• C.P.A.B. (Community Police Advisory Board)
• L.E.C.P. (Law Enforcement Cadet Post 519)
• P.A.L.S. (Police Activity League Supporters)
• MCPC (Mission Community Police Council)
  
• V.S.T. (Volunteer Surveillance Team)

CPAB

CPAB stands for Community Police Advisory Board. Each of the 21 geographic areas in the Los Angeles Police Department has a CPAB. The purpose of the CPAB is to provide advice to the Area Commanding Officer regarding decreasing the incidents and fear of crime in the community.

The Area Commanding Officer provides updates, explanations and information to the CPAB. Each CPAB has two co-chairs. One is the Area Commanding Officer and the other is a member of CPAB. The members of the CPAB are selected by the Area Commanding Officer with recommendations from the community. The 1998 CPAB Co-Chair is Ms. Colleen Hardman. There are twenty-eight members on Mission’s CPAB, made up of business, religious, educational and Neighborhood Watch leaders. The Mission CPAB generally meets every other month.

The Mission CPAB is a community action oriented board, and currently has three projects. The first is an on-going freeway underpass mural project that has produced murals at the Nordhoff, Parthenia, Roscoe and Plummer underpasses of the San Diego Freeway. The projects have been joint efforts with several organizations including Mad About Rising Crime (MARC), New Directions for Youth, New Horizons, Monroe High School, Sepulveda Middle School, and California State University at Northridge. The financing for the mural projects has come from MARC and City Councilman Richard Alarcon, Hal Bernson, Joel Wachs and Galpin Ford.

The second project is long-term, and concerns the enhancement of life issues with the Park Parthenia area (Parthenia Street and Tampa Avenue). The project involves CPAB Neighborhood Watch officers, Mission officers, Councilman Bernson’s office and numerous other City and County offices to improve the quality of life in the area, specifically crime, gang activity, narcotics selling, housing issues, sanitation problems and youth programs.

The third CPAB project concerns illegal dumping in the North Hills area, specifically the area bounded by Lassen Avenue to Roscoe Boulevard, San Diego Freeway to Noble Avenue. Because trash not removed from a community leads to a myriad of other problems, CPAB has committed itself to tackling this problem. CPAB members living in the community identify the dumping locations and utilize community service workers to remove trash. The Mission Volunteer Surveillance Team also monitors locations that are the subject of multiple dumping.

The Mission CPAB is here to serve you and to give you a better voice in the policing of your community. Visit us or communicate to us through one of the 28 CPAB members.

L.E.C.P. (Law Enforcement Cadet Post 519)

What is the Cadet Program?

Cadet Activities

Mission Area Cadet are required to contribute a minimum of 20 hours per month. These hours consist of community service, crime prevention and station hours (records, desk, Cadet meetings, etc.).

The Mission Cadet work such details as the L.A. Marathon, the L.A. Open, Northridge Mall holiday security, parade details, bike licensing, children fingerprinting, and lost child details at fairs. Cadets also go on police ride-alongs, and complete reports at the front desk. These are just a few of our activities.

Cadet Recreations

The Mission Cadet dedicate their time to the community. In return, community leaders, businesses, private citizens, and the Police Activity League support the Cadets with various types of contributions. With these contributions the Cadet program is fully funded, since neither the City of Los Angeles nor the Police Department funds the program. With these funds the Cadets are also awarded for their efforts with a yearly summer fun and educational trip to locations such as Hawaii, San Diego, and San Francisco. We also have several "Fun Nights" that include movies, parties, amusement parks and weekend get-aways. All these activities are at no cost to the Cadet.

Chain of Command

• Area Commander, Captain
• Community Relations Sergeant
• Youth Services Officer, Advisors
• Associate Advisor
• Cadet Captain
• Lieutenant
• Sergeant
• Cadet
• Recruit

Cadets must meet the following conditions and requirements:

• 14 years of age and in the 9th grade; or 15 years (regardless of grade) through 21 years of age
• Maintain a "C" average in all school work through the 12th grade
• Have no record of serious arrests or convictions
• Maintain good moral character
• Be free of any physical deficiencies that would jeopardize the cadet or others in the program
• Present a written recommendation from a teacher, religious leader or other responsible non-related adult
• Pass an oral examination
• Write an autobiography
• Pass a background investigation
• Obtain a medical examination (to qualify for insurance)
• Attend and graduate from the Cadet Academy
• Demonstrate a willingness to serve and participate in Cadet activities

For more information about the Mission Cadet program, contact Officer Marco Mendoza, Youth Services Officer at 818-838-9853.

