Los Angels- On Thursday, January 22, 2004, dozens of Los Angeles Police Department officers from Van Nuys Area, Valley Traffic Division, and Valley Bureau headquarters will focus on violent crimes and community quality of life issues in an effort to reduce crime in the San Fernando Valley. This T ask Force will emphasize the apprehension of Grand Theft Auto, Burglary from Motor Vehicle and Property crime suspects in addition to the recovery of stolen vehicles.

The target zone will be Roscoe Boulevard to the North, Sherman Way to the South, the San Diego Freeway on the West and Hazeltine Avenue on the East. This includes a portion of the Sepulveda Boulevard corridor.

Operations will commence at 7:00 a.m., and continue to 4:00 a.m. the next morning. There will be zero tolerance for traffic violations and criminal acts in the affected area. Recent past task forces in parts of the Valley have resulted in hundreds of traffic citations and vehicle impounds, and dozens of arrests. Other similar task forces to combat violent crime and improve the quality of life will be conducted in other parts of the Valley throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Captain James Miller, Van Nuys Area Commanding Officer or Captain Michael Moriarty, Van Nuys Patrol Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8332.

This news advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.