NORTH HILLS : Community Leader Calls for More Police

The president of a North Hills community group has vowed to try to bring 20 more police officers to the area as the goal for his next term.

Tony Swan, who was elected Tuesday to his second one-year term as president of the North Hills Community Coordinating Council, laid out his goals to about 30 other members during the organization’s general election meeting.

“I feel very frustrated because this community has been neglected,” Swan said in calling for the increased police presence. “All I’m here to do is to make sure this area gets its fair share of funds and resources that are available.”

Swan said he would also focus on releasing funds now held by various city agencies, including the Community Redevelopment Agency.

“We need to say, ‘Listen, we have some very serious problems in the Valley and we need some of the funds. There are too many restrictions on them. We need to lighten them up,’ ” Swan said.

“We have 240 officers in . . . in L. A. not assigned to any specific division. We need 20 of those officers out in the Valley, especially in the North Hills/Panorama City area.”

Henry Acosta, acting senior lead officer for Devonshire Division, agreed that drug sales and gang activity is up in the North Hills area and that an additional 20 officers would make “a significant impact” in reducing these trends.

During the meeting, the Coordinating Council also named five other executive officers for the 1993-94 year.

Bridgette Siatos retained her post as vice president of membership, Anne Madden was reelected secretary, and Kurt Moller kept his treasurer position. Acosta and fellow Devonshire senior lead officer Les Lovatt were named vice presidents of public relations and public safety.

The council, former in 1989, is a nonprofit association of business leaders and residents from the area who promote community events and work to discourage crime.