Los Angeles: On July 27th & 28th, 2002, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will participate in the 7^th Annual Central Avenue Jazz Festival. LAPD recruitment and public safety informational materials, as well as several LAPD display booths, will be available and on display to the expected 20,000 visitors of the festival. Newton Community Police Explorers will assist the public by directing traffic and providing security at several parking lots.

Central Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Vernon Avenue. Event stages will be erected at 42^nd and 43^rd streets. The two-day festival will be filled with music, food, and community pride.

The Department is honored to participate in this community event in furtherance of our commitment to enhance relations with the communities we serve.

The media is welcome to attend and report on this south-central community festive event.

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