The crowd at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Forum for the African-American Community — held on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at the Crenshaw Christian Center's Fellowship Hall at 7901 South Vermont Avenue — heard Chief William Bratton and members of his command staff address broad areas of public safety and more specific matters of crime statistics, training, education and youth programs, and ongoing investigations.
Bratton told the crowd that these are the best of times for the police department.
"There is a higher level of confidence," he said. "According to an L.A, Times poll, 77% of the people feel that the LAPD is doing a good job.
Bratton noted that 68% of blacks approved of the LAPD's performance, according to the poll, with 76% of Latinos also approving.
Captain Kevin McClure, commanding officer of LAPD's Robbery Homicide Division, gave the crowd an update on the South Los Angeles Serial Killer investigation. Since 1985, a man has been preying on women in the Western Avenue corridor of South Los Angeles. McClure said the department remains committed to the task force investigating the murders and assaults. Homicide Detective Dennis Kilcoyne discussed how the public can help, and noted that he and his colleagues are working with the media to get the word out, going so far as to knock on the doors of homes in the area to notify everyone about the killer. Kilcoyne encouraged folks to call the LAPD tip line with any information on the case.
Luann Pannell, who serves as director of Los Angeles Police Training and Education, presented information on racial sensitivity training and innovative basic training techniques at the Los Angeles Police Academy.
Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese, who serves as commanding officer for LAPD's South Bureau, talked about the Summer Night Lights program for youth and families at 16 city parks. The Los Angeles Police Department is one of a number of public agencies with a hand in the program, and city officials said that the mayor's Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development will assign two staffers to each facility. There are activities for the youths including basketball, softball and swimming, to name a few. The program will run Wednesdays through Saturdays between 7 p.m. and 12 midnight through September 5th.
Included in this briefing was information on a parolee re-entry program starting in September 2009. The LAPD is partnering with local faith-based organizations, Chicago School of Psychology, and others to reduce the recidivism rate.
Charisse Bremmond-Weaver, president and chief executive officer of the non-profit Brotherhood Crusade, discussed community-based summer programs for youths, including a partnership with LA Lakers assistant coach Jim Cleamons, for a basketball camp.
Sheannette Virtue is a writer for Carib Press.
Photo from The Los Angeles Police Department Blog
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