September 15, 2023

In response to the recent spike in residential and commercial burglaries, I have been working closely with command staff at LAPD Devonshire Division on figuring out multiple ways to address this issue in our communities.

My office continues utilizing discretionary funds to supplement LAPD overtime task forces to have more police presence in the communities impacted by these crimes. The officers that are assigned to these overtime patrols are tasked with searching for vehicles and people involved with previous burglaries and showing a steady presence in affected neighborhoods to deter future burglaries from occurring. These patrols have been successful in obtaining arrests and deterring theft from occurring more often.

As you may be aware, the Northridge Mall was the subject of a smash & grab incident this past Sunday. I am happy to share that LAPD has made an arrest in connection to this particular incident. Appropriately, the LAPD has created the Organized Retail Theft Task Force that is utilizing crime stats to conduct foot patrols around and inside the Northridge Mall to deter criminals from targeting this location again. With funding from my office patrols will increase around the Northridge Mall particularly as we approach the holiday season. I will continue working with our law enforcement partners to ensure we are doing everything possible to prevent these crimes from taking hold in our community.

CD12 COMMUNITY UPDATES

CD12 Job Fair

Join us for a job fair in partnership with the Canoga Park-South Valley WorkSource Center for a chance to connect with various companies hiring to fulfill a multitude of job openings. From careers in medicine to public safety, this job fair offers you the chance to connect with a variety of employers and explore different career options. Please bring your resume and if needed, printers will be available on-site to help you print your resume. Click here to register.

Emergency Renter Assistance Program

The Los Angeles Housing Department’s Emergency Renters Assistance Program is now accepting applications. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the City of Los Angeles, have unpaid rent due to their current landlord for any month between April 2020 and now, have a household income that is at or below the area median income, and have one more individual in the household who has experienced a loss of employment, reduction of income, incurred significant costs or any other financial hardship between March 2020 and present. Click here to find out more information and learn how to apply.

Business Emergency Resource Webinar

The Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Business and Economic Development invites you to join experts from City Departments and Partners to learn how businesses can prepare for and manage unexpected emergencies. The webinar will cover information on financial coverage, emergency response, resources, and legal responsibilities. There will be Q&A sessions between panels where you can ask direct questions. Click HERE to RSVP today.

LAHD Homeownership Programs

The Los Angeles Housing Department continues offering assistance programs to first-time, low and moderate-income homebuyers in the City of Los Angeles. Requirements vary by income level and participants are required to participate in an 8-hour education course that provides an overview of the home-buying process.

Follow this link to learn more about the Low Income Purchase Assistance Program.

Click here to learn more about the Moderate Income Purchase Assistance Program.

LADWP Student Engineer Program

LADWP is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2024 Student Engineer Program (SEP). The goal of the SEP is to provide college engineering students with experiential job training opportunities, including career mentoring, theoretical and technical instruction, and project-related infrastructure work tasks. Student Engineers will be paired with LADWP engineers and work in technical teams within the organization’s Water, Power, and Joint systems. The SEP eligibility requirements and employment application are available at: http://www.ladwp.com/sep. The deadline to submit a completed application is January 8, 2024.

Metro Youth Council

As part of its mission to improve transit for everyone, Metro is creating a Youth Council to serve as a platform that welcomes young people to share their perspectives on Metro. To qualify, applicants must be 14-17 years old, commit to a one-year term during which they will complete an “Introduction to Metro” training, be motivated, and participate in meaningful dialogue with Metro on the organization’s projects and initiatives. Metro is hosting information sessions to share more about this initiative, including one on September 21. If you or someone you know may be interested, please follow this link to read more about the initiative and to apply.

LA Al Fresco Dining Application Portal Update

Since the beginning of this temporary program in May of 2020, the Outdoor Al Fresco Dining Program has had over 3,000 participants. Due to its success, the city is now working to make this program permanent. As the transition from the temporary application portal to a more permanent location is made, LADOT will temporarily close the current application portal on September 30th. If you do not want to wait to apply under the new application portal, please click here to apply for sidewalk and/or private property dining authorization or click here to apply for a curbside or parking lane dining authorization.

