Community Policing

THE PROGRAM: The Los Angeles Police Department has assigned 31 officers to full-time community relations duty in the San Fernando Valley. The officers, who in the past spent only a few hours a month on such duty, now work full-time with neighborhood organizations and individuals. One of the 31 areas is described below:

THE OFFICER: Sally Barnes

Devonshire Division

(818) 908-4011

THE AREA: Robberies--from holdups of businesses to purse snatchings--are the biggest worry in Barnes’ patrol area, which includes many major shopping centers and Cal State Northridge. Auto theft is also a major problem. There is some gang activity and drug sales as well. “I don’t know if it’s the economy with so many people out of work,” Barnes says, “but we’ve been getting busier.”