Residents of the Los Angeles neighborhood of Encino urged Mayor Karen Bass and other city leaders on July 31 to take immediate action after a recent surge in burglaries, home invasions and a high-profile double homicide left the exclusive enclave on edge.
The push followed the July 14 discovery of the bodies of longtime "American Idol" music producer Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. Los Angeles police say the couple likely were killed on July 10; two calls had been placed to police reporting a possible burglary at the home, and 22-year-old Raymond Boodarian was later arrested on double-homicide charges. Authorities have said the killings appear to have been random.
Neighbors and community leaders gathered outside Van Nuys City Hall to present a list of demands including increased Los Angeles Police Department patrols in Encino, the opening of a substation on Van Nuys Boulevard, and removal of nearby homeless encampments. The Encino Property Owners Association, which organized the demonstration, said the recent violence and string of property crimes have heightened fear among residents.
"People are on edge because everyone knows someone who's been victimized," said Rob Glushon, president of the association and a neighbor of Kaye and Deluca. He pointed to a pattern of burglaries and home invasions in recent months and said the LAPD is not adequately staffed to respond to the community's needs.
Several neighbors described interactions with a man they said exhibited erratic behavior near residences. One neighbor told local media that the man would walk past homes and flash knives at Ring cameras and, on at least one occasion, allegedly stalk a resident's child on social media. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those specific claims in relation to the homicide investigation.
Additional break-ins were reported the same day the community presented its list of demands. One reported intrusion involved the home of reality television personality Teddi Mellencamp. The incidents prompted renewed calls from residents for more immediate and visible police resources.
At the July 31 gathering, speakers also said they would hold city officials accountable if requests for increased staffing and other measures were not met. The list of community requests conveyed to city hall included not only a police substation and patrol increases but also targeted efforts to reduce open-air encampments that residents contend contribute to crime and public-safety concerns.
Mayor Bass, who took office earlier this year, has faced criticism on several fronts from local constituencies; she has also been publicly critical of federal immigration policies. A spokeswoman for the mayor's office did not immediately provide comment on the Encino delegation's demands. LAPD officials have previously acknowledged staffing challenges and have said they are working to allocate resources across a large and diverse city.
The arrest of Boodarian followed an investigation in which police collected evidence from the scene and pursued leads in the days after the bodies were found. Authorities have said the two calls reporting a possible burglary at the Kaye–Deluca residence were placed around the time officers believe the killings occurred. Investigators have charged Boodarian with two counts of murder; court proceedings are pending.
Encino residents said the double homicide crystallized long-simmering concerns about property crime and public safety. Community leaders said they will continue pressing the mayor's office and the city council for concrete steps, including expedited deployment of officers to the neighborhood and the establishment of local policing infrastructure, to restore a sense of safety among residents.
Citywide statistics and LAPD statements about broader crime trends were not released at the Van Nuys gathering. Officials at the department and in the mayor's office may provide additional information as inquiries and policy discussions continue.