San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles
Bail Bonds Near the Sepulveda Basin, Van Nuys and Encino
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
The Sepulveda Basin is a big park and flood control area in the middle of the San Fernando Valley, not a neighborhood with a lot of houses. If someone you know was arrested there or nearby, call Jane Un Bail Bonds at (213) 725-2815. We are a licensed California bail agent, CDI License #1843448, open 24 hours.
The Basin holds the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, Balboa Lake, Woodley Park and long stretches of open land and trails. It is edged by Encino, Lake Balboa, Reseda, Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys, and crossed by the 405 and the 101. Because few people live inside it, arrests here usually involve a visitor, a driver or someone who lives next door.
Sepulveda Basin at a glance
| LAPD Area | Van Nuys |
|---|---|
| LAPD station | Van Nuys Community Police Station, 6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
| Usually booked at | Valley Jail Section (Van Nuys Station) |
| Courthouse, usually | Van Nuys Courthouse East, 6230 Sylmar Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91401 |
| ZIP codes | 91406, 91316, 91411 |
| Women | Century Regional Detention Facility, Lynwood |
Who handles an arrest in the park
Most of the Basin falls under the LAPD Van Nuys Area. The station is on Sylmar Avenue in Van Nuys, with a front desk number of 818-374-9500. Our Van Nuys station page has the address.
Park rangers, city park staff and other agencies work in large public spaces too. An incident in a park may begin with them and be passed to LAPD. Edges of the Basin touch neighboring Areas, so the response can vary by street. If you cannot tell where the person was taken, call the inmate line at 213-473-6100.
The jail is right next to the station
When a person is arrested near a park, the paperwork sometimes lists the park, a nearby cross street or a freeway ramp as the place of arrest. That is normal. It does not change which jail or court gets the case, but it is useful to tell us exactly what is written, because it helps us find the booking.
Van Nuys is lucky in one way. The Valley Jail Section shares Sylmar Avenue with the station and with the Van Nuys Courthouse East. From the Basin, the trip is only a few miles along Burbank Boulevard, Victory Boulevard or the freeways.
That is the usual booking place for Valley arrests, but LAPD can move people for medical clearance or space. Always confirm before you drive. Read the Valley Jail page for the phone and visiting rules. Parking on Sylmar Avenue is limited at busy times.
What kinds of arrests happen near a big park
Many people only think of the Basin as a place for the Japanese Garden, soccer fields, the lake and the bike path. After closing time the park is dark and quiet, and officers look for people who stay after hours or park on the roads around it. The 405 and the 101 meet nearby, so drivers pass through all night.
Large public parks bring weekend sports, picnics, concerts, runners and cyclists, plus after dark traffic. People are arrested for alcohol related charges, fights, drug possession, theft from cars and traffic violations on the roads that cross the Basin. Some are visitors who live in other cities, which can make the family far away.
If the person lives out of the area, an out of town family member can still sign. Ask us how the paperwork works across long distances, using our online application.
The cost, in plain terms
Premium is the bond fee. It is 10% of bail at the filed rate, or 8% if a private attorney is retained or if the defendant or co-signer is a veteran. Bail Today, Pay Later allows 1% down on approved credit and a monthly plan for the rest.
If bail is $5,000, the premium is $500 and the 1% down payment is $50. If bail is $45,000, the premium is $4,500 and the down payment is $450. We explain the full total first, and approval is required. The guide on bail costs is worth a read.
Court, and what comes next
Cases from Van Nuys are normally heard next door at the Van Nuys Courthouse East. That makes court days easier, since the building is near the jail and the station. Write the date and courtroom on a card and keep it in your wallet.
Families that live near the Basin often have members who work long shifts in the Valley's warehouses, hospitals and shops. A court date on a workday is a real problem. Ask the employer for time off in writing, and keep a copy. Missing court for work is not a reason the judge will accept.
Free help for people without a lawyer is listed in our resources directory. A public defender may be appointed at arraignment if the defendant qualifies.
A short list for the first hour
Do these things first.
- Write down the full legal name and date of birth.
- Note where and when the arrest happened.
- Call the inmate line at 213-473-6100 to confirm the booking.
- Call us at (213) 725-2815 and tell us the jail and the charge.
- Gather a recent pay stub if a co-signer will sign.
Everything else can wait until you have a plan.
1% down is a down payment on approved credit, not the price of the bond. The premium is the rate on file with the California Department of Insurance, 10% of the bail amount, or 8% when a private attorney is retained or you or the defendant is a veteran. The balance goes on a payment plan.
Questions people ask
Is the Sepulveda Basin in Encino or Van Nuys?
It touches both. Most of it falls under the LAPD Van Nuys Area, though edges can fall elsewhere. The inmate line can tell you where the person was booked.
What is the Van Nuys station phone number?
818-374-9500 for the front desk. Use 213-473-6100 for booking information.
Can I sign from another state?
Often yes, with our remote steps. Ask us when you call.
What if the arrest was a traffic stop on the 405?
The California Highway Patrol handles many freeway stops, and they may book the person at a different place. Tell us where it happened and who made the arrest.
What if the person is under 18?
Juvenile cases follow different rules and bail agents usually work with adults. Call us and we will explain what we can do.
Nearby neighborhoods
More in San Fernando Valley, or see every Los Angeles neighborhood.