Troubled, but No State of Siege

While I appreciate the substantial coverage the Daily News provided to this important issue, I want to correct the record as to my remarks regarding the state of the Valley.

I do NOT believe the San Fernando Valley is presently in a "state of siege" by gang violence.

The violence we have seen this year needs all of our collective efforts to quell. Our success in that endeavor does in part depend on each stakeholder and contributor having a sense of urgency to work more effectively. Describing our condition in a manner that elicits such an urgency is valuable, however, suggesting a "state of siege" exists is counter-productive in two manners.

One, while the levels of violence are unacceptable, their concentrations in the San Fernando Valley are not extreme in comparison to many other parts of the city or region. The use of the term "state of siege" poses the risk of the situation being exaggerated or magnified beyond its actual existence. Such a conclusion can result in people dismissing this as a real problem requiring real action on their part.

Second, the situation we are in can and will be successfully addressed by a sustained effort that disassembles those influences that are contributing to the increase in gang-related violence. However, terrifying those who live and work in our communities by describing our current situation in such an extreme manner risks undermining our success in gaining their willing participation to step out in their commitment of added resources to strengthen neighborhoods against the perils of gang violence.

The men and women of our Department are focused on reducing the level of gang violence we have experienced this year in the San Fernando Valley.  Their work, in concert with the contributions of others in the law enforcement community, schools, community and faith-based organizations are making an impact everyday. Successes have been achieved in addressing this increase in violence and I believe the added strategies discussed last week before the Board of Police Commissioners will further benefit this problem.

LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore
818.838.9465

Comments

[Harry]

The reason you don't believe you are in a STATE OF SIEGE is because you don't want the public or your boss to think you don't have crime under control. Officers in that division are telling you that gang crime is rising and the citizens are telling you gangs are out of control. Listen! Go after the gangs. Let your cops go to work and put the gangs in their place. And that is behind bars! Period. Stop talking and go to work. Your cops are not cannon fodder! Take care of them and give them the tools to get the job done. If the citizens feel they are in a state of Siege, then they are! Who cares about the other divisions. Stop comparing because the people who live in your area can care less what crime is like in other parts of the city. Just because Commander MOORE doesn't think gang crime is putting the lives of the citizens in a STAE OF SIEGE doesn't make it so. They think it,they live in it AND YOU DON'T. Let your cops hit these street thugs and hit them hard. Your leadership is on the line. The free ride you got at Rampart, you will not get in the Valley. Gang crime is up and it's up to you to make sure it goes down. If you can't maybe the Chief should find himself a new leader for the Valley. Period.