Press Release
Democrat Legislators Continue to Make Wrong Headlines
As Legislature Adjourns, Communities Are Left To Fend For Themselves
Posted: Thursday, March 29, 2007
This past week the Los Angeles Police Department issued a report finding that, despite a crackdown, the Van Nuys Division gang crime is up 83% from this same time last year. One would assume that those who represent the areas most impacted by the violence would be at the forefront of the efforts to stem it.
But as media outlets devote more ink and airtime to the rising gang violence, why do we continue to see legislators like Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) making headlines with legislation to crackdown on cat defecation, animal sterilization, walking elephants five miles a day, and a ban of the common light bulb?
Assemblymember Levine and the Democrat majority control the tools of governance to enact change, but they seem more concerned about making headlines and attending national forums than with facing the realities that plague the communities they represent.
As the Democrat majority adjourns the legislature for spring recess, their inaction guarantees the residents of the 40th Assembly district will continue to live in fear, and leaves California's poor and working class residents held hostage in their own streets and neighborhoods.
Hector M. Barajas, Communications Director, California Republican Party
As Levine Concentrates On Cat Defecation, Van Nuys Gang Crime Increases 83%
"San Fernando Valley LAPD areas
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2006
|
2007
|
Chg.
|
|
Van Nuys
|
30
|
55
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+83.3%
|
|
Foothill
|
41
|
71
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+73.2
|
|
Devonshire
|
13
|
16
|
+23.1
|
|
West Valley
|
33
|
40
|
+21.2
|
|
N. Hollywood
|
48
|
34
|
-29.2
|
|
Mission
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46
|
29
|
-37.0
|
|
Total
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211
|
245
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+16.1
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Source: LAPD"(Patrick McGreevy and Richard Winton, "Effects Of Gang Initiative Mixed," Los Angeles Times, 3/24/07)
- "Despite the crackdown, Van Nuys Division gang crime for the first two months is up 83% - 55 crimes compared with 30 at this time last year." (Patrick McGreevy and Richard Winton, "Effects Of Gang Initiative Mixed," Los Angeles Times, 3/24/07)
Police Chief and Mayor Target San Fernando Valley Gangs
We are mounting a coordinated, aggressive suppression strategy that targets the worst offenders and the most violent gangs, and we are coming at them with everything we have,' Villaraigosa said.... In addition, 50 police officers will be assigned to a new unit in the San Fernando Valley that will collect information on gang activity and deploy officers to hot spots. (Patrick McGreevy and Richard Winton, "LAPD Targets City's Worst Gangs," Los Angeles Times, 2/9/07)
City Attorney Issues Gang Injunctions In Levine's District:
"The Office of the City Attorney Gang Unit presently has gang injunctions in place against gangs throughout Los Angeles, including the Canoga Park Alabama, Blythe Street, Culver City, Harbor City, Harbor City Crips, Harpys, Langdon Street, Mara Salvatrucha, Pacoima Project Boys, Venice Shoreline Crips, and Venice Trece street gangs." (Office of Rocky Delgaldillo, "Gang Injunctions," Accessed: 3/8/07) cases
Police Chief and Mayor Target Canoga Park Gang, Offer Reward Leading To Arrest
"'Canoga Park Alabama is also on our list of targeted gangs primarily for their propensity to target victims based on their race,' Bratton said. The mayor and police chief declared an assault on gangs two weeks ago with a 'coordinated, aggressive suppression strategy' that boldly named the city's most dangerous street gangs. They also moved to add 50 officers to fight rising gang violence in the Valley and the City Council has approved a reward of up to $50,000 leading to the arrest of any of the top 10. (Rachel Uranga and Rick Coca, "LAPD Top 10 Suspect Nabbed," Los Angeles Daily New, 3/1/07)
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