Los Angeles: On Thursday, September 25, 2003, dozens of Los Angeles Police Department officers from Foothill Area, Valley Traffic Division, and Operations Valley Bureau will focus on violent crime and community quality of life issues in an effort to reduce crime in the San Fernando Valley. This task force will emphasize the apprehension of robbery, grand theft auto (GTA), burglary and burglary from motor vehicle suspects.

The first target area will be the Van Nuys Corridor. That is the area two to three blocks on either side of Van Nuys Boulevard from Foothill Boulevard on the east to Laurel Canyon Boulevard on the west. That area includes the San Fernando Gardens Housing Development and the Pierce Apartments.

The second target area is Terra Bella Street to the north, Sheldon Street to the south, San Fernando Road to the east and Woodman Avenue to the West. This target area has had a recent cluster of crimes which include robbery, grand theft auto, burglary and burglary from motor vehicle.

Operations will commence at 7:00 a.m., and continue to 4:00 a.m. the next morning. There will be a zero tolerance for traffic violations and criminal acts in the affected area. Recent task forces in other parts of the Valley have resulted in hundreds of traffic citations, vehicle impounds, and dozens of arrests.

For additional information contact Commander Valentino Paniccia, Commanding Officer Valley Bureau, at 818-756-8303; Captain Kirk Albanese, Foothill Area Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8332; or Captain Greg Meyer, Valley Traffic Division Commanding Officer, at 818-756-8722.

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