The Record
Neighborhood Prosecutors are now stationed
in each of the 19 police divisions across
the City, bringing them closest to where
they are needed. Whether is
it the formation of the Illegal Street
Racing Task Force, which has fined and/or
jailed over 800 people, impounded over
100 cars and all but stopped illegal
street racing in the San Fernando Valley; the
implementation of the Figueroa Corridor
Project, which has resulted in a 65
percent decrease in prostitution-related
crimes in a section of South Los Angeles;
or the closing of four nuisance bars
accused of supporting gang activity,
drug dealing, underage drinking, noise
and vandalism in the Hollenbeck area,
the Neighborhood Prosecutors work to
find innovative solutions to long standing
neighborhood problems.
A perfect example of the effectiveness
of this innovative work can be seen in
the renaissance of MacArthur Park. For
nearly two decades, MacArthur Park and
its surrounding neighborhood suffered
from neglect, crime and social disorder. Narcotics
sales, prostitution, gambling and public
intoxication plagued the park. In
2002, Neighborhood Prosecutors, in collaboration
with the Los Angeles Police Department
and local neighborhood groups, undertook
an effort to restore the park. By
establishing a zero tolerance policy toward
crime and leveraging existing public,
private and community resources, the prosecutors
were able to aggressively target and enforce
the criminal offenses in and around the
park. Since 2002, area violent crimes
decreased by 32 percent and area property
crimes decreased by 42 percent. The
park has been reclaimed by families, new
businesses have sprung up around the park
and property values have increased.
How it Works
The program focuses on fighting the most
corrosive crimes for communities: drug
sales, prostitution, illegal dumping,
graffiti, and street racing. Known
as the “broken window” theory,
the Neighborhood Prosecutors aim to
identify, prioritize, and address these
criminal problems before they are able
to grow into more serious offenses that
can lead to urban decay in our communities.
The prosecutors are driven by the understanding
that the ability to respond to neighborhood
complaints and address criminal problems
proactively is critical to preserving
the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Why it Matters
The power of Los Angeles lies in its diversity. Along
with an array of cultures, varied geography,
architecture and histories shape this
vibrant, creative community of communities. From
the San Fernando Valley over the Hollywood
Hills; from East Los Angeles to the Venice
Boardwalk; and from the Harbor through
downtown, the City as a whole is made
up of remarkably distinct pieces. Each
neighborhood has its own rhythm, its own
sources of pride and its own concerns.
The primary goal of the Office of the
City Attorney is to make the neighborhoods
of Los Angeles safer – to improve
the quality of life for the City’s
residents at home, at work and at play. Prosecutors
and law enforcement officers throughout
the criminal justice system agree that
when minor acts of civic disorder continue
unchecked, a corresponding increase in
serious crime inevitably occurs. By
taking City prosecutors out of City Hall
and stationing then in the neighborhoods
they serve, the Office of the City Attorney
is able to better accomplish this goal.
