Los Angeles: On Thursday, August 28, 2003, dozens of Los Angeles Police Department officers from the North Hollywood Area, Valley Traffic Division, and Valley Bureau Headquarters will focus on violent crime and community quality of life issues in an effort to reduce crime in the San Fernando Valley. This task force will emphasize the apprehension of Grand Theft Auto suspects and the recovery of stolen vehicles.

The crime target area will be Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the West, City of Burbank on the East, Magnolia Boulevard on the South and Sherman Way on the North.

Operations will commence at 8:00 a.m. on August 28, 2003, and continue until 4:00 a.m., the next morning. There will be a zero tolerance for traffic violations and criminal acts in the affected area. Recent past task forces in other parts of the Valley have resulted in hundreds of traffic citations, vehicle impounds, and dozens of arrests.

For additional information contact Commander Michel Moore, Valley Bureau Assistant Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8303, Captain William Sweet, North Hollywood Area Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8332, or Captain Greg Meyer, Valley Traffic Division Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8722.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Asta Webster, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.