[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6503302,"mediaKeyId","5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf","parentId",5575139,"title","Lancaster reports 41% drop in homeless count; first school resource officer assigned under new contracts","audioSeconds",213,"startMs",2349000,"endMs",2562000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf&start=2349&end=2562","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf/thumbnail_2349000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6503302/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Lancaster-reports-41-drop-in-homeless-count-first-school-resource-officer-assigned-under-new-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503302-001df21b7027b0c176f4ac030802de88/orig.mp4?Expires=1773463758&Signature=ZLGnSN6cgm-GRVLDcNuXixaEKAwzxUoNofkiuknqdyoMuwxJu9JHw5nvzWh18lkrUcIP10gNh7gKrqS7TLElvPf7yEgeAZ6iMPjlEhqc34CqAL51cAAaN9LTEn7eavWqfKlQIQ~uDmk0K0Z4zjy0kE07~9pBHgES5Nk0xBe2rv-EcuB24E6Hotwwvqhfjf0eGtMYRt8MI~mFXmyhvNQUcCp5gTSZTuUUjLq8w7mFs-4v7rWqi5tqh4VlWIXL12YeYIBfumle2WYDTJMZm1WzNkgECk1wQRgh9merOfIOtrRX1---a~vvTnqv4N7MAXLzb6mTEfplRPLECPQC1fAO-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lancaster, CA","date","2025-08-13T17:06:32Z","article","A representative working with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority told the commission the 2025 homeless count showed a 41% reduction in homelessness in Lancaster and an increase in placements into shelter. The speaker said LA County as a whole also reported declines, and that Lancaster's count benefited from coordination with the Lancaster Police Department's drone program, which assisted counting in city and nearby national forest areas.

Deputy Mayor Sean Cannon, speaking in his role as a board member of the Eastside Union School District board of trustees, described a recent minor school‑bus accident outside his house and thanked CHP and the sheriff's department for a quick response. He also offered the school district's help with seat‑belt education, noting seat‑belt reminders to parents by students as one possible outreach avenue.

Commission staff said Lancaster has its first school resource officer assigned to the Westside Union School District under a contracting arrangement for two officers. The first officer, Adam Ohlinger, was previously an educator in Lancaster; staff said the second officer (a female officer) is undergoing processing.

Ending

Officials said the combined reductions in the homeless count and new shelter placements reflect coordinated outreach and partnerships; the commission heard that staff and partners will continue tracking placements and program outcomes and will update commissioners on progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","08-13-25 Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","LAHSA and city representatives said the 2025 point‑in‑time count shows a 41% reduction in Lancaster homelessness and that the county and city are moving more people into shelter; the commission also heard that Lancaster now has a school resource officer contracted to Westside Union schools and another in process.","taxTitle","Lancaster City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",3819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503307,"Lancaster law enforcement targets smoke shops selling nitrous oxide canisters; city code change under review",288,1709000,1997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf&start=1709&end=1997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf/thumbnail_1709000.jpg","/articles/6503307/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Lancaster-law-enforcement-targets-smoke-shops-selling-nitrous-oxide-canisters-city-code-change-under-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503307-5bc73b40c7f40b7b29092096183101ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1773463758&Signature=edC-cCXsOmLwadd6M9o5naIm-SvJToxMLXWh1Zt6o97yqWecFkOVt-AemUJaDrmqqWfALQs~Lx110VdcvDCWl~wpzbKI~HUJPJvVzXlr8iWX-3Z6AD50BDcEW4gs1hlbqreQ37oJCRtOVf7Hy0ydEPVvltI4BKLa7ydVOtptOBj5KbjOqDwIRRzMxciPCD4y4R32nQm4QaY-XIozXbIXtsFVGuhJagDuJiVX0iiurDdNTRLJzKNNkPioH26EDMA573FcNifP86KW8jPquDvoPq4VEv03ZZdgQUc8MQXFlKP3WDl6FVEtn-weoUfFwG4G0bQQVwzk6aGCydYmYRmdAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lancaster police leaders told the Criminal Justice Commission they have conducted enforcement operations at smoke shops that sell nitrous oxide canisters and other products packaged for youth. The department said it has visited multiple locations, identified problematic sales practices and is coordinating with community preservation (code enforcement) and the county sheriff's department.

Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns that canisters sold for culinary use (whipped cream dispensers) are being purchased by young people and inhaled to get high. A speaker from the public and commissioners described seeing individuals passed out with canisters at encampments; police confirmed past enforcement efforts and said they have targeted shops that sell nitrous canisters and other contraband items.

The commission heard that the city has been working on an ordinance amendment to restrict or regulate sales of nitrous oxide canisters at smoke shops; that work sits with community preservation and the city's code enforcement teams. Lancaster police said they have identified shops packing cannabis products in childlike packages and other items (brass knuckles and similar paraphernalia) that have drawn enforcement attention.

One commissioner asked whether the state or another agency controls licensing for these establishments; staff advised that code enforcement and community preservation are handling the city‑level ordinance work and that other state regulators (for example, tax and fee authorities) could be involved if sales tax or unlicensed retail activity is at issue.

Ending

Police said enforcement and code reviews are ongoing; they will report back to the commission with an update on ordinance work and recent smoke shop enforcement at the next meeting.","Police and code enforcement reported targeted action against smoke shops selling nitrous oxide canisters and candy‑style cannabis packaging; the city is exploring ordinance changes and coordinated enforcement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503312,"Antelope Valley CHP: full staffing ahead, stepped up enforcement on mini‑bikes after crash",159,794000,953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf&start=794&end=953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf/thumbnail_794000.jpg","/articles/6503312/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Antelope-Valley-CHP-full-staffing-ahead-stepped-up-enforcement-on-minibikes-after-crash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503312-15312a890f8a8c71025d9de1eb649a98/orig.mp4?Expires=1773463758&Signature=dISocgvkFDt6Q7QvQ0r4w3S9Xg5WdcXq-7He56q2iQfqN7hd1lvtxxrFzknfCgtd70VrCpa1odzFD0Dk3dzfMGA~J1Usq1UlDYYxg~VplOOEkv5WQTBB9jp3mImkSCg2L5WLorVkRM4XoK6kKpXqW8ooGm5P66z7vfxdBvnAqdsfLXsmsTzUsP-iWmAcD28LiAAuAdGeT~uLzBKB50wUM5sVg3V~-jc5iuFVV93VvGEXPpIVEHwBj~G3ndDjJrfOuA4utGfdOLoAcuKNSAvlSYiLuHVPr6UuWr993MCJUZpNrjyazDLNCaiC5T6fqEGf7pdoSdJ11J0x-uUwPVTt-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","James Richards, commander of the Antelope Valley California Highway Patrol, told the Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission he has been in post about 90 days and that CHP Antelope Valley is at full staff on paper, with a wave of trainees in the academy.

Richards said seven new trainees arrived the previous Monday and four more are mid‑training, for 11 officers in training overall; he said the unit expects to see the full operational benefit in the fourth quarter when trainees complete their field months. \"While we're training, it takes another officer to shadow that person, for about 90 days,\" Richards said.

Richards also detailed a recent collision on State Route 14 near Soledad in which a CHP vehicle rolled several times. He said the agency determined their officer caused the crash and that the officer is recovering after hospital release. Richards said the rollover has prompted additional emphasis on driver awareness and defensive driving before returning officers to patrol vehicles.

On off‑highway vehicles and pocket/mini‑bike activity, Richards described coordinated patrols with the Lancaster Police Department and said a pursuit led deputies to a residence where officers found mini‑bikes being manufactured and repaired. Lancaster Police later told the commission that the location appeared to be selling and servicing the bikes. Richards said CHP and local partners have taken vehicles off the street; police later reported seizing six mini‑bikes and a go‑kart during an operation.

Richards said CHP has increased focus on unbelted motorists after noticing an uptick in unbelted fatalities; he reported an 18% increase in seat‑belt citations since the targeted emphasis began. He said enforcement will be combined with education and that CHP will continue outreach to build legal, controlled opportunities for enthusiasts, working with the Fairgrounds and local groups to develop sanctioned meetups and an eighth‑mile venue for safe events.

