United Communities to Stop Violence "Gangs and Drugs; understanding the issues"

~~~~ .. The Coalition .. ~~~~

Successful Community Policing partnerships depend on the active participation of all those who live and work in the area.

"United Communities to Stop Violence" is a coalition of church groups, youth groups, schools, government agencies, local Chambers of Commerce, LAPD and LACP (LA Community Policing).

The group received significant assistance from the two Councilmen who represent our area, Ed Reyes of Council District 1 and Nick Pacheco of Council District 14.

We've rallied participation from a variety of places including:

· · our Neighborhood Watch groups

· · the LA Unified School Districts that serve us

· · the 19 Catholic Parishes in the area

· · the now forming Neighborhood Councils - four in Hollenbeck

· · the local Chambers of Commerce

· · the Service Clubs - Rotary, Exchange, Lions, etc.

· · the Big Brother organization

· · the LA Youth Opportunity Movement

· · the Boys and Girls Clubs

· · the Hollenbeck Explorers and Volunteers

· · the two City Council Members that represent us

· · the Human Relations Office and Days of Dialogue

· · and, of course, LACP, C-PAB and LAPD

There was significant participation by LAPD Department personnel. Los Angeles Police Commissioner Silvia Saucedo, Detective D.W. Fields and Detective Bill Eagleson were panel members.

Commanding Officers who either assisted in the coordination and / or participated in the event included Deputy Chief Margaret York, Commander Lee Carter, Commander Jim McDonnell, Captain Paul Pesqueira, Captain Anita Ortega, Sergeant Fred Kramer, Sergeant Mike Peterson and Sergeant Russell, and other rank and file officers.

In addition we would be remiss if we did not give a special thanks to the Hollenbeck Explorers and Volunteers without whose invaluable help this event could not have been a success.

This community supports the police, and thanks the officers for their service.

Last, but certainly not least, we wish to make special mention of Bob Spears, Assistant Principal of Bravo High School, and David Holmes, District H, and Bob Bilousky, District F ... all members of the LA Unified School District which provided the coalition with such a wonderful venue for the event.