Politics & Government

Englander E-News: In-car Cop Cameras, One-on-One Meetups with City Workers and More

LAPD Digital In-Car Video Enters Phase 2

Last Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in authorizing phase two of the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD), Digital In-Car Video (DICV) program. 

In 2010, Operations South Bureau became the first area to deploy the DICV system with the installation of cameras in 300 vehicles. Since that time nearly 840,000 clips have been recorded, totaling more than 170,000 hours of video. The program has proven to be a success in protecting both LAPD officers and the public. In fact, for years 2011 and 2012 there were 226 personnel complaints impacted by DICV. Of those 226, approximately 92% were exonerated or unfounded based on evidence provided by the cameras. Phase two continues the roll out of the cameras to the 381 Black and Whites used by the five stations that make up LAPD's Central Bureau, with the eventual goal being to take the DICV system citywide.

Owing to the success of DICV and it having been proved such a valuable tool for law enforcement, and because not all police activity happens within the DICV field of view, I have partnered with Police Commission President Steve Soboroff, Police Protective League President Tyler Izen, and Police Chief Charlie Beck, to bring on-officer camera to the Department as well.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District 

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Ensuring Better Customer Service for DWP Customers…
Today, I submitted a motion requesting the Department of Water and Power (DWP) report to the Council in 15 days on the feasibility of implementing a customer call back feature in its Customer Service System in order to minimize wait times and facilitate the needs of its customers.

The Department of Water and Power recently implemented its new Customer Information system which is a modernized billing system intended to facilitate customer service. Since its September 2013 installation, the System has been impacted by software glitches that have resulted in thousands of inaccurate bills for customers.

Find out what's happening in Northridge-Chatsworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Customers concerned about their inaccurate bills have called the Department’s customer help line to attempt to rectify their bills. However, many of the customers have complained about experiencing extremely long wait times. They have complained about being put hold; and then waiting approximately 45 minutes to an hour to talk to a customer representative.

The DWP states that it is aware of these issues and is working diligently to address them.

As the DWP addresses these matters, it should also look at implementing a feature in its customer service system that allows customers to receive a call back from the Department instead of having to wait on hold. These customer call back systems have been used effectively in the private sector and function in a manner that ensures customers convenience.

-Mitchell Englander, Councilmember, Twelfth District

Cleaning Up Our Local Murals…

The Twelfth District is home to many wonderful murals which visually enhance the aesthetics of our community.

Last month, it was brought to our attention that two murals on Reseda Boulevard, in Northridge were severely vandalized. Working with the Office of Community Beautification, we were successful in removing the graffiti.

We will continue to monitor the condition of the mural and engage the community on how to preserve, protect and promote murals in our neighborhoods.

Councilmember Englander Receives City of Angels Award from LAX Costal Chamber

This week, I was humbled to receive the LAX Costal Chamber’s City of Angels Award. Congratulations to my fellow honorees: Liam Collins, YouTube Space LA, The Boeing Company, The Coca-Cola Company, and Javier Cano, JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE & The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles and Gail Goldstein, recipient of the Playa Vista Brookfield Residential Spirit Award.

Community Meeting on the SWIRP Draft Program EIR...
The City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation released a Notice of Completion (NOC) on October 31, 2013 for the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (Draft PEIR) on the Solid Waste Integrated Resources Plan (SWIRP), also known as the Zero Waste Plan. The NOC is to inform the public that the SWIRP Draft PEIR has been completed and is ready for public review and comment from October 31, 2013 to December 20, 2013.

SWIRP is a long-range plan to meet the City's solid waste management needs. The plan identifies various policies, programs, and facilities that will be needed to reach the City's goal of 90% landfill diversion by 2025.

Monday, November 18
6:00pm to 7:30pm

Community Service Center
9207 Oakdale Dr.
Chatsworth

The following website provides information on the public meetings, where the Draft PEIR is available, and where to submit written comments: www.lacity.org/san.

Halloween Candy Buy-Back…
Trick or treating is fun but all that sugar can cause tooth decay. Bring your extra candy to Natural White Smile and they will give you $1 for every pound. All collected candy will be donated to the USO to support our troops.

