Q&A With Glendale Police's New North Area Commander

There's a new official in town. He's meeting Montrose and La Crescenta locals along Honolulu Avenue, attending Coffee with the COPPS and working to prevent crime. 

You might already recognize Lt. Scott Bickle from around town. He's the new commander for North Glendale, but has spent years with Glendale Police Department.

In his first few weeks, Bickle assigned an officer to each of the schools in the North Area Command - which include areas of Montrose and La Crescenta that are incorporated in Glendale. 

Montrose Patch asked Bickle several questions about his law enforcement experience, improvement ideas for the area and tips on how to prevent crime.

Here's what he had to say:  

Why did you start a career in law enforcement? 

I became a Sheriff’s explorer at the age of 14 and when I graduated high school I became a Police Cadet while attending college. I joined the United States Air Force in 1985 and became a Law Enforcement Specialist, [which is] a police officer in the Air Force Base. I spent three years in Japan and was later stationed at Norton Air Force Base, Calif. I heard about the Glendale Police Department through Lt. Todd Anderson, South Area Commander, who I met while we were both stationed in Japan. He had been hired by Glendale and told me they were hiring, so I applied and the rest is history.  

What experience do you have working in this area?  

As a young officer I worked in the north area for a couple of years. I have worked in the city for the past 22 years and have routinely worked in the northern area of Glendale. Throughout my career I have worked Patrol, Special Enforcement Detail, Narcotics, Gangs, SWAT and our Training Division.

I have always been fond of Montrose and La Crescenta and the small town feel. For the past three years I have been assigned to the Gang Detail and addressed the Gang issues in the North Area Command. I believe that working in partnership with our community we can make positive progress on the problems we have here, however big or small they are.  

What would you like to improve in Montrose and North Glendale?  

Lt. Grimes has left Montrose and North Glendale in great condition. I have requested information on all parolees, probationers, sex registrants and drug arrests. When I receive this information I will assess it and discuss it with my officers. We will then come up with strategies and a plan of action. My focus will be on suppressing crime, addressing traffic issues and working with the Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition to educate, redirect our youth and to free our neighborhoods of drugs.

What do you enjoy about the people, area?  

Since taking over as the North Area Commander the community has welcomed me with open arms. The thing I have always loved about this community is the support and willingness to work with the Glendale Police Department. 

What tips do you have for locals?  

Take all of the necessary precautions to protect yourself, your home and automobile. Remember to lock your doors, remove extra shrubs from around your windows or access points. Car burglars look for easy prey, so lock your car doors and park them in a lit area if you can. Do not leave valuables in plain view in your car. If you have questions, or concerns please call Matt Zakarian or Joe Allen, North Area Command Community Lead Officers.

Is there anything else people should know about you? What do you do when you're not on the job?  

I am married, have four children and two grandchildren. We love to travel. We have made several cross country trips and enjoyed seeing this beautiful country. I love the outdoors, camping and the beach. 

Bickle's Community Concerns: 

In the past two weeks I have attended meetings and events in the North Area Command. I have heard complaints of traffic congestion around the schools, speeders, cross walk dangers and the concern of drug use in the area. I have assigned an officer to each of the schools in the North Area Command as a liaison. When issues arise, the school can call the officer directly and the problems can be handled quickly and efficiently. 

My officers will take a zero tolerance on crime, gang activity and drug sales. Montrose and La Crescenta are great communities. Our mission is to ensure a safe and peaceful neighborhood by providing proactive law enforcement and high quality police services to our community. My officers will be professional and demonstrate respect, integrity and dignity to the people they come in contact with.