Volunteers In Police Service

VIPS Get New Patrol Vehicle

Gathered around the new Ford Escape Hybrid, purchased with a grant from the AQMD, are (from left) Kelly Kovac-Reedy, Dave Buckland, Jan Barylski, Unit Supervisor Sgt. Jaime Ramirez, Ken Hartley (in vehicle), Jeff Duclos, Jeff Smith, Mordy Benjamin and Chris Parks.

VIPS Thwart Burglars

On Friday, January 23rd, VIPS Ken Hartley and Chris Park observed a suspicious subject entering a parked vehicle in the parking structure at 13th and Hermosa Avenue. The VIPS put the information out on the police radio, and responding officers were able to catch the suspect in the process of burglarizing a parked car. This suspect was caught "with his hand in the cookie jar." We were later able to locate the vehicle the suspect arrived in along with an additional suspect. It contained numerous items that were likely stolen. It appears the suspects are responsible for several automobile burglaries in the area.

Because of their low profile, the VIPS were able to watch the suspects in the act of burglarizing a car. This is one of the goals Chief Savelli envisioned with the VIPS program. He wants them to be an extra set of "eyes and ears" for the police department.