Tuesday, December 31, 2013

DUI prevention is everyone’s concern



Impaired driving is one of the most serious and preventable dangers we face on our streets. Impaired driving is a killer on our streets all year long and the tradition of celebrating the holidays with alcohol leads to an increase of traffic collisions resulting in injuries and death.

Last year, 10,322 people lost their lives in a DUI-related collision in the United States (NHTSA). Locally, in the City of Los Angeles last year, there were 2,087 DUI-related traffic collisions resulting in very serious injuries and sixteen (16) people died. Nine-hundred fifty-five of those DUI-related collisions occurred here in the San Fernando Valley. There were 9 DUI-related deaths in the Valley in 2012.

We conduct aggressive enforcement on those motorists who choose to drink and drive. Los Angeles Police Officers last year arrested 14,707 impaired drivers. Five thousand six hundred sixty-nine of those arrests were made here in the San Fernando Valley. Personal responsibility is critical to improving roadway safety. Drivers have to do their part by celebrating responsibly to keep everyone on our streets, freeways, and highways safe. Impaired driving is 100% preventable. You choose to drink and drive.

Being arrested for a DUI is costly. The average price tag in the United States for a first time D.U.I. arrest is about $10,000, while in the Los Angeles area that cost is $15,649. This includes impound fees, increase in car insurance premiums, judiciary dues, time away from work to attend court, etc. This cost does not include if there are injuries in a collision, or worse, a loss of human life.

Impaired drivers don’t think of safety. They put other drivers and pedestrians at risk of becoming involved in a traffic collision. If impaired drivers don’t think of safety, we will think of safety for them! If you are over the limit you will be under arrest! Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving!

Throughout this year, the Los Angeles Police Department has conducted 157 Sobriety Checkpoints. Our neighboring law enforcement partners have also had Sobriety (DUI) checkpoints in their respective communities. Some DUI checkpoints, or saturation patrols, will continue this evening. This coming year (2014), with funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), we have planned to conduct 160 Sobriety Checkpoints in Los Angeles with the aim at making our city safer by arresting impaired drivers, reducing the number of traffic collisions, and saving lives!

R-U-O-K to drive? is a ridiculous question. If you think he or she has had too much to drink, help that person find a safe way home.

The best defense against an impaired driver is to wear your seatbelt. For your children, ensure they wear their child safety seat. Buckle up every time, even if you are just going to the corner or on a road trip.

DUI prevention is everyone’s concern. You can do your part by calling 911 when you suspect someone is driving impaired. An inaction can cost a life! Please provide the description of the vehicle, the license plate number, and its direction of travel. We will do the rest.

We will have undercover vice officers inside bars and in night clubs posing as customers to verify that bartenders are not serving alcoholic beverages to obviously intoxicated customers. If they do, they will be cited. L.A.P.D. vice officers will also be keeping an eye out for customers who have had too much to drink and cannot take care of themselves in public. We don’t want intoxicated party-goers to become easy prey for vandals.

Undercover vice officers will also be concentrating on the reduction of alcohol accessibility to minors at off sale liquor stores and similar businesses. If a liquor store clerk sells to a minor, they will be cited on the spot! Do not sell to a minor. Protect our youth.

Los Angeles Police Officers will be working undercover, in uniform, on foot, on bicycles, on motorcycles and in patrol cars looking for impaired drivers.

Throughout this weekend, during this New Year’s Eve, and throughout the entire year, we ask that you drive sober or you will get pulled over!

1. If you will be drinking tonight, or any night, do not drive.
2. Before you leave your home plan how you will return home safely.
3. Use a taxi or take advantage of the great programs the MTA, AAA or similar community programs in your area.
4. Have a designated driver before the festivities begin.
5. Don’t let the LAPD be your designated driver!
6. Don’t welcome the New Year in jail, the hospital or the morgue!!!
7. We want you to have a Happy New Year tomorrow morning when you wake up! 


LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
Valley Traffic Division 

New Year's Eve Safety Tips



Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy New Year!
 

Safety Tips: New Year's Eve 

If you are hosting a New Year's Eve party, following a few simple rules could prevent a tragedy:

•Plan ahead by naming a "designated driver." Make this your responsibility as the host.
•Contact a local cab company to provide rides for your guests.
•Serve non-alcoholic beverages as an option to your guests.
•Stop serving alcohol to your guests several hours before the party ends.
•Provide your guests with a place to stay overnight in your home.
If you are attending New Year's Eve parties and celebrations:

•If you drink, don't drive.
◦Plan ahead and always designate a sober driver before the party or celebration begins.
◦If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit, or get a sober friend or family member to come pick you up.
◦Or, stay where you are until you are sober.
•Take the keys from someone if you think he/she is too impaired to drive.

