Mission Hills - On Sunday, May 20, 2001 between 8:00 and 11:00 P.M., Foothill Division conducted a "Street Cruiser Task Force" designed to curb numerous problems associated with "Cruisers" in the Foothill area.

The problems impacting the community, as a result of the congregation of thousands of young adults and juveniles, includes traffic congestion, traffic collisions, gang activities, aggravated assaults, robberies, shootings, and murders. The objective of the Task Force was to provide professional, pro-active enforcement in targeted areas affected by these problems, in order to prevent violent crimes and discourage cruisers from returning to the area.

The Task Force included officers assigned to Foothill Area's Special Enforcement Unit (SEU), Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (CLEAR), Vice officers, Senior Lead Officers (SLO), and personnel from the Department of Transportation (DOT), California Highway Patrol (CHP), Los Angeles County Probation, California State Parole, Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP), and California State Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).

During the course of the evening, officers issued 156 citations, impounded 13 vehicles, made 11 misdemeanor arrests, and recovered one handgun.

This information was provided by Detective Kandis Smitdt-Vanina, Foothill SEU, 818-756-8861.

This press release was prepared by officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations section, 213-485-3586.