Englander E-News: Chatsworth Park South Update, Getting Tough on Park 911 Calls and More

Chatsworth Park South Update

I'm pleased to announce that the Department of Recreation and Parks has made significant progress in addressing the contamination at Chatsworth Park South and re-opening the gymnasium for public use.

Design documents have been prepared to address contaminated soil at Chatsworth Park South. The park design closely matches the existing use of the park. Special care is taken to preserve heritage trees and return the site to its former use.

We have also worked with the Department of Recreation and Parks to reopen the gym to the public use. The park will be staffed by Craig Lamas and Juan Soto. Juan currently is the Recreation Coordinator at Mason Park. Currently, the hours of the gym are Monday through Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. If you are interested using the gymnasium, please contact call (818) 718-4073.

My office has worked closely with the DTSC and Recreation and Parks to ensure the clean-up moves forward as quickly as possible so the public can safely use and enjoy the park again. We intervened very shortly after the closure to have the Chatsworth Historical Society’s Museum and the cultural-historical monument Homestead Acre and Minnie Palmer Cottage examined and then re-opened for the public once it was found to be safe and free of contamination.

For questions relating to Chatsworth Park South, please contact Megan Cottier at 818-882-1212.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

On Wednesday, I was proud to join Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service and the Los Angeles Port Police as the Mayor signed his Executive Directive on Cybersecurity launching of the first Cyber Intrusion Command Center.

This directive followed the June proposal by then Mayor-Elect Garcetti and I creating a Cybersecurity working group to secure the City’s critical infrastructure systems against possible terrorist attacks. Click here to view the motion.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Cyber attacks are the number one global security threat. This is the first time that Cyber attacks have been ranked above terrorism and organized crime in the Defense Department’s annual assessment.The City of Los Angeles’ key role in the global economy makes its digitally connected infrastructure a compelling target for Cyber attack.

Cyber attacks aimed at the critical network infrastructure of the City of Los Angeles such as the Department of Water and Power, the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport, the Department of Transportation, Police, Fire, and Sanitation, could create financial chaos, shut down critical services, and put lives at risk.

In light of recent national and international events in Russia, Israel and China, and as technology continues to become more and more advanced, we must be constantly vigilant that our core services are protected. These attackers do not walk through airport security and they can affect the daily lives of thousands of people over an extended period of time.It is critically important that we evaluate the security of our Cyber network infrastructure and provide the City of Los Angeles resources to protect it’s citizens.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Getting tough on “Swatting”

This week, the City Council unanimously passed the motion I seconded to take on the rash of “swatting” incidents occurring around Los Angeles. The motion calls on the LAPD to report to the Public Safety Committee in thirty days with ways the City Council can help them fight these “swatting” incidents. It also requires the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to require the perpetrators of these crimes to pay restitution to the LAPD for all costs incurred while answering a false alarm and report on the feasibility of offering a reward to anyone providing information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the “swatting” perpetrators.

“Swatting” refers to false 911 calls claiming that a serious crime is occurring in order to draw a strong police response at the home of the victim. At least four “swatting” incidences occurred last week at the homes of various celebrities. False reports of shootings, homicides, and assaults occurred from Sherman Oaks to the Hollywood Hills. These false reports are not only financially costly to the LAPD, but are potentially dangerous. Many of these high profile victims of “swatting” have protection from armed security and could easily be confused with an armed intruder when police arrive on the scene. It is also dangerous to our first responders. Several officers have been injured answering these false alarms.

Additionally, I have asked for the City to support state legislation addressing this problem. Our city’s first responders are our first line of defense in emergencies and can not be put at risk or have their time and resources squandered by these senseless pranks. Click here to view the motion.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Reminder from the Topanga Area Community Police Station

Many neighborhoods have had multiple vehicles being broken into. They were broken into because personal property was left visible in the vehicle. The owners may not have thought the property was of any value but criminals don't care. Vehicles left unattended are an easy target for criminals. Even though the vehicle may have been locked a criminal can break into it in a matter of seconds. They break a window or a lock and get into your glove box, or trunk and leave with your belongings even though there may have been an alarm installed. This will leave you with a loss of your personal property in addition to loss of use as well as repair bills for your vehicle. This may also lead to identity theft which could also lead to credit problems. ID theft can cause you many hours of work to fix.

The possibility of all of the above can be greatly reduced or eliminated if you will adhere to the words, LOCK IT, HIDE IT, KEEP IT.

Do not leave personal property such as a purse, wallet, laptop, GPS or anything else visible in your vehicle when it's parked even if it's parked in your own driveway. If you do, hide it. Keep your vehicle locked when you are not in it. Try to park in well lighted locations. Do not leave property in plain sight.

This letter is being sent as a courtesy to try to prevent you from becoming a victim. Please do your part.

-Topanga Area Community Police Station, Community Police Advisory Board

Halloween Candy Buy-Back

Trick or treating is fun but all that sugar can cause tooth decay. Bring your extra candy to Natural White Smile and they will give you $1 for every pound. All collected candy will be donated to the USO to support our troops.

