Cable TV Show to Emphasize Police Programs

Deputy Los Angeles Police Chief Mark A. Kroeker this week kicks off a program designed to bring the department’s highly publicized community-oriented policing to cable viewers in the San Fernando Valley.

Produced at United Artists Cable for no charge with Kroeker as the host, Valley Crime Watch may be the only program like it in California, its makers say. The half-hour show, which debuts tonight at 7, is part “America’s Most Wanted,” part “Cops” and a community news report.

With sophisticated production values, including graphics and background music, the first program profiles several suspects wanted in connection with Valley murders and robberies, gives details of an unsolved killing during the riots and provides a look behind the scenes at the department’s Foothill Division.

Included in the look at the division that covers the northeast Valley is a profile of Officer Stephany Payne, one of 31 officers assigned to community policing in the Valley. The camera follows the teacher-turned-cop as she describes problems facing the Pacoima community where she works and how residents can get involved in programs such as Neighborhood Watch.

“What we are trying to do is stimulate involvement in the police-community partnership,” Kroeker said. “We will reach a lot of people with this. We want to try to enlist them into the camp we are trying to build.”