LAPD to Boost Patrols After Ventura Boulevard Burglaries

Mayor Karen Bass vows to keep Angelenos safe amid recent home break-ins.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:50am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a broken window lock, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a home burglary.A recent spike in home burglaries along Ventura Boulevard has prompted the LAPD to increase patrols and presence in the San Fernando Valley.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Police Department will increase patrols and presence along Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley following a string of home burglaries in the past week. Mayor Karen Bass said the city has 'zero tolerance' for the recent break-ins and that officers from multiple divisions will collaborate to solve the cases and develop new response methods.

Why it matters

Burglaries and property crimes have been an ongoing challenge for the San Fernando Valley, with the North Hollywood Division seeing a 45% decrease in such incidents so far this year compared to 2025. However, the recent spike in break-ins has prompted the mayor to order a heightened police presence to reassure residents and crack down on the perpetrators.

The details

Since last Friday, there have been at least seven burglaries within the LAPD's North Hollywood Division, which oversees parts of Ventura Boulevard. In response, Mayor Karen Bass said the police department will increase patrols, place more LAPD vehicles in high-visibility locations, use license plate readers in high-risk areas, and have senior lead officers engage more with the community. The Metropolitan, Commercial Crimes and Robbery-Homicide divisions will also work with local detectives to solve the cases.

  • Since last Friday, there have been at least seven burglaries within the LAPD's North Hollywood Division.
  • So far in 2026, there were 156 burglaries investigated within the North Hollywood Division, a 45% decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

The players

Karen Bass

The mayor of Los Angeles who has ordered the LAPD to increase patrols and presence along Ventura Boulevard in response to the recent string of home burglaries.

LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department, which will be deploying more officers, vehicles, and license plate readers in the San Fernando Valley to address the burglary incidents.

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What they’re saying

“The safety of every Angeleno is my number one priority. The City has zero tolerance for these recent burglaries. Residents deserve to feel safe in their communities, especially in their homes, and we will continue to deploy the resources necessary to keep people safe.”

— Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles

What’s next

Detectives will hold weekly meetings to discuss the burglary trends and 'develop further response methods,' according to Mayor Bass.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of property crimes in the San Fernando Valley, even as overall burglary rates have declined. The mayor's order for increased police presence and community engagement aims to quickly address the recent spike in break-ins and restore a sense of safety for local residents.