We have worked very hard to establish and build a direct partnership with you and intend to continue strengthening our community focus and all levels of service. Our primary goal has been to establish a direct means of communication between the residents we serve and your West Hollywood Sheriff's Station.

We are pleased to provide a forum for West Hollywood residents to ask our Captain a question. We also log questions of general interest along with his answers for your information.

Ask your question HERE.

Questions & Answers

Q: I was on vacation in West Hollywood and lost a camera. I discovered the loss while visiting another city, and made a police report there. Should I make a report in West Hollywood as well?

A: When you made the report in the other city (known as a courtesy report, since the loss didn’t take place in that city), as long as you provided a West Hollywood address as the location for the loss, West Hollywood Detectives will be advised of your case

Q: I have been told by my bank to report fraudlent activity on my accounts. How do I do that?

A: Come to the station at any time with financial documents that show the fraudulent activity. A Deputy will review the documents and take a report. The information will then be turned over to our Detective Bureau, which will work the case.

Q: I am going to be relocating to West Hollywood next year and I own several firearms. I need to know what the California laws are regarding legal gun ownership.

A: Thanks for your question regarding firearms in California. You’ll find that California state law is much more restrictive than most other states, so doing your research first is smart. You can find California state law regarding firearms at the link below:

http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/

You will find information about FFL’s and laws about transporting firearms legally.

Q: I am a new resident of West Hollywood and really enjoy living here. My neighbors frequently have loud parties at night that are disturbing my sleep.

A: If you feel your neighbors are too loud late at night, please feel free to contact our station at (310) 855-8850. We’ll get a Deputy dispatched to check things out.

Q: We are having problems with two or three men who are selling marijuana adjacent to our building. I have called the Sheriff’s Department to report them and the sheriff has always responded very quickly, but these men keep coming back.

A: Please call the station at (310) 855-8850 and ask for the COPPS Team, ext 456 or 568 (message). That team will be the best to address your situation.

Q: An ex-boyfriend came to our door at 2:00 am drunk, causing a big scene. He started to fight with a friend staying with me. After a while he finally left, but now we think we should have filed a police report.

A: Anytime you feel your safety is in jeopardy, please dial 911 and we’ll send a deputy to investigate.

Q: When can I pick up my property?

A: Small item personal property that is held as part of an arrest (i.e., keys, wallet, jewelry, etc) is returned upon release from our jail, or it will be transferred with the person who was arrested to court or county jail. Larger personal property items (bulk property) can be picked up at the station Monday through Friday, between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.

Please call the number referenced on your release paperwork for more information, and to make an appointment.

Q: I want to have a summons and complaint served on someone in West Hollywood. Do you do it?

A: To have someone served, you would go to a nearby Courthouse. Go to the Sheriff’s Office and they’ll help you with what needs to be done. The fee is $43 for each person being served, and you’ll need to bring four copies of each document that’s a part of your summons and complaint.

Q: Hello, I was wondering if there were any jobs available within your department? My girlfriend and I are planning on moving to the area and am currently seeking employment.

A: Please take a look at our department website, lasd.org for more information. As well, those who live outside the greater Southern California area or Out of State should contact the Recruitment unit at 1-800-A-Deputy (1-800-233-7889), before applying, for additional processing information.

Q: I recently purchased a vehicle and received information there is an accident report on it. Is it possible to get a copy of the report?

A: You can obtain a copy of your report by either coming to the station and purchasing a copy for $25.00 or sending in a mail request along with a check for $25.00 payable to the "Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department". Please mail your requests to: West Hollywood Sheriff's Station. Please mail your requests to:

West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station

Attn: Records

780 N. San Vicente Bl.

West Hollywood, CA 90069

Please include your Report Number on any report requests. Note: Our policy does not allow us to fax or e-mail reports.

Q: I need a LASD certification about me not having a new warrant of arrest issued 10 or more years ago for a court appeal. Who do I contact?

A: The only way to determine if a person has a warrant is to have that person come into any sheriff or police station with identification and ask to be checked for warrants. Another possibility would be to check with the court clerks office of the court where the warrant may have been issued out of. They may be able to provide information, but will most likely require the person to appear at the courthouse in order to check.

