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HOMETOWN
NEWS
Westchester • Playa del Rey • Marina del Rey • Playa Vista
April
your community newspaper • your community • WESTCHESTER • PLAYA DEL REY • MARINA DEL REY • PLAYA VISTA • your community newspaper • your community
Community looks to Neighborhood Watch and predictive policing to help drive down crime There may be more than a decade in crime reduction in the Pacific Division, which includes the Westchester/Playa area, but local residents are on high alert when it comes to the rash of burglaries and thefts that have occurred in the community. In response to the outrage over recent crimes, Councilman Mike Bonin in collaboration with LAPD Deputy Chief Terry Hara, LAPD Pacific Area Captain Brian Johnson and NCWP public safety chair Cyndi Hench, held a Public Safety meeting on March 24 at the LAPD Ahmanson Recruit Training
81st Street residents stroll down the street during their daily Neighborhood Watch patrol. Police are urging the community to start a NW on each block to help reduce crime in the Westchester/ Playa area.
Center in Westchester. More than 300 residents of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista packed the meeting room to hear from the speakers on how to keep the community safe and to learn what the LAPD is doing to help thwart crime and capture the criminals who are breaking into homes and vehicles. For the panelists, the use of predictive policing and the strength of local Neighborhood Watch programs are key to helping reduce crime in the community. (continued on page 4)
Candidates hope to help make difference in area Deadline for NCWP candidate filing is midnight April 3 Local residents, business leaders and property owners interested in serving on the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa (NCWP) board are throwing their hats in the ring for one of the fifteen seats up for grabs in the Sunday, May 18 election. Founded in 2001, the NCWP was one of the first neighborhood councils in the city. Today, there are 95 councils that serve as advisory boards to inform council members and other city officials how the community stands on such issues as planning and land use, education, public safety and public policy. At the Saturday, March 29 candidate information meeting held at the Westchester Community Room, (continued on page 10) At left: Candidates and potential candidates attended the NCWP’s election information meeting to learn more about running for a council seat and the expectations for board members.
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