Two Shot and Injured in Drive-by Shooting Saturday Night in Altadena

Greg Lozano-Buhl October 21, 2012 at 03:55 pm

East or west altadena Dr?

Dan Abendschein (Editor) October 21, 2012 at 04:26 pm

West. I'm updating the article to reflect that. Thanks.

AJ October 21, 2012 at 05:59 pm

Of course, that's right in front of the house where drug dealing goes on. I've seen multiple drug deals done in broad daylight in front of one of the houses across from the corner store. I think anyone who's ever been in the area knows which house it is. I've reported this several times to the Sheriff's but no action was ever taken.

Nico October 21, 2012 at 08:26 pm

write down the house number and publish it here. People will appreciate the warning and stay away/aware around that house.

Reiu K October 21, 2012 at 09:31 pm

I hope my family and friends stay away from West of Lake Avenue. It's terribly disheartening with the number of shootings and violence. I can't wait to sell our home and move out of this terrible town.

Ninja Girl October 22, 2012 at 01:59 pm

AJ, I know the house you're referring to. It's actually the house to the immediate east of the house on the corner. You're correct - plenty drug activity at that house, and thugs always hanging out in front of it. It's unfortunate that the west part of such a beautiful city has to live around such criminal activity.

Ninja Girl October 22, 2012 at 02:00 pm

@Reiu, I totally understand your frustration. I can't wait to win the lottery so that I can move :)

Melody Comfort October 22, 2012 at 02:50 pm

Does anyone know whether this location has been spoken of at an ACONA [Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations] meeting?

Lovely Altadena October 22, 2012 at 02:53 pm

If this criminal activity at a specific house is common knowledge, why don't they get shut down? It makes me sick to think that everyone will stand around, complain about the Sheriff, watch drug deals go down without reporting them. Then people get shot, the community isn't outraged because we've become lazy and complacent. It shouldn't have to come to someone completely innocent getting hurt or killed to get action among neighbors. It's not hard, a few years ago a 'drug house' was shut down on Calaveras. Neighbors complained, the Sheriff acted-end of story. If you see it, report it. Better yet record it and post it! Let's call these punks out. I'm fine with them shooting each other but if we allow even that, they will end up shooting a law abiding, tax and mortgage paying citizen.

Ninja Girl October 22, 2012 at 03:03 pm

@Lovely, I've called and complained about many homes w/ suspicious activity, including providing addresses for homes that featured illegal fireworks. Nothing was done.

AJ October 22, 2012 at 03:53 pm

@ Lovely, as I said in my above post, I have complained to the Sheriff. I actually called them again yesterday to report, again, that I see drug dealing and other possible criminal activity at the house. I don't know why the Sheriff is waiting to do anything at this house, but maybe this drive-by shooting with two injured people will spur them into action.

Lisa Hastings October 22, 2012 at 05:04 pm

People need to get involved and creative with these problems in their neighborhoods. Calling the Sheriff is important but it is not enough. It is necessary to act proactively. The first thing to do is start a Neighborhood Watch and get to know the Sheriff's community representative Sgt. Mike Randenberg.
We had a problem property on our street. Lots of trash, noise, crowds of riff raff hanging out, drug deals, lots of vehicles, and open drug use on the street - every day. We called the Sheriff alot. But that wasn't enough. We started a Neighborhood Watch and invited Sgt. Randenberg to our meeting. Then we got the operations Lieutenant involved and the county zoning office, since there were code violations on the property. We also complained to the Fire Department because the numerous vehicles on the street were blocking emergency vehicle access to the street. Also, Eliot with ACONA was extremely helpful. We did all of this before there was a shooting. It took almost a year but we now have peace of mind on our street. It worked because of Neighborhood Watch and because we approached the Sheriff proactively in addition to calling dispatch and we got other agencies involved (law enforcement, zoning, Fire Department).

Dan MacPherson October 22, 2012 at 05:08 pm

It's my understanding that the sheriff is coming from Crescenta Valley. We need patrol officers based at our newly remodled station on Altadena Drive.

Laura Monteros October 22, 2012 at 05:20 pm

I've lived west of Lake for 22 years and couldn't live on a quieter street (except for two weeks either side of Independence Day). If you check the weekly crime blotter, you'll notice that except for the usual car burglaries at 24-HourFitness, there are more burglaries and break-ins east of Lake.