Some stations will provide clearance letters, which may indicate for employment background purposes if there is an outstanding warrant, for a fee.

The result is obvious, if the person has a warrant with a significant bail amount they would be taken into custody and appear before the judge. If it is an insignificant amount (amount varies by jurisdiction and jail population) the person may be given a citation and a new court date. Hope that helps!

Q: Is West Hollywood Safe?

A: We are precluded by law from offering opinions as to the safety, livability, or crime trends of one community or neighborhood versus another. However, public crime statistic information is available through this Web site or CrimeMapping.com.

Q: Lost Traffic Citation: I lost a traffic ticket that was sent in the mail. How can I pay it and Where?

A: In order to obtain a copy of your citation, you can stop by the clerk’s office of the court in the jurisdiction where the citation was issued. If it was in West Hollywood, you can visit the Beverly Hills Courthouse, 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 or (213) 742-6648 (24 hours/7 days a week). You can also search for your ticket on-line at the following link: Superior Court of Los Angeles >> http://www.lacourt.org/division/traffic/traffic.aspx

Q: Handicapped Parking: Is the law for a handicapped parking space in force even though the space is at a building that is closed?

A: All applicable California laws would apply, 24 hours a day, after the space is painted and clearly marked. I would think a citation issued under these circumstances would be lawfully issued. However, the final determination would have to be made by a Judge or Commissioner after listening to and reviewing all the facts and the totality of the circumstances.

Q: Do I Have a Warrant?: Is there a way to find out if a family member has a warrant out for their arrest by going online?

A: Unfortunately there is not. If we provided that service on-line or over the phone, the law states we would be aiding and abetting a fugitive or those who may be wanted by law enforcement.

The only way to determine if a person has a warrant is to have that person come into any sheriff or police station with identification and ask to be checked for warrants or have them contact an officer or deputy on patrol and ask to be checked.

Another possibility would be to check with the court clerks office of the court where the warrant may have been issued out of. They may be able to provide information, but will most likely require the person to appear at the courthouse in order to check.

Some stations will provide clearance letters, which may indicate for employment background purposes if there is an outstanding warrant, for a fee.

The result is obvious, if the person has a warrant with a significant bail amount they would be taken into custody and appear before the judge. If it is an insignificant amount (amount varies by jurisdiction and jail population) the person may be given a citation and a new court date. Hope that helps!

Q: What is the legal definition of verbal abuse? My domestic partner ’believes he has the right to say and do anything he feels like’. He ’believes he has the right to yell at me.’ He believes he has ’the right to talk to me any way he wants to.’ What does the law say about this?

A: Verbal Abuse includes: name calling; ridicule; demeaning comments; attempts to make person think they are crazy; humiliating; verbal threats of violence; blaming; hollering. It is a form of emotional ’beating’ vs. emotional abuse which often is silent, but impactful with ’looks’, actions etc.

Emotional abuse can include hurting animals/pets with the inference that the person is next; slamming doors to scare or intimidate; isolating someone from friends or family. Both can also be done through electronic communication, from texting to emails etc.

Penal.Code 273.5a-f defines Domestic Violence as Emotional, Verbal, Sexual, Financial as well as Physical Abuse. It is a Felony Wobbler Charge, i.e, arrest as Felony, wobbles down to Misdemeanor if perpetrator agrees to 52 Week Domestic Violence Batterers Program, 3 years of Summary Probation.

ASSAULT means the VERBAL THREAT to do bodily harm, with the perception that the perpetrator could follow through, NO PHYSICAL ACTION included. BATTERY, is the unwanted touch of a persons body, no injury necessary.

Q: Someone told me that it’s illegal to leave a dog temporarily (e.g., while one buys groceries) in a parked car -- even though the windows are partially open, as is the roof, and the car is parked in the shade. She said that to do so was to risk the dog’s falling ill or dying. Was she correct that there is a law against leaving a dog temporarily in a car?

A: There is a California statute that provides that no person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.