P.A.L.S. (Police Activity League Supporters)

"SERVING OUR YOUTH"

French author Albert Camus once made the remark, "Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better." PALS have provided this chance for our youth to be better students, better citizens and enjoy a better life style. They have the advantage, thanks to PALS, to become involved in the many worthwhile programs that offer them a good start at life.

PALS (a non-profit organization) is a partnership of business people and private residents that work with our youth and police department. This partnership has empowered them to tap into their combined resources and talents to help our youth and to build a safer community. A crime-free community and the future of our youth are everyone’s concern.

PALS Community Youth Center is the focal point for the Mission Division Activities Programs. Coordinated by police officers and volunteers, the youth center is an alternative to gangs and crime, providing our youth tutoring and training on computers, field trips and sport activities. The youth program is open to the underprivileged youths of our community, ages 6 - 14 years, free of charge. Some other PALS projects and activities include Cadet Law Enforcement, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and the "Holiday Basket Program." Through the generous donations of food and gift certificates from local businesses, the "Holiday Basket Program" fed more than 217 needy families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Mission PALS are dependent on fundraisers, sponsors and the community. Two of the major fundraisers are the 5K/10K run and the golf tournament. These successful events provided funds for the PALS’ activities.

If you would like to become involved by providing funds or time, please call the LAPD Community Relations Office at 818-838-9860.

MCPC (Mission Community Police Council)

What is the Volunteer Surveillance Team (VST)?

VST is a group of community volunteers living in the LAPD Mission Area that are specially trained and supervised by LAPD officers to observe and report criminal activity.

How does a surveillance detail operate?

When a crime pattern is identified, the LAPD officers in charge plan how a surveillance detail would be safely and effectively conducted. Volunteers are assembled at a roll call and assigned predesignated observation posts, typically located in cars, vans, buildings or rooftops. The VST members who observe criminal activity in the surveillance area report this via police radio to patrol officers assigned to the surveillance detail. These officers respond to the call, stop and question the individual(s) suspected of the criminal activity and make an arrest, if warranted.

What type of criminal activity is the VST assigned to observe?

Any reoccurring criminal activity in a specific area such as truancy, theft from motor vehicles, grand theft auto, lewd conduct, vandalism, tagging, sale of alcohol to underage persons and burglary.

What type of training do the volunteers get?

Initially, new members are provided with a safety orientation and then accompany experienced VST members on several surveillance details to get first hand experience. A formal classroom session is conducted on observation skills, radio procedures and protocol, equipment needed, safety procedures, etc. Field training follows with the observation of simulated criminal activities. New VST members are then assigned to work surveillance details with experienced team leaders where their surveillance and radio broadcast skills are further developed.

Do VST members get involved with criminal suspects or arrest?

Absolutely NOT! VST members when assigned to a surveillance post are expected to be invisible! They are expected to blend into the background and not be observed. Their job is to report their observations to awaiting officers who will evaluate and then detain those involved.

How many active VST volunteers are there and what have they accomplished?

Presently, there are 50-55 active members. Since 1992, VST has donated more than 29,000 hours of surveillance time and saved the city in excess of $1.1 million in police officer salaries. The VST has assisted the LAPD in the apprehension of rapists, graffiti taggers, drug dealers and drug purchasers, burglars, car thieves and truants. In 1999 alone, VST was involved in more than 900 arrests.

Who are the VST?

VST is a mix of men and women, young adults and seniors, including those working in professional and blue-collar jobs as well as retiree’s, who possess a desire to improve their community and assist the LAPD.

What are the requirements to join VST?

Applicants for VST must be 18 years of age or older, a resident of the area served by the Mission Community Police Station, have a valid California driver's license or I.D., be in good physical condition, have good oral communication skills, submit to a background check and pass an oral interview.

What time demands will VST create?

1. One training meeting every other month - 2 hours on a weekday evening.
2. One five hour training session once every 5-6 months on a Saturday from 8am to 1pm.
3. As many surveillance details as you have time for. (One a week or twice a month). Two or three are scheduled per week (typically 3-5 hours in length).

Are volunteers permitted to carry weapons?

NO! VST members are not permitted to carry any type of weapon while participating in the program.

Is it safe being a VST member?

Since it's inception in 1992, no VST member has ever been injured in training or on a surveillance detail. LAPD officers are just around the corner and constantly in touch with members for their safety.

Why become a VST member?

1. There is a need for residents to be involved in their community.
2. Your participation shows support for the LAPD Mission Area officers.
3. Your involvement will help reduce criminal activity and improve the quality of life in your own community.
4. Assisting the LAPD is a personally rewarding experience.

How do I join?

Contact Officer Maria Leonard at 818-838-9859.

VST-Mission Community Police Station
11121 Sepulveda Blvd.
Mission Hills, CA 91345