Every Tuesday morning at 10am, the staff of A Better LA join local leaders, public safety officials, and citizens of the West Athens-Westmont area of South LA for the Community Task Force meeting. Executive Director of A Better LA, Brian Center, was instrumental in getting these meetings started in January of 2010.
The Task Force Group has grown to include West Athens-Westmont citizens, law enforcement officials, school teachers and officials, local clergy and religious leaders, and citizens old and young. It has also brought in other local non-profit groups who, like A Better LA, are dedicated to helping citizens empower themselves and end the cycle of violence. These groups include Community Coalition, C.U.R.E., and People for Community Involvement.
Since its inception, the Task Force has seen change in the community. Deputy Bruce McCall was happy to announce that there had been no homicides in the West Athens-Westmont area since the last meeting on June 8, 2010. Deputy Thompson was also able to report encouraging news. There had been no violence or illicit activity at a memorial held for a local gang leader in a community park. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had attended to provide safety for all people who would be at the park that day, including a wedding party and several birthday parties. Despite the inherent tension of the situation, the day went smoothly and the deputies were even invited to join the memorial group for barbeque.
Several other members of the community spoke, each one providing their insight or concerns, or alerting the Task Force to special events that will be held in the next several months.
Overall, it was a very successful meeting that left everyone feeling optimistic about the future of West Athens-Westmont. There is still a lot of work to do, but the Task Force is up to the challenge!
We invite anyone who would like to join to come down to the Clubhouse at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles on Tuesdays at 10am! We would love to meet you and gain your insights and skills! In the words of one new member, “It takes a village to build a strong, healthy community. Everyone should join.”
Look for more pictures and videos from the Task Force meetings soon!
Add Your Comment Jun 16, 2010 - 1:44 pm
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June 15, 2010.
Every Tuesday morning at 10am, the staff of A Better LA join local leaders, public safety officials, and citizens of the West Athens-Westmont area of South LA for the Community Task Force meeting. Executive Director of A Better LA, Brian Center, was instrumental in getting these meetings started in January of 2010.
The Task Force Group has grown to include West Athens-Westmont citizens, law enforcement officials, school teachers and officials, local clergy and religious leaders, and citizens old and young. It has also brought in other local non-profit groups who, like A Better LA, are dedicated to helping citizens empower themselves and end the cycle of violence. These groups include Community Coalition, C.U.R.E., and People for Community Involvement.
Since its inception, the Task Force has seen change in the community. Deputy Bruce McCall was happy to announce that there had been no homicides in the West Athens-Westmont area since the last meeting on June 8, 2010. Deputy Thompson was also able to report encouraging news. There had been no violence or illicit activity at a memorial held for a local gang leader in a community park. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had attended to provide safety for all people who would be at the park that day, including a wedding party and several birthday parties. Despite the inherent tension of the situation, the day went smoothly and the deputies were even invited to join the memorial group for barbeque.
Several other members of the community spoke, each one providing their insight or concerns, or alerting the Task Force to special events that will be held in the next several months.
Overall, it was a very successful meeting that left everyone feeling optimistic about the future of West Athens-Westmont. There is still a lot of work to do, but the Task Force is up to the challenge!
We invite anyone who would like to join to come down to the Clubhouse at Chester Washington Golf Course in Los Angeles on Tuesdays at 10am! We would love to meet you and gain your insights and skills! In the words of one new member, “It takes a village to build a strong, healthy community. Everyone should join.”
Look for more pictures and videos from the Task Force meetings soon!