LAPD deploys AI surveillance units and increased patrols across the San Fernando Valley following a spike in residential burglaries that began around April 10, with at least 13 incidents reported from Sherman Oaks to other neighborhoods.
The Los Angeles Police Department has deployed mobile surveillance units equipped with artificial intelligence and increased patrols across the San Fernando Valley following a surge in residential burglaries.
Mayor Karen Bass ordered the LAPD to increase resources and act strategically to stop the burglaries and apprehend the perpetrators. On Monday afternoon, Bass appeared alongside Police Chief Jim McDonnell to announce the new measures.
"We all have zero, zero tolerance for what has happened and what has been happening in the valley in terms of the burglaries," officials stated. "And today we are once again surging resources and acting strategically to stop these latest burglaries and apprehend the perpetrators."
The burglary spike began around April 10, with at least 13 burglaries reported around the Valley from Sherman Oaks to other neighborhoods. In the most recent incident, burglars attempted to break into a home on Noble Avenue in Sherman Oaks around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The suspects broke glass at the back of the home but realized the residents were inside and fled before police arrived.
Police in cruisers, on horseback and in the air are now being deployed to combat the surge. McDonnell said the department shifted its resources to add more visible police patrol vehicles with license plate scanners, horse-mounted police and air support.
The LAPD plans to use mobile license plate readers around high-risk areas and hold weekly burglary meetings with detectives. Specialized units and detectives will be added to the response, with McDonnell noting many of those resources would come from the department's metro division.
"When you're the victim of a burglary, all that matters is that your police department is doing all it takes to keep you safe," McDonnell said.
McDonnell said patterns in some of the incidents had been noted by detectives and officers. "These are sophisticated, organized crews, some of which are international," he said. "Cases like these require patience, time and, frequently, extensive follow-up."
The department has encountered gang crews from South Los Angeles that have conducted similar burglaries, as well as crews of South American nationals. Some of the crews have displayed similar tactics, such as placing video cameras in front of homes to determine when residents are away, using jammers to disrupt Wi-Fi-based security systems and cameras, and using ladders to get inside homes through second-floor rooms.
Burglaries in the Valley Bureau for the year were down 48% when compared with last year, McDonnell said. However, the recent spate of burglaries has sparked concern among police and the mayor's office.
In recent burglaries in the Valley, some of the break-ins occurred about a mile apart, and others were reported as occurring just minutes apart. The first known incident is believed to have occurred April 10 in the 13000 block of Davana Terrace in Sherman Oaks, but was reported to police the following day.
Mayor Bass released a $14.9-billion budget proposal for 2026-27 that called for the hiring of 510 police officers, just enough to maintain current staffing levels at the department and cover retirements and resignations.
"We need enough officers to act swiftly and strategically when crime patterns are revealed," Bass said. "This is why we have worked so hard to reverse the downward trend in the size of the LAPD. We need enough officers to act swiftly and strategically when crime patterns are revealed."
Residents in the affected neighborhoods are being urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to authorities.
This article was generated with AI assistance.