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Using Technology to Fight Crime

The Los Angeles Police Department, West Valley Division is working with City Councilman Dennis P. Zine, the West Valley B.O.O.S.T.E.R.S, and the Neighborhood Councils, to set up a surveillance camera program to be used in the areas of Reseda, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, West Hills, Winnetka, Canoga Park and Encino. The surveillance cameras will be mounted to street light poles throughout West Valley Division, targeting high crime and problem areas. This program will allow specially trained officers to monitor problem areas from a specially designed control room.  Officers will be able to monitor suspicious activity and send patrol cars to stop criminals.

In addition to the city cameras, there are also numerous businesses and community members that have made their individual surveillance systems accessible via Internet to officers to provide additional investigative tools to catch criminals and get them off the streets.

The success of similar surveillance camera programs in 6 other LAPD divisions has proven that technology is a necessary tool in preventing crime.   This technology has also become an invaluable investigative tool in the prosecution of criminals by documenting the crimes they commit on video.

West Valley Division police officers are also using 2 vehicles equipped with state of the art license plate readers (LPR) that instantly alert officers to stolen cars and wanted suspects.  The equipment was all donated to the Police Department by Westfield (1 LPR) and the West Valley B.O.O.S.T.E.R.S. (1 LPR and 1 vehicle).

These efforts act as a “Force Multiplier” with more eyes on more areas in our fight against crime. The equipment is being funded by the generous support of Councilman Zine, pledged donations from each community’s Neighborhood Council, and by the B.O.O.S.T.E.R.S.   If you are interested in volunteering or becoming a member of the B.O.O.S.T.E.R.S., contact the West Valley Senior Lead Office at (818) 374-7630.

The Neighborhood Councils helped fund the project by each NC voting to allocate $20,000.00 from the “Street Furniture Fund”.  The Neighborhood Councils have provided funding for digital cameras for patrol units as well. The safety of our community is a priority for the Neighborhood Councils who partner with LAPD.

“CERT” Trains Neighbors to Help Neighbors When Disaster Strikes

You can be a Part of this Important Effort

Natural disasters are a fact of life and something of concern for all Southern Californians. Recent events such as August’s Chatsworth-centered earthquake and the summer long Zaca wildfire have brought even greater focus to such questions as: “How will we cope when disaster strikes? Will help be available in time?” Add to this the continuing threat of terrorist attack and our level of concern rises even higher. Fortunately, help in many neighborhoods help may be right next door. What’s more you can learn to provide such assistance.

The Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT) provides citizen volunteers with the skills needed to assist their neighborhood should a disaster occur. “CERT is our first line of defense against the chaos and loss of life that a calamity can create,” commented Adam Silverman, Chairman of the Tarzana Neighborhood Council’s Public Safety, Traffic, and Emergency Preparedness Committee. “The Neighborhood Councils throughout the South Valley wholeheartedly support this program and urge all interested citizens to get involved.”

What is CERT Training?

Created by the Los Angeles Fire Department in the mid 1980’s, the CERT program provides ordinary people with emergency preparedness training, including basic disaster response skills (such as fire safety), light search and rescue skills, team organization, and knowledge of disaster medical operations. CERT members are trained to provide assistance in the event that professional responders are not immediately available.

CERT’s initial training program (Level 1) consists of 17½ hours of workshops taught one day per week for seven weeks. This initial course is followed by full-day biannual refresher drills, and an opportunity to assist the LAFD at local incidents. Upon completion of the Level 1 course sequence, volunteers are assigned to a “Call-Out Team” which will be dispersed to a disaster area as the need arises. Call-Out Team members are also expected to put their skills to use in their own neighborhoods when needed. Those who successfully complete the initial 7-week course may sign up for two additional levels of training provided by the American Red Cross. 

Level 1 CERT training is provided free of charge within the city of Los Angeles to anyone age 18 and over.

You Can be a CERT Trained Volunteer

The Neighborhood Councils of the South Valley (Canoga Park, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills) believe that the safety and security of Valley residents is of paramount concern. As such, the Neighborhood Councils are taking the lead in creating CERT teams that will cover every block in each Neighborhood Council district. We are working with the Los Angeles Fire Department to create group classes for stakeholders throughout our districts who wish to be a part of this important effort. Each class must have a minimum of 25 participants.

If you are interested in signing up for one of the Neighborhood Council CERT classes, or have questions about the program, email us at lshaffer@tarzananc.org. If you desire to take CERT training, please include your name, address, telephone number, and the number of adults in your household interested in taking the training. We will contact you with class information in your area. This year 14 Tarzana residents completed the training and received certification. We would like to have many more!

“CERT training is of one the most important and satisfying things any of us will ever do,” said Garth Carlson, Chairman of the Reseda Neighborhood Council. “I urge everyone to avail your self of this vital educational experience. The lives you save could be those that are most dear to you.”

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T.R.A.P.P.D. | 18640 Calvert Street, Tarzana CA 91335 | 818.757.1330

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