Capt. James Craig Receives City Council Award for Community Service

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Captain James Craig will receive the Guardian of the 10th District Award at City Hall tomorrow (Feb. 13, 2009) during the Los Angeles City Council meeting commencing at 9:30 a.m.

The award is only the second such award Los Angeles City Councilman Herb Wesson has bestowed during his tenure.  It acknowledges Captain Craig’s contributions and service to the community when he was captain of the LAPD Southwest Division before his recent reassignment to the West Los Angeles Division.

Captain Craig’s positive impact in the community is being acknowledged in many areas.  He helped organize “LAPD vs. Community” sporting events that included two basketball games and one baseball game.  To ensure the safety and success of the events, he convened numerous meetings with various community members. The games are the focus of Project SAVE Sports League, an initiative by Councilman Wesson to bring together young men in the community through recreation in an effort to keep them from getting involved in gang violence.  During the captain’s oversight of the Southwest Area, gang-related incidents have greatly reduced due to his strong working relationships with community-based gang intervention workers.

The Baldwin Village Cleanup was another effort under his direction that brought together LAPD and Councilman Wesson to beautify the area through painting and landscaping.  Groups in the Cleanup included several community organizations and over 150 participants in a four-hour project.

Also under Captain’s Craig’s direction was the LAPD’s involvement, along with the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks, in “Movies in the Park,” bringing together families and neighbors for an evening of free film screenings that also included free hotdogs and popcorn.

The essence of Captain’s Craig’s dedication and philosophy was expressed recently in a holiday gesture of good will with Councilmen Wesson, Cardenas (District 6) and Rosendahl (District 11) on the steps of City Hall.  During the “Season of Peace” gathering, officials and those who have lost loved ones due to gang violence joined together in a call for an end to the carnage that defies the hope, joy and love of the holiday season.  “One homicide, one shooting is just one too many,” said Captain Craig.