Beverly Glen flooding in 1952 (Photo: USC Archives)

If you live on a canyon road, chances are you will experience some mild to severe flooding during heavy rains. This is especially true if you live in Southern California where we either have drought or heavy rains. We have never had an average rainfall ever. It’s all or nothing.

If you live on a canyon road such as Laurel, Benedict, Coldwater, Beverly Glen….you know they drain all the rain, water, mud, debris from the entire mountain down these few main roads. All the top roads such as Mulholland and sides roads lead and drain to these roads. The goal is for the water to drain down the road. You do not want to block the flow of the water down the road. Below are some tips on how to minimize flooding for you and your neighbors.

1. If your trash cans are on the street, bring them onto your property. They block the flow of water going down the hill. They also cause debris to accumulate and block the flow of water. This causes the street to flood. Your cans can also get swept down the road. Legally they should only be on the road from 6 pm the night before trash pickup to 6 pm the next day.

2. If you see debris in your gutter, pick it up and put it in the trash. Otherwise it will block the flow of water causing flooding.

3. If you live near one of the storm drains, keep it clear. Yes, it’s not your trash stuck in there blocking the flow of water but it will cause YOUR house to flood. The key again is to keep the water flowing down the hill and into the storm drains if need be.

4. If your car is parked on the main canyon road, put it in your garage, carport, driveway, anywhere but on the main canyon road. It blocks debris and water flow. Your car can also be hit by a hydroplaning driver. It can even be swept down the road in heavy rains.

5. If after all of this the road is flooding and water is about to go into your driveway then your home, have sandbags ready. They are free at the fire stations or get some at Home Depot. Always have them on hand. You can also have sand on hand. In emergency fill with dirt, rocks, place bricks on top to keep the bags in place.

6. Always have an emergency plan and kit in place. Have an emergency kit with flash lights, water… Have one for your pets as well.

7. You may lose power in a flood. This is where head lamps, flash lights come in handy. Remember you can charge your cell phone in your car. Hopefully the cell tower has not lost power. If it has, you may have to drive down to Sunset to get reception from a tower with power.

Most importantly, keep an eye out for your neighbor. Know your neighbors’ names, numbers… Please do your part to prepare by clearing the street.

According to the new law, a driver must allow three feet of distance when overtaking or passing a bicyclist. If three feet is not available, a driver must then slow to a safe speed and pass when no danger is present.

“As important as it is for vehicles to be mindful of our bicyclists, those who ride must exercise safe practices and ride smart,” added Commissioner Farrow. “With both drivers and bicyclists doing their part, we can help reduce the number of tragedies involving bicyclists.”

The “Three-Feet-for-Safety-Act” will become effective on September 16, 2014.

Avoid the area at Sunset between Hilgard & Veteran due to a Water Main Break. Extremely heavy traffic. Jammed in all directions.

Live coverage on KTLA.

Impostors Are Scamming LADWP Customers By Phone

Persistent phone scammers are deceiving LADWP customers into paying non-existent water and power bills with threats of immediate service shut off. Don’t fall victim to phone scammers posing as LADWP “collection” personnel.

• LADWP employees will NEVER ask for personal payment information over the telephone. They will never ask you to purchase pre-paid cash cards from a convenience store to pay your utility bill.
• Payment by telephone can ONLY happen through the Department’s voice automated payment system, not with live employees. LADWP personnel do not accept payment information verbally over the telephone.
• If you get a call asking for a cash card or credit card number or other personal financial information, hang up and call LAPD.

Safety and service excellence are of utmost importance to LADWP. Victimization of our customers will not be tolerated. Impostors can expect to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Dear Residents,

A small white dog with a blue harness and leash was found yesterday afternoon in the 1600 block of North Beverly Glen.

Dear Residents,

Please come support the community and help save some of the landmark trees. Organized by Richard Renaldo of Beverly Glen Realty. The meeting is TONIGHT at Les and Dorothy River Community Center located at 10409 Scenario Lane (almost at the corner of Scenario Lane and Beverly Glen Place).

Meeting start time is 7:30pm.

We look forward to your positive ideas and support,

Sharalee Flesche, Social Chair

Date: Monday, January 27, 2014

Time: 5:15pm

Where: LAFD Station 71

As you may have noticed, tree cutting services hired by the City under the direction of LAFD have begun cutting trees up and down the Glen.  RoBG spent alot of time last year with LAFD to come up with procedures to trim trees for safety while keeping their aesthetics but now it seems a new LAFD inspector wishes to throw out that hard work from all parties.

RoBG has arranged a meeting at Fire Station 71 (Beverly Glen and Sunset) at 5:15pm on Monday, January 27, 2014, we need as many residents as possible attending to support RoBG and SMMC Representative in encouraging LAFD to once again demonstrate we can achieve safety and beauty.

Check out these photos of chopped trees, note the black paint they use to “hide” the chopping.

Good evening residents,

There is a large short haired dog running on the street in the vicinity of the 2400 block of N Beverly Glen Blvd.

No other details or pictures are available but it almost got hit by a local resident.

Kindest regards,

Sharalee

Though crime in our Beverly Glen Community is down, the West side of L.A. is seeing a rise in residential burglaries. It is always best to be proactive and prepared. Please read the information below from LAPD.
“There has been a series of Residential Burglaries developing in the West Los Angeles Area. The suspects typically will knock or ring the doorbell to verify if the resident is home. When there is no answer the suspects enter the side or rear of the residence and force entry by smashing the window or door glass to gain entry. Suspects are targeting the master bed and bath areas of the home and removing Jewelry and small electronics.
• ALARMS: Ensure that security alarms are in good working order and set when not at home whether leaving for 10 minutes or 10 hours.
• ALARM RESPONSE: Consider a private patrol alarm response to enhance your current alarm and security system. In many cases private patrols are already contracted in many neighborhoods or associations.
• SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS: Web based surveillance camera systems will allow homeowners to view and monitor activity from any smartphone or computer which are motion sensor activated and will alert your device when there is activity. They also lend valuable information and clues to the investigation.
• GATES: Ensure that all gates and access points to the side or rear of the residence are locked and secured.
• DOOR AND WINDOW LOCKS: Ensure that all doors and windows are locked and secured with sturdy secured locks and that there are second locking mechanisms securing all doors and windows as a second line of defense.
• MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOU’RE HOME…Even when you’re not.
• NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH: Monitor suspicious activities in your neighborhood and alert your neighbors. Should the activity escalate to a crime about to occur, crime in progress or crime that just occurred, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
EMERGENCY: 911
NON-EMERGENCY: 1-877-275-5273
All other City Services: 311
LAPD Website: http://www.lapdonline.org/
E-Policing: http://www.lapdonline.org/e_policing

Nixle: www.nixle.com
Christopher Ragsdale
Senior Lead Officer
West Los Angeles Community Police Station
Office: 310-444-0741
Cell: 213-305-5895
Email: 26690@lapd.lacity.org
Website: www.lapdonline.org”