Friday, June 27, 2008

The City is Fighting the Avenues Street Gang

As you may know, multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, and Glendale Police Department, launched a collaborative effort to uproot the Avenues street gang. The operation has yielded positive results, including the arrest of at least 28 gang members. Please be assured that law enforcement is working around the clock and will continue stepped-up patrols in the coming weeks to ensure your safety in your homes, schools, and neighborhoods. Public safety, especially for children and youth, is my No. 1 priority.

I strongly believe, however, that we must fight gang violence with a two-pronged approach. In addition to law enforcement, we must provide positive, meaningful alternatives for our children to prevent them from joining gangs, or intervene to help those already involved turn their life around. But the fight for peace must start in the community. I hope that you and your neighbors will join me on at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2008 for a March for Peace in the Northeast. The march will begin at the intersection of York Blvd. and Figueroa St. in Highland Park. Please feel free to contact my Northeast District Office at (323) 254-5295 with any questions you may have.