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November 20th Community Police Advisory Board

Submitted by NWSPNC Member Guillermo Villagran

The following is a brief recap of the most important LAPD Harbor Div information that directly impacts the NWSPNC area:

Former Harbor Division Captain George Gascon, promoted to Assistant Chief overseeing human resources activity at LAPD HQ has been re-assigned to field operations. This move was prompted by Chief Bratton in an effort to utilize senior management in that which they have demonstrated competence and excellence. Assistant Chief Gascon's responsibilities will bring him in contact with the approximately 80% of uniformed officers. It's anticipated that his knowledge and verve for effective policing at the street level will result in reduced crime.

Harbor Division has been selected as one of three divisions that will participate in a pilot program to determine its effectiveness in reducing crime. The harbor area will be divided into three geography-specific districts: San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City/Harbor Gateway. Lieutenants will be assigned to each district and will be held responsible for crime reduction within their respective districts. At their immediate disposal will be special enforcement, gang intervention teams, bike patrol, vice squad (prostitution, alcohol licensing, etc), narcotics, and metro services. Lt. Rigo Romero has been assigned to the San Pedro district. This program officially began on November 16, 2003. It's expected that by removing lieutenants from the station and placing them in the field, by utilizing their leadership and expertise rather than handling administrative tasks, that significant and overall crime reduction will be realized.

As a reminder Officer Rich Mathias is our Senior Lead Officer (SLO) in the northwest San Pedro area. For assistance he can be reached at (213) 509-9391. The Senior Lead Office can be reached at (310) 548-8097. The Harbor Area Community Relations Office can be reached at (310) 548-7600.