West Hollywood Sheriff’s deputies have increased patrols of Plummer Park following a
“We will be more visible throughout the park,” said a deputy on Wednesday night during a special Neighborhood Watch convened to address concerns about the shooting.
About 70 people were present in Fiesta Hall for the meeting, about half of them residents living nearby, the other half city officials/staff and local activists. All of the City Council members were present with the exception of John Heilman who is in Europe, although his deputy, Fran Solomon, was there.
Plummer Park officially closes at 10 p.m. and deputies are now sweeping the park multiple times a night after closing to make sure no one is ithere after that time.
The park has seen an increase of users in recent months as a result of the AB109 realignment which transferred oversight of low-level offenders from the state to local jurisdictions. The result has seen the release of hundreds of prisoners back onto the streets and more people in Plummer Park, many of them homeless.
“Plummer Park is one of the places homeless feel safe,” said a deputy. “They can hide in the shadows when they’re not in Hollywood.”
The three people who were shot at (one hit in the butt) on Sunday night were homeless according to a deputy.
“You can sleep in the park, you can’t camp in the park,” said a deputy who also reminded that it’s not a crime to be homeless.
Crime in West Hollywood is up over last year, especially petty theft, burglary and assault. Deputies attributed this to AB 109 releasing prisoners.
Mayor Jeff Prang encouraged residents to call the sheriffs if they are concerned or see suspicious activity.
“You should always call the sheriff’s department, even if you think it’s an annoyance,” said Prang.
Deputies agreed, saying people should not hesitate to call.
“Even when you don’t see us, there are plenty of us around,” said a deputy. “We’re just a phone call away.”
