Spring greetings from the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department. The following is the monthly update for April 2001. I encourage you to continue to visit our Web site at www.lapdonline.org as it is updated and revised on a daily basis. EL SALVADOR EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND The Department is in the process of raising funds in order to assist "Policia Nacional Civil" of El Salvador in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that occurred on January 13, 2001. Thousands of police officers in that country suffered great losses including death of family members and the loss of their homes. A fundraising luncheon will take place on Monday, April 2, 2001 in front of Parker Center from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm with all proceeds going to benefit the El Salvador Police Fund. The price for the lunch is $6 with a choice of a Mexican food plate or McDonalds food selections. The public is invited to join us in support of this effort. Additional contributions to this cause should be directed and made payable to: Angel de la Comunidad Foundation, c/o Police Funds El Salvador, P.O. Box 913, San Gabriel, California 91778. GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES HELD FOR THE NEW NORTH VALLEY COMMUNITY POLICE STATION On Thursday, March 29, 2001, representatives from the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Police Department broke ground for the new North Valley Community Police Station, located at 11121 North Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills. This marked the beginning construction stages of the sixth community police station in the San Fernando Valley and the 19th community police station in the City. The Department's Operations-Valley Bureau provides police services to more than 1.3 million people who reside in the 221 square mile area of the San Fernando Valley. It is the largest police bureau in the City, in population, and in square miles and is currently served by five police stations: Van Nuys, West Valley, North Hollywood, Foothill and Devonshire. With the addition of the North Valley Community Police Station, we will be able to provide better police services to those who live, work and visit the San Fernando Valley area of the City of Los Angeles. LOS ANGELES POLICE CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Preparations continue for the 30th Annual Los Angeles Police-Celebrity Golf Tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 19, 2001, at Rancho Park Golf Course in West Los Angeles. Last year's host was Wayne Gretzky and more than 30 movie, television and sports stars played golf to raise money for the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation. So far, this year the celebrity list includes Steve Guttenberg, Dennis Farina, George Lopez and Chad Everett, just to name a few. Aside from just golf, this tournament serves as an LAPD open house event that features displays and demonstrations of the various police units. Anyone interested in the Los Angeles Police Department will not want to miss this day of family fun. Tickets are available for $4 and are available at all Los Angeles Community Police Stations and at the gates at the day of the event. APRIL SAFETY TIPS CHILD CRIME PREVENTION Children are our most precious resource. Unfortunately, because of their vulnerability, children are popular targets for child molesters, drug dealers, and other predatory criminals. As a result, parents have teamed up with the Los Angeles Police Department, teachers and other professionals to focus on child crime prevention measures. By working with children and teaching them crime prevention measures, we can substantially reduce the chances of child victimization. Children should know: * The definition of an emergency and when to contact police, fire or paramedics; * Their full name, address, and telephone number, including area code; * Their parents' full name and work telephone number; * How and when to use 911 and how to use a public telephone; * How to use the telephone to call home; * That they should check in with you or a trusted neighbor when they get home from school; * Where to go for safety if you are not around; * Always keep doors locked, even during the day; * Anyone they don't know is a stranger; * Stay away from cars occupied by strangers; * Never open doors for strangers; * Never tell anyone who comes to the door (or on the telephone) that they are alone; * When answering the telephone, never give information to strange callers; * It's OK to say NO to an adult if the adult makes them feel uncomfortable; * Never let anyone touch them where their underwear or swimsuit should cover; * It's OK to run away and scream "HELP" if someone tries to make them do something they don't want to do; * It's OK to tell if someone offers them gifts or money, or wants to photograph them; * How to describe a person's appearance, clothing and their car if they are ever approached by a stranger; * Run to other people and to lighted areas if they are being followed; * Stay near parents while in a store or other public place; * Never go out to a parking lot if they get separated from parents in a shopping center or mall; * Go to the nearest check out counter and ask a cashier for assistance if they get lost in a store; * What to do if they should become lost in a crowd; * Stay in one place if they get lost; * Never go into a public restroom alone; and * Never play in abandoned buildings. Rules for parents: * Encourage your children to communicate with you. If someone is causing them to be anxious, fearful, or concerned for their safety, but has not attempted overt acts, parents need to know about it; * Never leave your children unattended; * Know where your children are at all times; * Know your children's friends, where they live and their telephone numbers; * Listen to your children when they tell you they don't want to be with someone and ask why; * Have your children's school or day care center personnel call if your children are absent; * Use extreme caution when selecting a babysitter, preschool or day care center. Check their references and have face-to-face meetings with the babysitter, preschool and day care center personnel who will be looking after your children; and * Get to know your neighbors, especially in a new neighborhood. We have attempted to establish a "crime prevention attitude" for parents and children. The importance of practicing a "crime prevention attitude" cannot be stressed enough! Play crime prevention roles with your children and teach them how to respond. If properly prepared, your children will automatically take the correct crime prevention action in a dangerous situation. It is important to practice with your children and to encourage a "crime prevention attitude" in their daily lives. BERNARD C. PARKS CHIEF OF POLICE