GoPass for Students

With the start of the new school year, Metro encourages students, families, and school districts to participate in its GoPass pilot program which allows students in K-12 and community college unlimited free rides on Metro bus and rail. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will offer GoPass to their students this school year, with activation codes available through the LAUSD student portal. Click here for more information.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Nicolas Montaño

Without a doubt, Los Angeles is known as one of the most diverse cities in the world. The various cultures and groups that make up our city are also the key reasons why Los Angeles thrives and is a mecca for all things related to art, music, fashion, food, and culture. This month, we celebrate one group in particular that is essential to the DNA of Los Angeles, the Latino community.

Latinos in Los Angeles are without a doubt one of the most prolific groups in our city and have helped build the city from the ground up. Whether it’s Mexicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and everything beyond or in-between, Latinos have an irrevocable history in our city and the same thing is true in the Northwest San Fernando Valley. For this week’s community spotlight, we turn your attention to a well-known and beloved figure who represents the best of Latinos in our city, Nicolas Montaño.

For those who are familiar with Nick, you may already be familiar with him through his dedicated service to the community and the countless ways in which he gives back to the city that raised him. Whether it is through his involvement with the Chatsworth Kiwanis Club, or his support of our local Devonshire Division law enforcement officers, Nick is unwavering in his generosity and commitment to the causes he is passionate about. In case you are unfamiliar with Mr. Montaño, you may very well know about him through his restaurant, Los Toros Mexican Restaurant, a beloved CD12 staple where you can unwind and enjoy a taste of Mexico.

A resident of Chatsworth for 50 years, Nick was taught the value of community service at a young age when his father introduced him to the Kiwanis Club, instilling in him the value of giving back. Nick’s parents, originally from Mexico, understood the importance of community and Nick has carried that lesson with him his entire life. Through Kiwanis, Nick has assisted in putting on various events like the Chatsworth Blockfest, the Kiwanis Annual Charity Golf Tournament, and the upcoming Oktoberfest. These initiatives help drive Nick’s mission of helping mentor the younger generation, finding opportunities for people in need, and maintaining the tradition of volunteerism that remains prevalent in the community.

When asked what motivates him, Nick responded, “The volunteerism of our community is an untapped commodity. [I love] seeing how the groups I’m involved in bring us together.” Nick lives in Chatsworth with his wife Lucia (more on her in the future) and lives a busy life with little downtime between volunteering and running his business.

We asked Nick if he had a favorite restaurant to hang out and he simply responded, “Los Toros, duh.”

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

UPCOMING

9/16 - Declutter and Donate Drive

Late on your spring cleaning? A donation drive to benefit Operation Blankets of Love is ready to accept any new or gently used blankets, towels, and pet supplies you are ready to get rid of. Click here to find out what they need and where to drop off supplies.

9/18 - Batty for Bats!

The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association invites you to join Wildlife Educator Dana Stangel for a public presentation to learn more about our batty neighbors. The flyer can be found here.

9/19 - Adelante Latino/Latina Business Hub Event

Join the Valley Economic Alliance as they kick off the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with an afternoon of networking and insight into starting and growing your business. Secure your spot here.

9/20 - Coffee with a Cop

Come meet your local LAPD Devonshire Division Senior Lead Officers. Click here for the details.

9/21 - Shepherd Church Blood Drive

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. To help fulfill the need for blood, Shepherd Church is hosting a blood drive. Register here.

9/23 - LAPD Topanga PAL Charity Poker Tournament

Come by for an evening of poker at the LAPD Topanga PAL Charity Poker Tournament! Participation in this poker tournament gives you the chance to win fantastic prizes while contributing to a worthy cause.

