VAN NUYS : Forum to Address Neighborhood Crime

Residents will have a chance to query City Council members and the Valley’s top law enforcement officers on neighborhood crime at a forum Thursday.

“Crime Awareness II,” to be held at 7 p.m. in the Church on the Way at 14800 Sherman Way in Van Nuys, is expected to draw all five City Council members who represent Van Nuys--Richard Alarcon, Marvin Braude, Laura Chick, Joel Wachs and Zev Yaroslavsky.

Also scheduled to attend from the Los Angeles Police Department are Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker, Van Nuys Capt. James McMurray and the six senior lead officers who organize neighborhood watch groups out of the Van Nuys Division. The event is being coordinated by Officer Joe Losorelli.

One police officer said the advantage of this type of meeting is that it brings LAPD officers and City Council members together to answer questions.

“I go to some of the Neighborhood Watch meetings,” said Officer Chuck Leber. “Some of the issues that they’re bringing up the Police Department can’t deal with by itself.”

Leber said these issues include problems with homeless people and day laborers, in addition to the more common police problems of gang violence and drug sales.

Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn., said he hopes that the forum will inspire residents to organize Neighborhood Watch groups.

“I think when the City Council shows up in a high crime neighborhood, it emphasizes the point for residents to get involved with the Police Department,” Schultz said. “With the lack of police, I think anything short of vigilantes--which I think most of the citizens are tempted to get involved in--will help.”