Efforts to Reduce Gang Activity

November 2, 2007

WHAT:
The Let’s Act Now (LAN) Project

WHEN:
Saturday, November 10, 2007, from 10 AM to 1 PM

WHO:
Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon
Deputy Chief Michel Moore, LAPD Operations Valley Bureau
Sandy Kievman, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office
Jeff Carr, Director of Gang Reduction and Youth Development
San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs
City of Los Angeles Department Recreation and Parks
Sylmar Youth Task Force and the San Fernando Valley Faith Coalition

WHERE:
Dronfield Ave between Astoria Street and Raven Street, Sylmar

The members of the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs is sponsoring a community fair to kick off the beginning of the Let’s Act Now (LAN) Project. The project was developed to approach the residents of a targeted area in the Sylmar area and learn about their needs in order to reduce gang activity and gang crime.

Based on the information received from the residents in the area, the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs and all the above mentioned entities will then develop a plan to implement the needed programs in the area to reduce gang activity.

The San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs has created Teens Programs in the West Valley and Van Nuys Areas in the past. The programs have proven to be successful because they offer a safe environment for kids to participate in sports offered at a couple of Recreation Centers. There will be free food, music, activities for children, guest speakers, and information booths, all to help local teens avoid the lure of gangs.

This is the third program created by the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs. The first program began at Lanark Park, in Canoga Park in May 2006, and there are presently more than 125 youth participating on a weekly basis. In September 2007, Van Nuys Recreation Center was selected as the second site due to the increase in gang crimes in the vicinity.

For more information contact Officer Chuck Chacon, Mission Area at 818-634-0619.