Greetings from the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department. The following is the monthly update for August 2002. I hope you find the information useful. You are encouraged to continue to visit our Web site at www.lapdonline.org as it has grown to over 10,000 pages since its inception in 1998. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT National Night Out is an annual activity where law enforcement agencies, in partnership with the communities they serve, hold events designed to strengthen that agency's tie with the community. This year, National Night Out is scheduled for August 6, 2002 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. For the 20th year, the Los Angeles Police Department will hold numerous activities and events across the City. These activities, including cookouts, block parties and station open houses, are coordinated with Neighborhood Watch groups, Community-Police Advisory Board members and volunteers. These events are opportunities for the police in the area to utilize their strategic linkage and communication plan to mobilize community resources. If you are interested in participating in National Night Out activities in your area, contact your local Los Angeles Community Police Station. EXPLORER ACADEMY GRADUATION The Los Angeles Police Explorer program educates and involves youth, ages 14 – 21, in police operations, broadening their understanding of the challenges, skills and responsibilities associated with police work. During their 12-week Academy, Explorers take classes in report writing, ethics, radio communications, criminal justice, desk procedures, human relations and physical training. The 78th Law Enforcement Explorer Academy Graduation Ceremony will be held at the Los Angeles Police Academy gymnasium on Saturday, August 17, 2002, with approximately 120 Explorer recruits graduating after completing over 96 hours of training. This event begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. OPERATIONS – SOUTH BUREAU TOWN HALL MEETING This Town Hall Meeting will bring people from the 77th Street, Southeast, Southwest and Harbor Areas together with local government to discuss community concerns. As Chief of Police, I will be in attendance along with the Commanding Officers from South Bureau Community Police Stations, and other police and City officials. This is the forum for community input and a vital component of the community/police partnership. The Town Hall Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 6:00 p.m. at Locke High School, 625 East 111th Street, Los Angeles. Please join us. MEDAL OF VALOR CEREMONIES On Thursday, September 5, 2002, at 11 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department will present the Medal of Valor Awards, the Department’s highest honor. The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 43rd Annual Medal of Valor Awards luncheon at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel located at 404 South Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets for the luncheon may be purchased by contacting Denise King at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce at (213) 580-7585. The cost for this event is $70 per person for Chamber members and $85 for non-members. Additionally, tables of 10 may also be purchased. The Medal of Valor is awarded to officers who have distinguished themselves with acts of bravery or heroism beyond the normal demands of police service. To date, the Department has awarded 498 Medal of Valor awards. The actions of the officers receiving this honor, illustrates the type of situations any Los Angeles Police Officer may face in the day-to-day performance of their duties. DEPARTMENT TO HOST XXIII NORTH AMERICAN POLICE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS The North American Police Soccer Championships (NAPSC) began in 1980 in Vancouver Canada as an effort to promote camaraderie and sportsmanship among American and Canadian law enforcement officers within the forum of soccer competition. It has since grown to include teams from throughout the North American continent. Prior host agencies have included Toronto in 2001, St. Louis in 2000, Vancouver in 1999, and Philadelphia in 1998. Each year, the host agency chooses a benefit organization and all funds raised above the cost of the tournament are then contributed. The charitable nature of the tournament provides a worthy goal that transcends simple sporting competition. The Los Angeles Police Department will host the tournament from September 4- 7 at the Balboa Sporting Complex in West Valley Division and has chosen the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as the benefit organization. The public is invited to attend. SEPTEMBER 11 – L.A. REMEMBERS The City of Los Angeles is in the process of planning several events honoring all of those who were affected by the events of September 11, 2001. One of the activities in the planning stages include a rolling caravan of vehicles traveling through the City during the days leading up to the one-year anniversary, carrying mementos, poems, and artwork, all tributes to the fallen heroes of the tragic incident. On September 11, 2002, on the south lawn of City Hall, at 11:30 am, a memorial service will be held, attended by the Mayor and other City officials. After the memorial service, a foot procession will proceed to Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral for a one-hour interfaith remembrance service. These events are open to all who wish to join us in honoring the heroes of September 11. AUGUST SAFETY TIPS – TOURIST CRIME PREVENTION The City of Los Angeles is considered to be among the safest “major” cities in the United States. The Los Angeles Police Department wants each tourist in the City to have a safe, crime free visit. There are a few crime prevention tips of which tourists should be aware. Adhering to the following tips can help allow tourists to have a more enjoyable visit to Los Angeles. * Cash: Do not carry large amounts of cash. If you must carry cash, never display large amounts. Whenever possible, you should carry cash substitutes such as traveler’s checks or credit cards. * Luggage: Never leave your luggage unattended and be sure to have adequate identification on the outside of your luggage. Allow hotel personnel to assist you with your luggage if you are not able to keep it with you at all times. Never store cash or jewelry in your luggage. Also, remove old flight tags from your luggage. They may cause confusion and misdirect your luggage, causing it to become lost. * Sightseeing: Obtain directions to the sites you want to visit ahead of time to avoid becoming lost and travel, when at all possible, with a group. Never discuss your sightseeing plans in the presence of strangers. This allows individuals, who may be planning to target you as a victim, to better prepare and carry out their intentions. * Hotels: Use safe-deposit boxes to secure your valuables. Use interior locking devices on your room door and always lock your room door, even if only leaving to get ice. * Pickpockets: Pickpockets usually work in teams. While one person causes a distraction, the other takes your belongings. To better avoid pickpockets, carry your wallet in your front pocket and women should carry their billfolds or coin purses in coat pockets. If your pocket is picked, call out immediately for assistance and warn others. * Vehicle Tips: Always lock your vehicle and take the keys with you. Never leave your wallet or other valuables in your vehicle. If you must store items in your vehicle, the trunk is the most secure location to place them. This information is meant to contribute to the personal security of tourists while traveling in the City of Los Angeles. Tourists can never be too careful, prepared, or aware. For additional information or to obtain a copy of crime prevention circulars, contact the Crime Prevention Unit, at (213) 485-3134, or visit our Web site at www.lapdonline.org and open the “Crime Prevention Tips” icon. MARTIN H. POMEROY Chief of Police To unsubscribe from this newsletter please click on this link http://listserv.lacity.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=lapd_monthly&A=1