Who:
Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski, Karen Wagener, President of the Los Angeles Police Foundation, Deputy Chief Ronald Bergman, Commanding Officer Valley Bureau

What:
Press Conference to Announce Successful Efforts to Obtain 80 New Laser Guided Speed Detection Devices

Where:
Van Nuys Community Police Station, 6240 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys

When:
Tuesday October 8, 2002, at 2:00 p.m.

Los Angeles: Speed is one of the five leading causes of traffic collisions in the City and is a major contributor in most traffic collisions. Fatal traffic collisions, in which speed was determined to be the primary collision factor, are up 32 percent as of October 31, 2001. In 2001, speed accounted for 16.6 percent of all fatal collisions and 14.3 percent of all serious injury collisions.

In light of this serious public safety issue, Deputy Chief Ronald Bergman, during the latter part of 2001, approached former Chief of Police Bernard C. Parks regarding procuring 40 additional laser guided speed guns/devices to increase traffic enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and the rest of the City. These laser guided speed devices are more reliable and effective than standard radar guns. Due to budget constraints, these new laser guided speed devices had been eliminated from the City’s budget, during past budgetary processes. However, thanks to the efforts of Councilmember Cindy Miscikowski and the Los Angeles Police Foundation, the Los Angeles Police Department will now receive 80 new laser guided speed devices. It is anticipated that the laser guided speed devices will be extremely effective in increasing traffic safety in Los Angeles. The end result will be a reduction in speed-related traffic collisions, along with an accompanying reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Laser guided speed devices, unlike radar speed guns, can be used in heavy traffic because it is target selective. Laser guided speed devices are free from potential interference experienced by traditional radar speed enforcement. The use of laser guided speed devices will result in a higher conviction rate, potentially reducing court time.

Some of the laser guided speed devices will be on display for the media and a demonstration of their effectiveness will be conducted.

For further information, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586. This media advisory was prepared by Sergeant John Pasquariello, Assistant Officer in Charge, Media Relations Section.