AJ October 22, 2012 at 05:41 pm

I just reported the house to both LA County Department of Public Works and Zoning Enforcement. It took less than 5 minutes. Thanks for the idea! If the Sheriff's can't get at them, maybe code enforcement will. They do have that little drug shack or whatever it is in their front yard and it probably doesnt have a building permit.
I'll look into the Neighborhood Watch program. I dont want to do it alone -safety in numbers would probably be best.

Whole Bean October 22, 2012 at 06:50 pm

The deputies are from the Altadena station and respond from Altadena, but are dispatched from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's station. When they remodeled the station they didn't do one of the most important upgrades! A full dispatch and 911 lines. We here in Altadena need to write our represewntatives to get this fixed! It slows down response times and also a Crescenta Valley dispatcher/deputy on the other end of the phone has no clue what goes on in Altadena....and might not even care! Write or call your local representatives to get a full dispatch in the Altadena Sheriff's Station!

West of Fair Oaks October 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm

My wife and I have lived near "that" house for going on 8 years. Never felt threatened, never felt any misgivings about the neighbors. I would caution those claiming to see drug activity or a "drug shack" to be careful about accusations that if false could do serious harm to people that simply do not deserve it. There are young men that sometimes hang out. I do not see them harass anyone, I do not see ANY drug activity. They may have some history, but as far as I am concerned it is exactly that.
It's an unfortunate incilination to point fingers and lay blame without full understanding of a situation. It is also unfortunate that there is any sort of judgement about the folks over here on the "wrong" side of fair oaks. Judge not...

AJ October 23, 2012 at 12:05 am

I think the drive by shooting - prior to any inkling of public discussion of that house -has done more harm to people that dont deserve it than anything else. Young men with time and energy to kill hanging out dealing drugs, and I have seen them deal drugs, have done the most harm to the neighborhood. Although its too late for those young men who have already been shot, its not too late for us to start talking about it and calling the police and other authorities and try to prevent this from happening again.

brittney washington October 23, 2012 at 02:47 am

Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see, only God knows the truth.

Can't Say October 23, 2012 at 11:26 am

I understand what youre saying but think it's a huge shame that it would take getting others involved to make the bad guys go away. There NO excuse for law enforcement not nipping it in the bud right away. Maybe they have a plan or strategy we're not aware of.

Can't Say October 23, 2012 at 11:28 am

Call Altadena sheriff station directly 798-1131. Maybe that gets a quicker response?

Concerned October 23, 2012 at 01:35 pm

I have watched people drive up to "that house" stop, watch a guy walk up to the car window and then watch the car drive off. I have watched as the dealers sit behind the fence on folding chairs until a car drives up and they walk up to the car and then return to their chairs. That house has been raided twice in the last five years with every local law enforcement agency showing up including the ATF. I have called DOZENS of times. They are blatant and ALWAYS come back. So does the black sedan. I sure don't think that they are handing out NO on WALMART flyers!!

Lisa Hastings October 23, 2012 at 01:42 pm

We live in a community, not a police state, so it is up to the community to take action in coordination with the Sheriff's Department. Studies have shown that crime flourishes where neighbors are complacent and blame law enforcement for their problems and that criminal activity is significantly reduced in communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs.

Lisa Hastings October 23, 2012 at 01:49 pm

Also, yes, there are problems with Sheriff response in Altadena, since the response is reactive, and not proactive. That is why it is necessary to be proactive by
getting involved with Neighborhood Watch and ACONA.

Dan MacPherson October 23, 2012 at 02:53 pm

I live in West Altadena and I share all the same worries and concerns. I see what you all see and I recognize what I am seeing. I also see numerous people arrive on foot. I saw an article in the Star News about "halfway houses" complete with a map of their location. Surprisingly, many are located uncomfortably near me. I often wonder how the "bad element" manages to survive in what otherwise would be a wonderful neighborhood. I'm not saying the halfway houses are the cause, but I question it. Perhaps drug dealing is a very high paying profession.

Concerned October 23, 2012 at 06:49 pm

As the song says:
"I'm a Altadena Thug, from the dirt, the Altadena mud, Shoot a lick in his neck, blow off his mug........... This song glorifies the Crips, drive bys and shooting in the neck.....hmm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccH7hKKFnJQ

Ninja Girl October 23, 2012 at 08:56 pm

I refuse to watch that video. it only gives them publicity, which is what they're seeking.