Local authorities are warning residents to stay alert and safe after dark in the wake of another robbery in Westwood Village.
On Wednesday a woman was walking alone at Landfair and Gayley Avenues at 9:30 p.m., talking on her cell phone. A man came up to her and tried to grab the phone from her hand. After a brief struggle, the woman was pushed to the ground. The suspect took her phone and then fled to a waiting vehicle.
All of the recent crimes have occurred in the evening or early morning ““ times when many people are walking alone. Jason Lee, an officer and spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said potential criminals will not always wait until the middle of the night to strike.
“10 (p.m.) is dark. We’re still in the winter; around 5:30 the sun sets, compared to summer about 8 p.m. sunsets. These crooks, they like darkness, because they can hide,” Lee said.
Looking at things from a criminal’s point of view could help students see when they are in a bad situation, Lee said.
“These potential suspects have to get very close to the victim, either with a knife or bodily force or a gun, in order to rob someone,” he said.
Reversing that scenario can help people walking alone recognize danger.
“Basically if you flip that around as a potential victim point of view, don’t be a target. Always look around and see who’s approaching, closely. Asking for directions, cigarettes ““ they’re going to ruse people on those pretenses, to come closer to the potential victims,” Lee said.
Nancy Greenstein, the director of police community services for the UCPD, said there is an alarming trend that links these recent crimes.
“If you look, there’s a commonality, which is people may be distracted by being on cell phones or iPods. It seems like the suspects find people who aren’t aware of what’s going on and aren’t cognizant of their area,” Greenstein said.
Dana Wiley, a second-year nursing student, said she is trying to be more careful when she walks home.
“I’m a little bit nervous about walking home late, because these things just keep happening. Especially if you’re on your phone or your iPod, I feel like we’re just vulnerable at this point now,” Wiley said.
But Wiley, like many other students, has a part-time job outside of class and cannot avoid walking home after dark.
“I mostly work nights, so by the time I get off it’s usually past 11. I get a little nervous about wearing my iPod home from work, at least I have been recently,” Wiley said.
Wiley said she has not been calling the Community Service Officers to take advantage of the escort service.
“I wasn’t even sure if we had it, really,” Wiley said.
Greenstein said the escort service and the evening van service are students’ best bets in terms of safety. She stressed that the most important thing was for students to be aware of their surroundings when they are out and alone at night.