LAPD to Announce Safe Place Program For LGBTQ Community NA17101jr

WHAT: The Los Angeles Police Department Unveils Safe Place Program for LGBTQ Community during the 7th Annual LGBT Heritage Month Celebration

WHEN: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Los Angeles City Hall 3rd Floor Rotunda 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

WHO: LAPD Assistant Chief Beatrice M. Girmala, Director, Office of Special Operations and Department LGBTQ Outreach Program Coordinator Los Angeles Police Department LGBTQ Working Group Members Local Business Owners

WHY: The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to building bridges, strengthening relationships, and protecting our residents, and that is why we are proud to announce a pilot program aimed at creating a safer community. The LAPD Safe Place initiative declares participating brick and mortar establishments a safe-haven for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

LAPD Representatives and Community leaders will reveal details about the campaign at a special breakfast reception to kick-off the City’s LGBT Heritage Month Celebration on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 8:30 a.m., at Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N Spring Street, in the 3rd Floor Rotunda. The LAPD will also unveil our newly created LGBTQ Resource App, which will make it easier to access LGBTQ resource information from your smart phone and Resource Brochure, which will be available at Safe Place locations.

The pilot program is a product of the LAPD LGBTQ Working Group, which was formed by Chief Charlie Beck back in 2010 to create more culturally sensitive policies for the City’s law enforcement officers.

LAPD Safe Place is modeled after a Seattle program, which involves collaboration between Police and local business owners. LAPD Safe Place is free and voluntary for businesses, who will post signage in their storefront windows acknowledging their participation in the program. Business owners agree to provide a “safe place” for the LGBT community, and provide a temporary safe-haven for anyone who might be seeking refuge from a hate crime or incident. The program will roll out in the Hollywood and Northeast Areas of the Los Angeles Police Department.

CONTACT: For more information, please contact Community Relationship Division at (213) 486-6000.