Commander Rocchi of LBPD’s West Division would like to share with all of us in the Rose Park and surrounding areas that there have been several armed robberies in the city’s Beat 8 area mostly south of 5th Street and east of Alamitos for cell phones. Both males and females were victimized as they walked and talked on their smart phones. Suspect(s) are described as male African Americans in their twenties armed with a handgun which may be a real firearm or a replica. Citizens are urged to take extra precautions in the hours of darkness as most of these robberies have occurred between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The Long Beach Police Department would like to provide the community with some simple and effective crime prevention tips:

Street robberies are violent crimes that can be a very traumatic experience for the victim. Not only is there a loss of property that is taken during the robbery, but the victim can be injured during the incident as well. One of the best ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim of a crime is to be aware of your surroundings and to diligently practice the following safety tips:

• Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people around you.
• Whenever possible, avoid using your IPOD, cell phone, or portable game system while walking in public areas.
• Don’t “advertise” that you have valuables in public view (money, jewelry, electronic devices, etc.).
• Be aware of locations and situations, which make you vulnerable to crime, such as dark parking lots, walkways, ATM machines, and alleys.
• Whenever possible, travel with a friend.there is safety in numbers.
• Stay in well lighted areas as much as possible.
• Walk close to the curb and avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide.
• Report suspicious activity immediately to 9-1-1.

Finally, getting to know your neighbors will not only create a safe environment but a more enjoyable neighborhood as well.

The LBPD thanks all of us for our support and continued partnership in keeping our neighborhood safe—and RPNA would like to take this opportunity to thank them as well. That’s what partnerships are all about—getting things done together!

Please forward this message to friends, family and associates who can benefit from it!

One of Long Beach’s favorite holiday time traditions, the Daisy Ave Christmas Parade, a.k.a. the Christmas Tree Lane Parade, is celebrating its 60th (yes, sixtieth) anniversary this year. What a remarkable achievement! According to Maria Norvell, longtime chair of the event, “This parade is unique in that it is the only holiday parade of its kind that runs down a residential street and not a commercial corridor.” This year, in support of all of our neighbors in the Wrigley area, folks from Rose Park will be marching in the parade in our own little contingent. It’s our way of saying “congratulations!” and “Thanks for putting on this wonderful event year after year.” If you’ve never been to the parade, you’ll find that it’s a whole lot of fun, and in comparison to its better known Christmastime cousins, the Belmont Christmas Parade and the Long Beach Boat Parade, notably more low key. The parade features everything from high school bands to antique cars and bicycles—and there’s always a fire engine, lovingly decorated with strings of holiday lights.

This year’s Christmas Tree Lane Parade kicks off at 5:00 pm on Saturday, December 14th. It runs along Daisy Avenue starting at Burnett Street and ends, three-quarters of a mile further down the road, at Pacific Coast Highway at about 7:30 pm. House parties and lawn parties and folks sitting at the curb can be found all along the parade’s path. Many homes along the route have put up holiday lights and other decorations, which helps perpetuate the street’s well-earned nickname of “Christmas Tree Lane.” If you wish to join our group, we’d absolutely love to have you and your friends and your family with us! If your dog is on a leash and won’t mind the brisk weather and the friendly commotion, you’re welcome to bring him or her along, too—just make sure to bring a “collection bag” or two for the pooch, of course. Walkers need to be there a bit early so that we can find our place in line in the set-up area, which is located along Daisy between Willow and Burnett Streets.

For more info, please contact Joanna Alpízar, our events coordinator, by e-mail.

The parade runs Southbound only; it’s only three-fourths of a mile in length, and it’s a terrifically fun event. So we hope that you can join us. As happens every year, there are some road closures in the area that are connected to the event. As soon as those road closures are announced, will post them. You can learn more about the parade’s history here.