Ending

Richards asked the commission to consider supporting a future staffing request to increase authorized guide strength for the Antelope Valley CHP to reflect population and traffic growth; he and a lieutenant said they are preparing a proposal and would welcome local support.","The Antelope Valley CHP commander said the unit reached full authorized staffing and described enhanced enforcement and community outreach on mini‑bikes and off‑highway vehicles following a CHP vehicle rollover.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6503317,"Lancaster part‑1 crime shows mixed trends in June; grand theft auto recoveries up, arson incidents rise",2638,95000,2733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf&start=95&end=2733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5575139-73e4a83438b5e9396c999420d46aeebf/thumbnail_95000.jpg","/articles/6503317/Lancaster-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Lancaster-part1-crime-shows-mixed-trends-in-June-grand-theft-auto-recoveries-up-arson-incidents-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6503317-da70277fe1de7190142ad0c58f3b2b67/orig.mp4?Expires=1773463758&Signature=Ek4UoKy9wfgvxocFeREzWuJfOv9wBgjKlH9gQUI0NZtgpGTahwI3NYGDGjUARIami~-0SCVe~0YbopHhuR7F99mzXEG0SXqtCvx7vm83OJJdcsPyRokw9U1-hMEF2FkDBlI2DertSsrtTUDhQpMLIkiwxxvQ4ecX-QfgDNW8Jbiz4WKTbUJRiuArrcMxt5T7J5fsN8W2lM4ad0rCc3sHPD~X49Fzvgk2--bhgJ2b-mdKFwvtRDGy2D7vkRFs1flxTj9E3kSD2OLv6RL6uMMKJ3wQ9Uc8r2rjNAvOcZru1u8W3kiDH46DjeERH0qWmzL7TX9IOrNCFIwhUjNhdgKqZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Kit Groupie of the Lancaster Sheriff Station presented June 2025 compstat figures to the Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission, reporting mixed changes across Part 1 crimes in the city of Lancaster and the adjacent unincorporated area.

Groupie said city totals for June included 2,099 Part 1 crimes and 327 in the unincorporated area (2,426 total), representing a 6.38% year‑to‑date drop within the city and an overall 9.78% decline when averaged with the unincorporated area. He highlighted specific categories: grand theft auto (GTA) totaled 613 incidents in the city and 111 in the unincorporated area (724 total), a 3.01% decrease in the city and a 45.32% decrease in the unincorporated area, for an overall 13.29% drop. Larceny‑theft was 540 in city limits (609 combined), down 9.09% in the city. Robberies rose in the city to 147 (164 total), up 14.84% in the city. Aggravated assaults were 440 in the city and 60 in the county area (500 total), a city decrease of 9.84%.

Groupie called attention to two areas of concern. Forcible sex offenses (reported in the briefing as forcible sex crimes) rose in the city to 47 incidents (4 in the unincorporated area, 51 total), a 42.42% increase in the city. Arsons recorded 24 within the city and 6 in the unincorporated area (30 total); city arsons increased 41.18% even as the unincorporated area declined 57.14%, producing a small net change overall. Groupie told commissioners that three of the city arson incidents were in or next to buildings, two involved burned vehicles, and one involved an elementary school that had been entered twice in June.

On auto theft, Groupie said 46 stolen vehicles were recovered in June, 30 of those recoveries occurring in the Lancaster Station area, and 10 arrests were reported in connection with GTA cases. He credited targeted enforcement partnerships: the station has worked with the regional auto theft prevention task force and a local team that traditionally handles robberies to conduct two auto theft operations monthly.

The commission asked about a bright hotspot on Sierra Highway near Avenue G. Groupie later reported, citing the station's crime analyst, that a large property there with a trailer, a Connex box and numerous vehicles had multiple stolen‑vehicle recoveries and a burglary in June, which created the hotspot on the map.

Groupie also reported 367 arrests in June 2025 compared with 359 in June 2024. He noted that small absolute changes in low counts can produce large percentage swings (for example, in homicide and arson).

Commissioners thanked law enforcement for the year‑to‑date drops and cautioned readers that five‑year comparisons include pandemic months and may be less directly comparable to present conditions.

Ending

Deputy Groupie said the station will follow up with commissioners before the end of the meeting with any additional map details from the crime analyst. The figures presented were limited to the compstat briefing for June 2025 and reflect data the sheriff's station provided at the July commission meeting.","The Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy presented June 2025 compstat figures showing an overall drop in many crimes in Lancaster but increases in grand theft auto recoveries and arson incidents in the city. Deputies identified a local hot spot linked to stolen vehicles and burglaries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lancaster reports 41% drop in homeless count; first school resource officer assigned under new contracts

Lancaster law enforcement targets smoke shops selling nitrous oxide canisters; city code change under review

Antelope Valley CHP: full staffing ahead, stepped up enforcement on mini‑bikes after crash

Lancaster part‑1 crime shows mixed trends in June; grand theft auto recoveries up, arson incidents rise