Friday, November 1 to Saturday, November 9
Call for drop off times (818) 772-7096

David Shannon, D.D.S.
Natural White Smile
18915 Nordoff St.
Northridge

Community Blood Drive

The Platinum Group of Companies will host its annual blood drive on November 5. Please make sure to eat and drink extra water before you donate and remember to bring a photo ID with you.

Tuesday, November 5
9:30 am to 3:00 pm

9121 Oakdale Ave.
Chatsworth

Contact Melissa atMelissaV@PlatinumGroup.org or vie phone at 818-721-3809 for more information.

Business Council for the Chatsworth/Northridge Industrial Core

Councilmember Englander’s office will be hosting a Business Council for the Chatsworth/Northridge Industrial Core to provide information related to the recent dramatic changes of the State Enterprise Zone. Topics covered will include: Sales Tax Exemption on manufacturing equipment or R&D equipment by manufacturing or biotechnology research and development, addition of necessary tenant improvements, hiring credits of $56,000 per employee (five year total 2,000 hours), 35% of wages each year for a total of 175%, California Competes Incentive Credit – Location can be ANYWHERE in California and GO-Biz negotiates amount of credit. 

Wednesday, November 6
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Porter Valley Country Club
19216 Singing Hills Dr. 
Northridge

We will have experts on hand to answer questions and show you how you can take advantage of these incentives.  In addition, as in previous meetings, we will have updates on City Legislation affecting the business community.  This meeting will also feature representatives from some of our leading business organizations:  The Valley Economic Alliance, LAEDC and the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce. Light snacks provided courtesy of Squar Milner.                

Please RSVP by e-mail by November 4th to Megan Cottier at Megan.Cottier@lacity.org or Jacqui Matsumoto 

Free “Get Smart” Programs at the Mid-Valley Library

The Mid-Valley Library is offering the following “Get Smart” programs to middle-school and high school students:

Test Taking Strategies 101
Thursday, November 7
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm

ACT Practice Test
Saturday, November 9
10:00am to 2:30 pm

16244 Nordoff St.
North Hills

Please call 818-895-3650 for more information.

CSUN National Roll Call

The CSUN’s Veteran’s Resource Center is organizing its first National Roll Call, during which the names of over 740 California service members who died while serving their country will be read. There will be stations where visitors can come make a paracord bracelet and write a letter to a veteran. Food and beverages provided.

Thursday, November 7
Beginning at 10:30 am

Our Community School (OCS) invites local business owners and community members to its Community Building Breakfast series for a complimentary breakfast while they learn about Our Community School and how they can help build community involvement both on and off campus.

Thursday, November 14th
7:45 am – 9:15 am

Assembly Hall at Our Community School
10045 Jumilla Ave.
Chatsworth

If you have any questions please contact Ilia Jauregui, Development and Communications Director, 818-350-5000 or at Ilia.j@ourcommunityschool.org

Kiwanis Club of Northridge – Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon

The Kiwanis Club of Northridge is having its 12th Annual Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon, highlighting the courageous acts that citizens have done for the community.

Thursday, November 14
11:45am – 1:30pm

Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive
Granada Hills

It is $50 per person and must RSVP before November 8th. If you have any questions please call (818)775-1185 or (818)708-8596.

Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth Flea Market…
The Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth is having a Flea Market at the Chatsworth Congregational Church. Over 50 Participants, with 50 different garage sales in one location. Food and drinks will be sold at the event and the funds raised will go towards the Chatsworth Kiwanis Foundation.

Saturday, November 16
10:00am – 4:00pm

Chatsworth Congregational Church
20440 Lassen St
Chatsworth

If you have any questions or is interested on becoming a vendor please contact Karen at (818) 426-1705.

Friends of the Granada Hills Library Used Book Sale…
The Friends of the Granada Hills Library will host a two-day used book sale in November. Prices range from 25 cents to 1 dollar. All proceeds will benefit the Granada Hills Library.

Friday, November 15 to Saturday, November 16
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Granada Hills Library
10640 Petit Ave.
Granada Hills

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation presents Gone with the Wind…

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation presents dramatist Martha Abby Miller in a one-woman show performing her spellbinding presentation of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. This is a fundraising event to help support the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Support Center. Tickets are $17.00 each and includes desserts and coffee.

Friday, November 15
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation
9410 Owensmouth Ave.
Chatsworth

For more information please call 818-700-6900.

The Chatsworth Fine Arts Council’s Arts and Craft Show…
On exhibit will be original art, and unique crafts, paintings, glass works, fabric arts, wreath designs, jewelry, photography, leather crafts, and ceramics. Also a “sealed bid silent auction” with a variety of items and gift baskets. All proceeds benefit the community art activities of the CFAC.

Sunday, November 24
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Chatsworth Metrolink Station
10042 Old Depot Plaza Rd.
Chatsworth

Free Admission Free Parking. For more information call: (818) 772-1639 or go towww.chatsworthfineartscouncil.com