Van Nuys Community Programs

Business owners, employees and residents of the Van Nuys Area work hand in hand with the Police Department to address crime and issues that are of concern to the entire community. Listed below are the various community programs along with phone numbers you can call for more information.

Watch Programs

Mid Valley Community Police Council

Jeopardy

Other Programs

Get Involved

Watch Programs
Apartment, Condominiums And Neighborhood Watch Programs

Sergeant Paul Anderson 818-756-9485 – These programs are comprised of property owners, managers and residents who have joined together to work with the Police Department to identify crime problems and to find methods to address these issues. The meetings are held by community members with police officers providing support. Police Community Representatives (PCR’s) and Block Captains ensure that crime information is disseminated to the community, assistance is provided in organizing neighborhood watch meetings, and a crime prevention resource library is maintained for the use of all community members.

Business Watch
Business owners and managers work with the Police Department to address crime and issues which are of a concern to the business community. Van Nuys has five Business Watch Programs in the Panorama City, Van Nuys, and Sherman Oaks areas. Listed below are the various business watch programs and their assigned chairpersons.

Sepulveda Business Watch – started approximately four years ago and is lead by local businessman and current President of the Chamber of Commerce, Flip Smith. Prostitution, narcotics, gangs and quality of life issues are the problems that led to the LAPD and local business people to join forces to create the Sepulveda Business Watch. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. For additional information contact Van Nuys Community Relations Office at 818-756-9485, or Flip Smith at 818-786-8686.

The Plant Business Watch – This is our newest Business Watch Group. The meeting is located at The Plant, 7870 Van Nuys Boulevard, on the third Thursday of each month. For further information, please call the Van Nuys Community Relations Office at 818-756-9485.

Mid Valley Community Police Council

Don Fetherolf – President
The Mid Valley Community Police Council (MVCPC) is a police support group comprised of local community leaders, organizations, business and professionals that started in 1979. The council initially supported Van Nuys Area police officers and community by providing materials and equipment for Neighborhood Watch programs. It has since grown and today supports a wide range of programs such as Jeopardy (“at risk youths”), Explorer Scouting events, and Police Officer training, providing such things as sporting or station equipment (to improve operations).

In 1994, the MVCPC chose the refurbishment of the Roll Call Room as its goal, as the room had not been improved since the Police Station had opened in 1964. The roll call room is used by an average of 300 officers daily for briefing prior to starting their patrol duties. The room is also used regularly for training, the Explorer Scouts, Neighborhood Watch, and other community meetings. In 1995, the council selected the officer’s workout facility as it’s major project. This room had not been improved since the station opened. This is an extremely important project because officers need to be in top condition to perform their dangerous job. This room is now considered to be a “state-of-the-art” workout facility. These projects were only possible due to the support of local businesses and area community members.
The activities of the council culminate with the “Annual Citizen’s Recognition Luncheon.” This event is held to honor community members who have assisted the Police Department in apprehending criminals or who have committed a heroic deed. The luncheon not only honors these courageous individuals, but also emphasizes the Mid -Valley Community Police Council’s motto that “Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility!”

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month. A presentation is given by a guest speaker on a topic of interest.
The annual Van Nuys area open house and BBQ fundraiser is held at the Van Nuys Community Police Station and includes exhibits and information booths on the services provided by LAPD and various other government agencies. The fundraiser benefits many of the community outreach programs of the council and Van Nuys Community Police.

Century Club and General Memberships are available. Contact Van Nuys Community Relations Office at 818-756-9485.

Jeopardy
Jeopardy is a nonprofit gang prevention/intervention program that was created by the Los Angeles Police Department in 1991. Designed for boys and girls ages 8 through 17 and their parents, Jeopardy uses a positive approach designed to make lifelong changes in the attitudes of the children who are in “jeopardy” of being drawn into the gang lifestyle.

The program assists teachers, parents and the general community in identifying “at-risk children.” Police officers and community volunteers provide these children with education on the dangers of gang involvement and the lifelong consequences of their actions. They are also assisted through guidance and positive group activities to help them build their self-esteem and to provide them with the skills they need to become functioning adults in society and most importantly, their families.

The Jeopardy program is run and financed entirely by donations, gifts and volunteer efforts. Without the help of local and corporate sponsorships, Jeopardy would not be a reality. Please get involved by donating your time, facilities, resources, or by making a financial contribution. You have the power to make a positive change in a child’s life.

If you have any questions regarding Jeopardy Program, please call 818-756-9802.

