Communities to Launch Valleywide Business Watch
The Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley this morning will launch a business-led effort to make streets safer in commercial areas.
The Valley Business Watch initiative will operate like the residential Neighborhood Watch program, working in the first-ever Valleywide effort to reduce crime in the business community.
The four police chiefs whose officers serve communities in the San Fernando Valley--Bernard Parks of Los Angeles, David Newsham of Burbank, Russell Siverling of Glendale and Dominic Rivetti of San Fernando--are expected at the the 10 a.m. announcement today at Wickes Furniture store, 6161 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys.
Valley Business Watch was inspired by the success of Sepulveda Boulevard Business Watch, which is credited with a dramatic reduction in drug dealing, prostitution and graffiti on the boulevard within months of its 1995 inception.
Brochures explaining the program will be available at municipal government offices in Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, San Fernando and Los Angeles; the Valley’s 23 chambers of commerce; the office of the Valley Industry and Commerce Assn.; and law enforcement agencies serving the Valley.
The Economic Alliance has created a how-to resource for business districts to follow. Any member of the business community who would like to organize a Business Watch may call (818) 947-0709 for more information.
