Who: Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police William Bratton, LAPD Personnel and Community Leaders

What: Press Conference Announcing the South Los Angeles Community Safety Task Force

When: Wednesday, January 15, 2002 at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Crenshaw Christian Center, Fellowship Room, 7901 South Vermont Avenue

Los Angeles: Consistent with Mayor James Hahn’s mandate to make Los Angeles the safest largest City in America and recognizing the need to win the confidence of our communities, Los Angeles Police Department Chief of Police William Bratton, at the direction of Mayor James Hahn, summoned a November 13, 2002 meeting with key members of his command staff, including staff officers from Operations South Bureau. Chief Bratton directed this team to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to address the growing concern over the rise in violent crime in the South Central portion of Los Angeles, encompassing 77^th Street, Southwest, Southeast, and Newton Areas.

In response to the Mayor’s direction and the concerns expressed by Chief Bratton, the South Los Angeles Community Safety Task Force (CSTF) was created. The CSTF will partner with the community to develop and implement strategies that will have a long-term impact on violent crime. The mission of the CSTF is to work in concert with the community to significantly impact the level of violence within South Los Angeles, on both an immediate and long-term basis. By so doing, we will have the opportunity to prove that the police and the public here in Los Angeles, can truly work together; ensuring that all people live in safe and secure neighborhoods.

The aim of the CSTF is to coordinate a collaborative, comprehensive Department and community response to violent crime. Chief William Bratton expressed, "We will utilize the collective arm of the law enforcement community to address the issue of violent crime in our communities. Our resources will come from within, as well as from County, State and Federal law enforcement entities, and community leaders. We recognize that the most significant component in this effort is the community. Without their support, our accomplishments will be short-lived and our efforts in vain."

At the conclusion of the press conference, members of the media will be allowed the opportunity to tour the Community Safety Operations Center (CSOC). For further information, contact the Los Angeles Police Department, Media Relations Section.

This media advisory was prepared by Lieutenant Horace Frank, Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.