Tips from USA.gov

1,996 DUI Arrests - DON'T BE A STATISTIC



Winter Holiday AVOID DUI Campaign – Monday Update 13

The Winter Holiday DUI crackdown has resulted in a significant number of DUI arrests from local routine traffic enforcement and special Avoid the 100 DUI deployments during the past several days in Los Angeles County.

From 12:01 AM Friday December 13, 2013 through midnight Sunday December 29, 2013, officers representing 100 county law enforcement agencies have arrested 1,996 individuals for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In 2012, 1,913 DUI arrests occurred during the same seventeen (17) day time period. (**NOTE: These numbers are only provisional with some agencies yet to report**)

For New Year’s Eve the final hours of the campaign the following activity will be taking place:

Monday, December 30
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Arcadia

Tuesday, December 31
MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division (beginning at 6:01 pm)
DUI Patrol – Avoid the 100 Multi Agency (El Camino College Police, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa
Beach, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Redondo Beach, Torrance)
DUI Patrol – Arcadia
DUI Patrol – LASD Bellflower
DUI Patrol – Pomona

Wednesday, January 1
MEP (Maximum Enforcement Period) – CHP Southern Division
Additionally, the CHP are deploying all available officers for their Maximum Enforcement Period during the New Year’s holiday 6:00 PM December 31st ending midnight Wednesday January 1st and all regularly scheduled traffic and patrol officers will focus efforts at stopping and arresting DUI drivers during their normal shifts.

Police, Sheriff and the CHP encourage all motorists to help make your community safer: Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911! Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. DUI arrest data collection will continue through New Year’s Weekend, midnight Wednesday, January 1, 2014.
Sr. CSO Wendy Brewer, Glendora Police Dept., (626) 241-0605
Inv. Victor Gomez, Gardena Police Dept., (310) 925-0111
Dep. Daniel Dail, LA County Sheriff’s Dept. (323)890-5400
Off. Don Inman, LAPD, (213) 486-0703,
Off. Vincente Ramirez, CHP, (818) 240-8200

****************

In 2011, nearly 10,000 people were killed nationally in motor vehicle traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. In California, this deadly crime led to 774 deaths because someone failed to designate a sober driver.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), checkpoints have provided the most effective documented results of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while also yielding considerable cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent. Based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

If you see dangerous driving, Report Drunk Drivers – Call 9-1-1! Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

AS A DRIVER, PLAN AHEAD WITH THESE TIPS:
Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours. Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food. Funding for these operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety http://www.ots.ca.gov/ through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/

AS A DRIVER, PLAN AHEAD WITH THESE TIPS:

Arrange rides home for your friends, family, co-workers and yourself before the drinking begins

Identify and provide free non-alcoholic drinks or other promotional items to the Designated Driver

Party hosts and servers must limit drinks to your guests or patrons. Don’t serve more than one or two over several hours.

Cut back on the amount of drinks you plan to bring to the party – and provide plenty of food.

Monday, December 23, 2013

LAPD Misison Officers partner with Childrens Hospital

LAPD Misison Officers partner with Childrens Hospital, bring Christmas gifts to needy families in Arleta & Panorama City

Today, LAPD Mission Officers had the great opportunity to partner with Children's Hospital of Los Angeles volunteers in delivering Christmas presents to needy families in the communities of Arleta and Panorama City.

Maggie Compton, who's young son is a cancer survivor, said that she and her family like to pay it forward after all the help her family received while her son was at Children's Hospital.

She added that several other volunteers distribute the many toys that are donated to approximately 500 families who's children receive extensive care at Children's Hospital.

The families were very appreciative of the fact that they did not have to worry about buying gifts, and be able to focus on the continuous care that their children require.
The safety of our Neighborhood is not up to the Police...IT IS OURS!



It is up to everyone that lives in our community to watch out, not only for themselves but, for their neighbors. If you see cars that are parked and not moved for more than 72 hours call 311 and report it. If you see any vandalism, PLEASE report it. If you see someone that obviously doesn't belong or is doing something they shouldn't be, PLEASE report it. Lets keep our neighborhood clean, if you see furniture being dumped, call and have it removed.



WE ARE THE EYES AND EARS FOR THE POLICE. IT IS UP TO US TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE!!!

Senior Lead: Officer ???
Office: (818) 838-9847 Cell: (818) 731-2553