RESEDA : Police Seek Building for Youth Center

The newest youth center in west San Fernando Valley may soon land in Reseda courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department.

West Valley Officer Tony Newsome said Tuesday that the department has earmarked funds to start a Reseda center with a boxing ring, counseling offices and karate studio for the department’s gang-intervention program.

What’s lacking, he said, is a place.

Despite an abundance of vacant buildings in the area--and $500 per month in donations that police have earmarked for rent--development of the proposed Jeopardy Youth Center has been postponed for more than five months as officers comb the Valley for a building, Newsome said.

The task has been difficult, he said, because most landlords have been reluctant to lease space at below-market value as a community service despite high vacancy rates.

“We have some money in hand, but we need to find someone who is willing to meet us half way,” Newsome said.

Ann Kinzle, executive manager of the Reseda Chamber of Commerce, has been helping with the search. She said many property managers are waiting for the economy to turn around before they rent.

Newsome and fellow Jeopardy Officer Michael Piceno conduct classes for the 53 children enrolled in Jeopardy at several locations throughout the West Valley. Art classes are taught on the patio behind Newsome’s office, weight training in the Reseda YMCA, drama in space at Universal Studios and karate in a studio in Canoga Park, he said.

Jeopardy, a Valleywide gang intervention program sponsored by the Los Angeles Police Department, provides athletic programs, counseling and tutoring for a select group of boys and girls in their early teens, who are considered at risk for joining gangs or dropping out of school.

About 1,100 youths have been involved since the program began three years ago, and the Police Department is considering expanding it citywide next year, said Van Nuys Detective Craig Rhudy, Jeopardy coordinator.