Silver Lake Muggings

Councilmember LaBonge, flanked by LAPD Capt. Lance Smith and Council President Eric Garcetti, sought to reassure the community about ten recent muggings in Silver Lake.

Councilmembers and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officials told reporters today that they're working hard to solve a recent spate of Silver Lake/Echo Park muggings, which they described as "crimes of opportunity," NOT hate crimes, as some community members had feared.
"My heart goes out to all of the crime victims," Councilmember LaBonge said at a press conference at the LAPD's Northeast Division Police Station. "We want to assure the public that the city is working hard to address this situation, solve these crimes and arrest all responsible parties."
Between December 30th and January 31st, ten men were mugged while walking alone in the Silver Lake/Echo Park area. Each man was approached by several Hispanic males who demanded their wallets and threatened them with either a gun, knife or bodily force. No weapons were discharged in these incidents, although four victims were unfortunately assaulted.
Northeast Police Capt. Lance Smith said the crimes may be gang-related. Detectives are actively pursuing leads in an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about these robberies should contact the Northeast Gang Detectives at: (213)847-4263.
The shock of the attacks and their brazenness (one occurred on busy Glendale Boulevard in the middle of the afternoon) has shaken the community, Councilmember LaBonge and Council President Eric Garcetti said. The councilmembers, who share representation Silver Lake, are holding a joint community meeting on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. to air concerns about the attacks. (Please see the flier below.) "These crimes are affecting the psyche of Silver Lake," Mr. LaBonge said. Police said the attacks did not appear to be hate crimes because there was no evidence that the perpetrators chose victims on the basis of their sexual orientation, race or anything besides the fact that they were alone.
The police and councilmembers urged residents to be cautious and walk in groups when they go out.