9/23 - VCC All Street Clean-Up Event
Volunteers Cleaning Communities invites you to help pick up litter along Nordhoff Street. They are aiming to clean 11+ miles in 2 hours. Click here to learn more.

9/24 - Volunteers for Beautification
Join the Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth, the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council, and Volunteers Cleaning Communities for beautification near the historic Olive Trees on Lassen.

9/23 - 9/24 - Fall CSUN Food Pantry Drive
First Presbyterian Church of Granada Hills is sponsoring a Fall CSUN Food Pantry on Saturday, Sept. 23, 10am - 1 pm, and Sunday, Sept. 24, 8:30 am - 11:00 am. To help food-challenged CSUN students, they are asking for canned or boxed food items and toiletries. Please no glass containers or expired items. Checks made payable to CSUN Food Pantry are also welcome. The address is 10400 Zelzah Ave., Northridge, CA 91326

9/26 - Chatsworth Coordinating Council Meeting

The Chatsworth Community Coordinating Council will hold its first meeting following the summer break at Chatsworth West United Methodist Church. Click here for more information.

9/28 - Free Movie Matinee at the Chatsworth Library

On Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 1:30 PM there will be a free showing of the movie Cyrano at the Chatsworth Library. Light refreshments will be available. For more information call (818) 341-4276.

9/30 - Oktober Festival

North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to join them for live music, food, drinks, and local merchants at their Oktober Festival! Follow this link for more information.

9/30 - Free Community Resource Fair

Magnolia Public Schools invites you to join them for a free community resource fair. Click here for more information.

10/1 - Chatsworth Historical Society’s Pioneer Day

The Chatsworth Historical Society invites you to join them for a day of old-time fun for everyone! Click here to view the flyer for this event.

10/6 - S.O.L.I.D.’S 26th Annual “All You Can Eat Pasta Dinner”

Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire invite you to join them in support of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Devonshire Division. Click here to learn more.

10/7 - Valley Hive’s 5th Annual Honey Competition and Dessert Contest

Join the Valley Hive in a day of drinks, food, and fun to benefit the LA County Beekeepers Association! Follow this link to find out more.

THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

118 Freeway Reseda Blvd Off-ramp Update
Caltrans is currently working to complete improvements on the right lane of Rinaldi St. near the off-ramp to the Reseda Blvd exit on the 118 Freeway. The project is expected to be completed in a few weeks.
September is National Preparedness Month
The focus of this year's National Preparedness Month is preparing older adults for disasters. The City of Los Angeles' Emergency Management Department has compiled a list of ways to prepare yourself or family members in case disaster strikes. You can click here to read the department's newsletter.
Free U.S. Citizenship Exam Preparation Classes
Los Angeles Public Library locations citywide are offering free Citizenship Classes throughout the fall to assist individuals currently working towards obtaining U.S. citizenship. Click here to view the class schedule.
Community Investment for Families Department Seeks Input
To better understand the childcare needs of families and what support they want from the City, the Community Investment for Families Department has launched a childcare family survey here.
LAHD Webinars for Tenants and Landlords
If you are interested in learning about Los Angeles' current rules regarding tenant protections, follow this link to register for one of LAHD's upcoming sessions. There are additional webinars for landlords specifically which can be found by clicking here.

WEEK IN REVIEW

TOP: A productive meeting and discussion with the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce on ways to improve the city’s support of businesses.

BOTTOM LEFT: I was proud to join the American Youth Soccer Organization’s fall season opening ceremony.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Another successful REAL ID DMV Pop-Up at the Mid-Valley Regional Library.

COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTER
By appointment only. Please call or email.
9207 Oakdale Avenue, Suite 200
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Phone: (818) 882-1212
Fax: (818) 701-5254

LOS ANGELES CITY HALL
By appointment only. Please call or email.
200 North Spring Street, Room 405
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 473-7012
Fax: (213) 473-6925

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Chatsworth, CA 91311
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