Community Policing

THE PROGRAM: The Los Angeles Police Department has assigned 31 officers to full-time community relations duty in the San Fernando Valley. The officers, who in the past spent only a few hours a month on such duty, now work full-time with neighborhood organizations and individuals. One of the 31 areas is described below:

Woodland Hills

THE OFFICER: Robert Watson

West Valley Division

(818) 702-6427

THE AREA: Watson patrols the primarily commercial area around Warner Center as well as some surrounding residential neighborhoods. The main crime problems on the beat are auto thefts and burglaries from vehicles, Watson says. The area also has some problems with gang members, who congregate around shopping malls and high schools, he says.