3 Residents Receive Community Awards

Three San Fernando Valley residents were among the winners of 10 community awards handed out Monday by Los Angeles City Atty. James K. Hahn to recognize people who help support law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

The awards were given out on behalf of Hahn’s criminal justice panel, a volunteer group formed in 1986 to address long-standing law enforcement problems.

Among the award recipients were Stephen Getzoff, an Encino accountant who formed a Neighborhood Watch group called We Are The Community Helpers (WATCH). Since its founding four years ago, the group has trained more than 200 community volunteers to participate in police-sponsored surveillance efforts that have nabbed nine suspects.

Getzoff is also a reserve officer with the Los Angels Police Department.

Also honored was Herman Siegel, a reserve deputy sheriff and former Hughes Aircraft worker who lives in Woodland Hills. Siegel, who helped coordinate various local law enforcement agencies during the 1984 Olympic games, has been instrumental in getting private firms to donate computers and other high-tech equipment to the LAPD.

Hahn also honored Ricky Gelb, the part owner of a real estate and property management firm who opened Encino’s first police substation and helped finance a youth center for youngsters at risk of joining gangs. Gelb has also provided another police substation site rent-free in Granada Hills.