What:
Farewell To The Old West Valley Station

When:
January 31, 2003, at 11:00 a.m.

Where:
19020 Vanowen Street, Reseda

Los Angeles: West Valley Area officers, civilian employees and their families will gather to say good-bye to, "The Old Station."

The facility, which has been in existence for well over 40 years, is scheduled to be replaced by a new 54,040 square foot station, a $17.5 million replacement. The facility is scheduled to open in December 2004. The new West Valley Community Police Station will accommodate approximately 350 officers, a multi-level parking structure with a rooftop helipad and a 10,000 square foot car repair facility to support patrol cars.

Memorabilia from the old station will be sold at the farewell ceremony and all proceeds raised will be donated to the West Valley Booster’s Association. The Booster’s Association is comprised of community and business members who work to assist with offsetting some of the financial burden incurred by West Valley Area, and not covered by the normal city budgetary process.

The event is open to the public and will include food and drink. Active and retired LAPD officers, civilian employees and their families and everyone who has ever worked at the West Valley Community Police Station are invited to attend the celebration.

"There are many reasons why this station has been so important to the community. We are certainly glad to get a new facility, but to everyone who worked in the old station, there are also plenty of good memories that are hard to leave behind," said Captain James H. Cansler, Commanding Officer of West Valley Area.

This Media Advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Lucy Diaz, Media Relations Office, 213-485-3586.