In an effort to build a safer and healthy community, Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price welcomed this week 10 specifically trained LAPD officers who will be working with local residents to reduce violent crime in the South Park area in Council District 9. The new Community Safety Partnership (CSP) program launched on Monday aims to build trust between residents and law enforcement by developing sports, recreational and other community programming.
“My Office constantly hears that South Park continues to be unsafe and dangerous,” Price said. “With the help of this community-driven program, we will transform South Park into a safe haven that will allow our families to build memories; our children to run freely; and the community to gather during the day and night.”
One of the main facets of the program is incorporating free community and youth programs, which are expected to begin as early as the fall. Among the programs that have been implemented as a result of other CSPs are: youth football, Girl and Boy Scouts troops, employment training, medical services, and educational programs. A number of additional community- and youth-oriented programs are expected to be implemented.
The community-based policing program includes a substation at South Park, which will be overseen by Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Ronald Kingi.
“My passion is to truly help this community thrive because I don’t believe in the saying, ‘Well, this is just the way things are,’” Sgt. Kingi said. “My family is from this neighborhood, and I was brought up in a similar community so I understand and share those same frustrations. I am committed to meet the community where they are, build long term positive relationships and work together in expecting more out of life for a better future.”
The CSP program originated in 2011 at public housing communities to help curb violence. The South Park CSP was made possible thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Ballmer Group for the next three years.
“Ballmer Group is excited to support the expansion of LAPD’s Community Safety Partnership to South Park. CSP has a proven track record of shifting the dynamics between law enforcement and community residents—resulting in a greater level of trust, and a decrease in crime,” said Nina Revoyr, executive director-Los Angeles, Ballmer Group. “At a moment when South L.A. is experiencing an uptick in violence, it is especially important that the community and LAPD work together. CSP’s relationship-based policing model, combined with strong resident leadership, will result in a safer, healthier community for the children and families of South Park.”
Price stressed that he is committed to identifying and securing funding sources for subsequent years. All community and youth programs will be free to local families.
