late Summer.

Rebuilding Ties with Mid-Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council
Following the advice of previous Mayor’s Representative John Bwarie, we have forged a strong relationship with MTNHNC in order to be better represented within City government, as well as take advantage of civic funding that is channeled through the Mid Town NoHo Council. CPNA representatives have attended MTNHNC meetings, while Council President Diann Corral has also advised our own local efforts with positive results. Earl Howard has also been been appointed to the Mid-Town NoHo Beautification Committee.

Neighborhood Alleys Receive City Approval For Paving
At our neighborhood’s request, MTNHNC President Diann Corral investigated City funding and helped secure approval for paving the dirt alleys in our community. Special thanks are due neighbors Ginny and Bev Fioravanti, who supplied documents indicating that this work was originally scheduled in 1967! Councilperson LaBonge’s office has gone on record supporting the project, and our most recent correspondence indicates that this will probably occur in the next fiscal year. The cost estimate process has already begun.

Toluca Terrace Signs Removed, CPNA Boundaries Secured
You may have noticed several "Toluca Terrace" signs were placed in our neighborhood previously by the aggressive leadership of the community to our south, misidentifying the bike path and much of our community. Neighborhood association volunteers addressed the issue with Diann Corral and Tom LaBonge’s office, resulting in a City Council order to remove and relocate the signs, as well as amend a motion that effectively secures our neighborhood boundaries and identity.

OTHER HELPFUL INFO

Securing City Services Via Phone or Internet

Dial 311 to report potholes, graffiti or other infrastructure repair issues. You may also request graffiti removal on the internet at http://www.lacity.org/bpw/ocs/grsr.htm and report potholes and other street-related issues with the Bureau of Street Services at http://www.lacity.org/BOSS/request.htm.

Graffiti

2005-04-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

There have been more incidents of graffiti reported in our community. To deal most efficiently with the problem the City established Operation Clean Sweep, the Board of Public Works' anti-graffiti & anti-litter program, which features an on-line Grafitti Removal Request Form.

NOTE: Experience has shown that no matter how you accomplish it, the best way to deal with graffiti is to remove/paint over it ASAP. Taggers leave their mark where it will be most readily seen over a long period of time. If it is removed immediately they will tend to find another locale more accomodating to their "handiwork."

(Thanks Paul & Earl)

Whenever our problems seem too large...

2005-04-14T11:34:00.000-07:00

Some community perspective, courtesy of USGS satellite imagery and MSN TerraServer.

(Thanks for the tip, Ivan!)