Letters from Past Jeopardy Members

“I went from hanging around with the wrong crowd, getting in trouble with the law and my parents, and getting bad grades to becoming a straight ‘A’ student. New friends respect me for who I am and I get along with my parents. I have a part time job. I also won at boxing. I thank the Jeopardy officers and my coach for helping me out in changing.” Miguel, 16

“I get better grades now and my mom doesn’t bother me so much, we get along better now and I have a lot of fun and new friends at Jeopardy.” Jorge, 10
“I heard officer Ochoa talk about the dangers of gang violence at a Jeopardy gang presentation in the sixth grade. I didn’t listen thinking it wasn’t going to happen to me. I got in trouble with the gangs, the law, and my family. I came to the Jeopardy officers to get out and they helped me succeed in getting away from those guys (gangs). I am still trying to get my life on track and Jeopardy is helping me.” Maria, 15

“After hearing the Jeopardy gang presentation, I decided not to go to my uncle’s house in Palmdale. He dresses me up like a gangster and we drive around in his low rider.”

Anonymous
Other Programs

Abatement Nuisance – Officer Dean Dipaola 818-756-9485 – This program addresses quality of life issues such as abandoned vehicles and vacant buildings.

Community Police Advisory Board – 818-756-9485: This board is comprised of community, business and residential members who meet monthly with the Commanding Officer of the Van Nuys Community Police Station to address community problems, identify solutions and improve the communication between the community and Police Department.

Community Relations Office – 818-756-9485: This office coordinates community policing activities in the Panorama City, Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys neighborhoods.

Community Surveillance Team And Ham Watch – 818-756-8375 – These community volunteer groups are the “eyes and ears” of the Van Nuys Community Police Station, providing information to assist in the apprehension of criminals.

Community Tagger Task Force – 818-756-8375: This volunteer surveillance group assists the Police Department by documenting and reporting graffiti vandalism or, “tagging” crimes, by photographing and completing crime reports to apprehend and prosecute graffiti vandals.

Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) – 818-756-8371: A police officer reserve is teamed with a counselor to provide immediate assistance to the victim and family members of domestic violence. DART also frees officers to respond to other field duties. This program was the winner of the 1997 “Mayor’s Productivity Award.”

Explorer Scouts – 818-756-9485: Youths are introduced to law enforcement careers and community service.

Graffiti Busters – Lefty Blasco 818-594-1828 – This volunteer group operates through citizen contributions and donations. They spend countless hours removing graffiti throughout the Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, and Van Nuys communities. They sandblast, paint, and clean graffiti off wherever it appears.

Mid-Valley Community Police Council – 818-756-9485 – This nonprofit community organization is comprised of local business and residential members who assist the Van Nuys Community Police Station by providing support for necessary police officer training, equipment, and supplies.

Mid-Valley Jeopardy Foundation – 818-756-9802: This nonprofit community organization provides assistance by maintaining the Jeopardy facility (located at 6015 Woodman Ave.) and equipment. They also provide coaches, supervision, and tutoring for participating youths.

New Employee Orientation Program – 818-756-7970 – New Van Nuys Community Police Station employees meet with community business and residential members to receive insight on community concerns and issues.

Reserve Officer Program – Officer Dean DiPaola, 818-756-9485: Reserve police officers are an essential part of operations at the Van Nuys Police Station. Line reserve officers work field assignments. Technical reserve officers work the front desk allowing police officers to work field assignments. Specialist reserve officers provide a unique or specialized skill.

Safe Parks – 818-756-9485: Park Rangers, community members, and police officers get together to create a safe environment at our local community parks.

Safe Schools – 818-756-8375 – School police, Van Nuys Police Officers, and school Principals work together to maintain a safe environment for our youth to attend school.

Senior Lead Officer – 818-756-9485 – The Senior Lead Officers (SLO’s) coordinate community-policing activities in the Panorama City, Sherman Oaks, and Van Nuys communities.

Sepulveda Boulevard Hotel/Motel Association – Flip Smith 818-786-8686 – Motel and Hotel managers meet monthly with the Van Nuys Vice Unit and other City Departments. Clarification on existing laws, training on new legislation, and elimination of quality of life complaints are addressed.

Traffic Complaint Officer – 818-756-8381: Traffic violators are cited for infractions such as pedestrian violations, speeding and other complaints impacting community safety.

Volunteer Program – 818-756-9485 Volunteers at the Van Nuys Police Station are an integral part of the day-to-day operations. They provide assistance to the Training Unit, Senior Lead Office, Detectives, Crime Surveillance Unit, and other Department entities, and are a valuable asset.