Saturday, November 9
Call for drop off times (818) 772-7096

David Shannon, D.D.S.
Natural White Smile
18915 Nordoff St.
Northridge

Free “Get Smart” Programs at the Mid-Valley Library…
The Mid-Valley Library is offering the following “Get Smart” programs to middle-school and high school students:

ACT Practice Test
Saturday, November 9
10:00am to 2:30 pm

16244 Nordoff St.
North Hills

Please call (818) 895-3650 for more information.

30th Annual Clean Up Day…
The greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce will be having its 30th Annual Clean Up in Northridge. The meet up will be at the In Christ Community Church and the first 150 volunteers will receive a reusable shopping bag.

Saturday, November 9
8:00 am – 12:00 pm

In Christ Community Church
19514 Rinaldi St.
Northridge

For more information please call (818)989-0300 or visitwww.sanfernandovalleychamber.com.

VFW Post 2323 Veteran’s Day Salute...
The VFW Post 2323 will be celebrating and commemorating our nations veterans. The event will start at the corner of Chatsworth and Zelzah and will have a Barbeque at VFW Post 2323.

Monday, November 11
4:00 pm

VFW Post 2323
17522 Chatsworth St.
Granada Hills


For more information please call the VFW Post 2323 at (818) 366-7799.

Technology Solutions for Diabetes Prevention and Management Workshop…
The Valley Non-Profit will be having a free brainstorming discussion with San Fernando Valley diabetes management program directors. The meeting will be led by physician and DPS Health co-founder Dr. Neal Kaufman, who will discuss how promising new technology can support and implement patient self-management.

Tuesday, November 12
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

MEND Poverty Pacoima
10641 San Fernando Rd.
Pacoima

If you would like to register please contact VNR Project Coordinator Julaine Konselman at (818) 990-0176 or julainehiri@aol.com.

Input needed on Recreation and Parks Operations...
The Department of Recreation and Parks is holding community workshops throughout the city. The Department is reaching out to communities to strategically plan the delivery of maintenance services and provide operational support to parks and recreation centers. The Department invites the residents of Council District 12 to provide input and comments at their upcoming community meeting.

Wednesday, November 13
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Mason Recreation Center
10500 Mason Ave.
Chatsworth


The full schedule of meetings is available at http://laparks.com/pdf/comInput.pdf.

For additional information, please visit www.laparks.org
com.

Sign Up Now for One-On-One Help With Representatives of City Departments at Our Community Service Center...
We are now taking reservations for community members to meet one-on-one with representatives of City Departments at our Community Service Center in Chatsworth.

We have regularly scheduled time slots for community members to meet with the Planning, Police, Transportation (LADOT), Housing, Community Development and Neighborhood Empowerment Departments and the Bureau of Sanitation. This will offer community members a chance to get information and assistance in Chatsworth without having to travel all the way to Downtown.

The following Departments are currently taking appointments:

Department of Transportation
Wednesday, November 13
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Our Community Service Center is located at 9207 Oakdale Ave., Second Floor, in Chatsworth.

For more information call Kathy Lettieri at 818-882-1212 or emailKathy.Lettieri@lacity.org.

Building Community - One Breakfast at a Time…
Our Community School (OCS) invites local business owners and community members to its Community Building Breakfast series for a complimentary breakfast while they learn about Our Community School and how they can help build community involvement both on and off campus.

Thursday, November 14th
7:45 am – 9:15 am

Assembly Hall at Our Community School
10045 Jumilla Ave.
Chatsworth

If you have any questions please contact Ilia Jauregui, Development and Communications Director, 818-350-5000 or at Ilia.j@ourcommunityschool.org

Kiwanis Club of Northridge – Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon…
The Kiwanis Club of Northridge is having its 12th Annual Courageous Citizens Award Luncheon, highlighting the courageous acts that citizens have done for the community.

Thursday, November 14
11:45am – 1:30pm

Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Dr.
Granada Hills

It is $50 per person. If you have any questions please call (818)775-1185 or(818)708-8596.

Topanga Area Community Police Station Town Hall Meeting…
The Topanga Community Police Station is having an informative event to discuss crime trends, crime reduction efforts, neighborhood policing, community involvement, and much more.

Thursday, November 14
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

West Valley Christian Church
22450 Sherman Way
West Hills

For more information please contact the Topanga Senior Lead Office at (818)756-3070.

Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth Flea Market…
The Kiwanis Club of Chatsworth is having a Flea Market at the Chatsworth Congregational Church. Over 50 Participants, with 50 different garage sales in one location. Food and drinks will be sold at the event and the funds raised will go towards the Chatsworth Kiwanis Foundation.

Saturday, November 16
10:00am – 4:00pm

Chatsworth Congregational Church
20440 Lassen St.
Chatsworth


If you have any questions or is interested on becoming a vendor please contact Karen at (818) 426-1705.

Friends of the Granada Hills Library Used Book Sale…
The Friends of the Granada Hills Library will host a two-day used book sale in November. Prices range from 25 cents to 1 dollar. All proceeds will benefit the Granada Hills Library.

Friday, November 15 to Saturday, November 16
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Granada Hills Library
10640 Petit Ave.
Granada Hills

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation presents Gone with the Wind…

The Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation presents dramatist Martha Abby Miller in a one-woman show performing her spellbinding presentation of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. This is a fundraising event to help support the Jennifer Diamond Cancer Support Center. Tickets are $17.00 each and includes desserts and coffee.

Friday, November 15
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Jennifer Diamond Cancer Foundation
9410 Owensmouth Ave.
Chatsworth

For more information please call 818-700-6900.

Free Youth Tee Ball Clinic…
Chatsworth Park North will be having a free tee ball clinic for children ages 4 to 6. The clinic will be led by instructors with many years of experience with young children and sports skill development.

Saturday, November 16
Saturday, November 23
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Chatsworth Park North
22300 Chatsworth St.
Chatsworth

For more information please contact Steve Cline atsteve.cline@lacity.org or Craig Lamas atcraig.lamas@lacity.org.

Temple Ramat Zion Salute to our Veterans…
Temple Ramat Zion will have a salute to veterans at the Shabbat Service on November 16th.

Saturday, November 16
9:00 am

Temple Ramat Zion
17655 Devonshire St.
Northridge

For more information please call Natalie Berger at (818)886-8387.

A Very Artful Holiday Fair…
The holidays are almost upon us and the San Fernando Valley Arts Council and Valley Arts Alliance have just the gifts you are looking for! You’ll discover a wide range of unique handmade jewelry, glass, wood, mosaic tiled frames, hand-knitted items, homemade baked goods, paintings, photography, ceramics and more.



Saturday, November 16
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

El Rancho Cordillera del Norte
9015 Wilbur Ave.
Northridge


For more information, please visit www.sfvartscouncil.com.

LA DWP Outreach Presentation…
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is holding a presentation about energy efficiency and water conservation. This informative event is sponsored by New Horizons and is free to the public.

Thursday, November 21 
11:00 am - 11:45 am

New Horizons Sam’s Café 
15725 Parthenia St.
North Hills

For more information contact Patricia Davidovich at (818) 894-9301 ext. 350.

The Chatsworth Fine Arts Council’s Arts and Craft Show…
On exhibit will be original art, and unique crafts, paintings, glass works, fabric arts, wreath designs, jewelry, photography, leather crafts, and ceramics. Also a “sealed bid silent auction” with a variety of items and gift baskets. All proceeds benefit the community art activities of the CFAC.

Sunday, November 24
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

Chatsworth Metrolink Station
10042 Old Depot Plaza Rd.
Chatsworth

Free Admission Free Parking. For more information call: (818) 772-1639 or go towww.chatsworthfineartscouncil.com

Reports From Our Staff:
Our Communications Director, Stephanie Saporito, like to share the Valley Economic Alliance will be accepting nominations for “The Valley of the Stars: Reaching New Heights” event commemorating the 20thAnniversary of the Northridge Earthquake. The event will take place on January 17, 2013 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at California State University, Northridge. The Valley Economic Alliance will be celebrating the outstanding economic growth and countless achievements that have taken place since the earthquake in 1994. Several heroes will be recognized and awarded for playing a major role in helping the Valley rebuild and recover, and whose exceptional courage and dedication helped thousands of citizens throughout that devastating time. Please use the form at the following link to nominate an individual, business or institution worthy of this honor and a reason for nomination. Nominations are due by December 6.


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