"Rising crime rates in the San Fernando Valley"

At the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Communications Center, where the public's calls to the police are relayed to the officers in the field, reporter Tony Valdez covers the rising crime rates in the San Fernando Valley. Overall crime is up 11% from the previous year, with specific crimes up even more than that. Valdez interviews a commander at the communications center about the reasons for this increase. According to the commander, the overall economic downturn and high unemployment rate has caused people to turn to crime. Additionally, the large undocumented population has become more comfortable reporting crimes than they had been in the past because they are no longer afraid of being arrested for their resident status, and so have begun reporting more crimes. He also talks about problems police departments across the nation face with budget cuts and manpower shortages. The commander indicates people need to take some responsibility for themselves and their property and gives crime prevention tips. Footage includes shots of officers at work taking calls and dispatchers relaying calls to officers.

Note:  The KTLA newsfilm collection at UCLA consists of cut and unedited stories, outtakes and fill footage, originally shot on 16mm reversal film stock with magnetic soundtrack. Some footage, particularly material not used for broadcast, may be without sound.