La Verne police report increases in domestic assaults and two homicides; Safe Streets operations to resume

Chief Mays presented the police department's monthly report at the June 3 Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting, telling the board the department's year'to'date totals are largely favorable but that certain categories rose. "One of the incidents that, has seen an increase is domestic assaults. It's very difficult for us to have any patrol strategies that are gonna influence crimes that are occurring within the home," he said.

The chief said homicides rose from zero last month to two this month and described the incidents as being handled by other agencies: "We had 0 last month. We had 2 this month... 1 was a hit and run that Tennessee Highway Patrol handled off of Old Nashville Highway. And, the second one... was handled by the county sheriff," Mays said. He added that initial reports suggested one incident occurred in Smyrna and traveled into La Verne.

Mays also identified increases in thefts and in vehicle'related crimes: calls for service were up about 9.6%, and recovered stolen vehicles increased "over 30%" compared with prior figures. He described the department's Safe Streets operation as having produced positive community contacts and said the department plans to schedule additional Safe Streets operations in June, July and August and will reopen the community survey to shape times and locations.

Alderman Haas asked whether the reopened survey would be distributed by means other than social media; Mays said the department will post the survey on the city website, provide paper copies in City Hall, and give residents without home internet access the option to use public computers at the library. City staff also agreed to create and post a QR code to allow quick access to the survey in city facilities and in some local businesses.

The report was received for information; no formal board action on policing policy or resources was recorded during the meeting.