FULLERTON : Operation Cleanup to Get State Award

Operation Cleanup, a city program that focuses on neighborhood improvement and crime prevention, will receive an award from the state this month.

The award, which will be presented April 15 at the Governor’s Conference on Victims’ Services and Public Safety in Anaheim, is in recognition of community crime prevention. Fullerton Police Capt. Lee DeVore, commander of the department’s investigation division, also will be honored for his role in developing the program.

Operation Cleanup began last September in the 300 and 400 blocks of West Valencia Drive and West Avenue. Police had received frequent reports of drug-related crime in the area, which consists mostly of apartment buildings.

The program includes ongoing inspections of apartments by city code-enforcement officials, the Fire Department and the county Health Care Agency. Apartment owners found to be in violation of city or county ordinances could face stiff fines.

Also, the Police Department started foot patrols in the area and sought court orders to bar criminals, particularly narcotics dealers, from the area.

Since the pilot program began, DeVore said that there has been a noticeble drop in crime. In addition, he said, community members have become more supportive of cleanup efforts and are reporting more crimes.

Operation Cleanup is scheduled to expand to West Fullerton this week.