How to Stay Safe this Summer

The summer is fast approaching, and with it often comes an escalation in crime, according to officers with the Los Angeles Police Department.

"When it's hotter, you have a tendency for crime to go up," said LAPD Pacific Division Officer Marcy Garcia. "A lot of these suspects know a lot of people are on vacation. A lot of people go out of town."

There is also an increase in tourists venturing to Venice Beach and Marina del Rey during the summer months. Another concern is residents not securing their homes well enough when the temperatures begin to rise, according to Garcia.

"As it gets warmer, unfortunately, residents have a tendency to leave their windows and doors open, so there are a lot of contributing factors to that," Garcia said.

She suggests always locking and securing your home as well as using an alarm system or even a dog for security. Letting a trustworthy neighbor know when you're going to be out of town is also advised.

The summer is an ideal time to start a Neighborhood Watch, according to Garcia.

"At minimum, have a good email tree with as many residents as possible," Garcia said.

Richard Reece, who lives in La Villa Marina in Marina del Rey, said his community has a neighborhood watch which he thinks works best when residents realize it must function as a "partnership" between neighbors and the police.

"The neighborhood provides the eyes, alertness and reports to the police," Reece said.

To find out more about how to start a Neighborhood Watch in your area, visit the Los Angeles Police Department's website online.