CRIME SPIKE RATTLES MARKETPLACE REGULARS SHOPPING HUB SEES THREE VIOLENT ACTS IN TWO MONTHS.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - A spate of brazen stabbings and shootings in busy downtown Glendale have police looking at increasing enforcement in the area, particularly as shoppers flock there during the holiday season.

Over the past two months, three separate confrontations have taken place near The Marketplace - a theater, dining and shopping center at 144 S. Brand Blvd. - during the center's peak hours.

The police have long been aware of the potential for violence near the complex, which has become a draw for young people to meet friends, have a bite to eat or spend time after shopping at the Glendale Galleria.

``These recent incidents concern us, and we certainly will be looking at how we're conducting enforcement action down there and providing additional security to ensure it continues to be a safe place to shop,'' said Sgt. Kirk Palmer, spokesman for the Police Department.

Although Palmer would not go into detail about police tactics the department might use to patrol the area, he said enforcement may include increasing uniformed officers in the area as well as exploring ``various sophisticated enforcement techniques.''

The latest in a string of unrelated fights broke out Tuesday at 5:40 p.m. in the 100 block of South Maryland Avenue behind the Marketplace. Three 17-year-old men were transported to local hospitals suffering from stab wounds. One victim was in critical condition.

A 17-year-old male was stabbed multiple times with a screwdriver on Nov. 11 in front of the Mann Theaters at 144 S. Brand Boulevard. The attack took place at 4 p.m. in front of dozens of witnesses. The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and released.

On Sept. 26, rival gang members had a confrontation at The Marketplace and the dispute moved to the front of the Central Library on Harvard Street at about 7:30 p.m. A young man was shot in the thigh and has since recovered.

``The genesis for some of the violence can be gang-related, but at the same time it comes down to personal issues between kids that can erupt into violence,'' Palmer said. ``There isn't that common thread that runs through these incidents, which at times makes it difficult for us.''

Marketplace stores are concerned that if the area develops a reputation as an unsafe environment, their business will be harmed.

``If people in the area see a lot of violence happening in this area, will they want to shop here?'' said an employee at Best Buy in The Marketplace, who chose not to give his name. The back door to the store was closed after Tuesday's stabbing, affecting business. ``It's becoming that part of town.''

Employees in downtown Glendale businesses said confrontations between kids have been happening for years, and what began as a family friendly environment has become a hangout for young adults.

``There's too much testosterone going loose. They just want to get into fights just over looks,'' said the manager of a business in downtown Glendale who also did not give his name. ``There are groups of people that have no regard for anything - police, order, family, children.''

The Police Department has long been working with Public Works to identify areas near the shopping hub that would attract criminal activity and make sure there's proper lighting to make the areas less attractive to criminals.

Police officials said they don't believe that the latest incidents indicate a trend of increasing violence in the city.

``What we found is some of these violent incidents are cyclical in nature,'' Palmer said. ``I don't necessarily see this as an ongoing trend - they seem to be isolated and not part of a larger issue. I imagine things will quiet back down and this won't continue.''

But the stabbings and shootings have made some shoppers concerned about spending time at a place they once considered very safe.

``I didn't think it would happen during the day like that,'' said Eagle Rock resident Noelle Geller, 16, who frequently meets her friends at The Marketplace after shopping at the mall. ``Now I feel like I have to be more cautious. You can't just be like you're hanging out with friends. You have to be more careful about your surroundings.''

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com