Los Angeles - On Saturday, June 23, 2001 at 7:30 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department, the Mayor’s Office, the Ninth Council District, and the Department of Public Works will sponsor a community clean up event and picnic. Over 5,000 volunteers, community leaders and police officers will join city workers at South Park, located at 51^st Street and Avalon Boulevard in Los Angeles, to clean up designated neighborhoods within Newton Area. The target area is bordered by Vernon Avenue to the north, Florence Avenue to the south, and the Harbor Freeway to the west. The eastern borders are Alameda Street from Vernon Avenue to Slauson Avenue, and Central Avenue from Slauson Avenue to Florence Avenue.

Graffiti contractors will paint out graffiti, the Bureau of Street Services and Sanitation will remove bulky items and volunteers will assist in cleaning up vacant lots and alleys. The City will provide equipment, including brooms, shovels and paint. Public Works employees will fix streetlights and trim trees.

"This partnership between the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and other City entities is the essence of Community-Based Government. The men and women of the LAPD are proud to be a part of this effort to address quality of life issues in the communities of Los Angeles," said Chief of Police Bernard C. Parks. "We know crime is less likely to occur in neighborhoods that are well maintained and free from graffiti."

The LAPD senior lead officers from Newton Community Police Station have spent the past several weeks recruiting volunteers for this event. Speakers at the event will include representatives from the Mayor’s Office, Chief Bernard C. Parks and Councilwoman-Elect Jan Perry. Lunch will be provided to all volunteers at South Park. Several public agencies and community service groups will staff exhibits during the picnic from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

For further information regarding this event, please contact Newton Community Police Station, Lieutenant P. Whittingham at 323-846-6524.

This press release was prepared by Officer La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.