News Conference & Enforcement Operation ” Return to School Safety Tips NA12006ne

What:
Promote traffic safety around school(s).

When:
Monday, January 9, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 a.m. – Enforcement Operational Period
8:00 a.m. -PRESS CONFERENCE
Where:
Press Conference will be held in front of Lemay Street Elementary School
17520 Vanowen St
Van Nuys, 91406
Who:
Councilman Dennis P. Zine, City of Los Angeles, 3rd District
Chief Steven Zipperman, Chief of Police, Los Angeles School Police
Captain Ivan Minsal, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division
Captain Nick Zingo, West Valley Patrol Division
Los Angeles Unified School District Principle Long Nguyen, Winnetka Elementary School
Jim Dellinger, Field Deputy for Councilmember Mitchell Englander
Sergeant Arturo Gomez, Valley Traffic Division(Coordinator)
Police Officer Leland Tang, California Highway Patrol
Valley Traffic Division, Community Traffic Services Officers

Why:
As part of the “Start of School Strategic Plan” scheduled for LAPD’s Valley Traffic Division during the 2011/2012 school year, Valley Traffic Division will be conducting a TrafficSafety &Enforcement Operation- Press Conferenceas approximately 700,000 students return to school after the holiday recess.

This operation will be conducted in an effort to promote traffic safety in and around schools throughout the City of Los Angeles.  We want to bring awareness to motorist and parents alike of the traffic laws in effect around schools in an effort to save children’s lives.

Children are some of the most vulnerable users of our streets.  Even though children under 15 years of age represent only 15 percent of our population, they make up 30 percent of pedestrian injuries.  Children ages 5 to 9 are at the greatest risk of traffic-related pedestrian injury and death.  Many parents overestimate their children’s pedestrian skills.  

Regrettably each year in the City of Los Angeles, many children and adults suffer serious injuries, or are killed, while dropping off or picking up children from school.

For additional information, please contact SergeantArturo Gomez at 805-559-9637 or Valley Traffic Division watch commander at 818-644-8010.