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Happy Halloween!
SUN VALLEY - Councilmember Paul Krekorian, with members of law enforcement, held a news conference on Wednesday morning reminding children and families about the importance of being safe on Halloween.
With an audience that included young superheroes, princesses, werewolves and fairies, among others, Councilmember Krekorian shared helpful reminders that parents and children can follow while scouring the neighborhood for tasty treats.
"We have to make sure, as adults, that one of the scary things this Halloween is not our own driving," Councilmember Krekorian said. "When these kids will be darting from house to house and in traffic, it's especially important that drivers be vigilant, and slow down, and by all means pay attention, and hang up that phone."
Members of the Burbank and Los Angeles Police Departments echoed the Councilmember's sentiments and emphasized the need to be vigilant for potential hazards, especially to ensure the safety of all pedestrians. During a safety display, officers also demonstrated how to spot tricky treats and provided additional safety tips to make Halloween safe and fun for the community.
In a previous article, we shared a guide to make Halloween night festive, healthy and safe for families and the community. Here are a few more tips for motorists, homeowners, trick-or-treaters and families:
- Avoid using your cell phone while driving because it causes distractions;
- Look for children walking on the street, running, and darting in between parked vehicles;
- Be sure to keep your houses and driveways lit so children know it's all right to approach your homes;
- When inspecting candy, if in doubt, throw it out;
- Be sure to follow all traffic signals and laws and walk only on sidewalks, not the street;
- Always escort your children, trick-or-treat in groups or have children be accompanied by a trust adult.
If you notice any suspicious activity, notify law enforcement immediately. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, you may contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-ASK-LAPD (1-877-275-5273). ------------------------------ |
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School Zone Enforcement to
Encourage Traffic Safety
EAST VALLEY - The office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian has teamed up with L.A.'s Dept. of Transportation's Parking Enforcement bureau and the LAPD Valley Traffic Division to increase driver safety near schools throughout the San Fernando Valley.
Starting this week, the multi-agency effort will result in heightened enforcement during drop-off and pick-up times to encourage greater compliance with traffic safety near school zones.
Carpenter Community Charter School and Bellingham Primary Center have already benefited from increased enforcement, but three more are in the list. The remaining schools slated for enforcement in the morning and afternoon are: - Madison Middle School, from Nov. 7 to 9;
- Rio Vista Elementary School, from Nov. 13 to 15;
- Erwin Street Elementary School, from Nov. 29 to 27.
The five schools were chosen based on repeated safety issues surrounding the periods when children are dropped off for school and picked up in the afternoon. With an uptick in traffic dangers near school zones, such as speeding, illegal parking and illegal street crossings, Councilmember Krekorian's office has launched a multi-pronged effort to improve driver and pedestrian safety.
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LADOT Takes Poll for New East Valley Bike Route
EAST VALLEY - The L.A. Dept. of Transportation wants you to weigh in on which bike lane the community would like the department to build first.
As part of the 2012 Bicycle Plan Implementation, Roscoe Boulevard and Sherman Way are both slated to add a bike lane running from east to west [map: http://goo.gl/maps/CSd9O], which will connect to the heavily used North-South paths in the Valley - including the Orange Line Bike Path and bike lanes on Woodley Avenue, Reseda Boulevard, Winnetka Avenue and Laurel Canyon Road. LADOT, however, is asking for public input on which bike lane should move forward first for immediate installation. Both projects are similar in terms of direction and distance, but here is what the two bike routes have to offer and how they vary: - The Roscoe Boulevard path extends from Topanga Canyon Boulevard in West Hills to Whitsett Avenue in Sun Valley. The Sherman Way path, located south of Roscoe, extends from Canoga Avenue to Laurel Canyon Boulevard;
- The Roscoe Boulevard bikeway will allow for permanent, 24 hour street parking on the curbside lane adjacent to the proposed bike path, as opposed to the peak hour parking restrictions currently in place. Full-time, 24 hour street parking is already available along the length of the Sherman Way option and will continue to remain;
- The Sherman Way path passes through downtown Canoga, Reseda and Van Nuys, providing greater access to business corridors in those areas. Additionally, the Sherman Way path will be closer to transit connectors leading to the rest of Los Angeles. The Roscoe path, on the other hand, is more centrally located within the San Fernando Valley, providing greater accessibility to a number of Valley communities and serving as a better connector to the Valley's existing bikeways.
Again, under the LADOT's five year implementation plan, both routes will be installed. This is just a question of which lane comes first. Constituents who want to vote on the bike path implementation can do so through LADOT's online poll and voice any additional support in the website's comment section. If you have any questions, you can also contact the Council District 2 district office via councilmember.krekorian@lacity.org or phone at (818)755-7676.
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Valley College Unveils Newest
Addition to its "Laboratory of Learning"
VALLEY GLEN - Councilmember Paul Krekorian, along with leaders of the Los Angeles Valley College community, celebrated the dedication and opening Oct. 18 of a new Library and Academic Resource Center.
The two-story, 93,000 square foot facility houses one of the largest libraries in the San Fernando Valley, boasting a collection of more than 130,000 books, magazines and newspapers.
The new building also features a media resource center, professional development center, academic resources center and the LAVC Historic Museum, which are all funded by voter approved propositions A and AA. The improvements are part of the college's revitalization effort to increase the quality of its academic environment while transforming the campus into what officials called a "laboratory of learning."
"Community Colleges have always been important centers of academics and Valley College has been a leader in making strides toward shaping our community's next generation of leaders, workers and informed citizens," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. "These improvements cement Valley College's status as a foundation of excellence in the heart of the San Fernando Valley and one I am proud to represent."
Valley College began its $626 million campus wide renovation project in 2002 to update existing buildings and construct environmentally sustainable structures. Of the 42 projects throughout the campus slated for an update or scheduled to be constructed, 30 have been completed, including a revitalized parking lot, planetarium and new Health & Sciences Center.
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Safety Fair for Teen Drivers Fairs Well with Community
EAST VALLEY - The 6th annual National Teen Safe Driving Week culminated in a successful Teen Drivers' Safety Fair at Notre Dame High School Oct. 20, drawing more than 1,000 attendees, including Councilmember Paul Krekorian. Hosted by the Conor Lynch Foundation and AAA of Southern California, Notre Dame High School was packed with parents and teens as families moved around the event grounds to learn about safe driving techniques. The event also featured a rock climbing wall, live music, food trucks and interactive booths to learn about the most dangerous driving situations and how to avoid them. Teen drivers also had the opportunity to sign their names on the "Text Kills" bus to pledge against texting while driving. Councilmember Krekorian, whose office has worked closely with the Conor Lynch Foundation to improve pedestrian and driver safety, was in attendance along with Councilmember Tom LaBonge and Rep. Howard Berman to support the safety education effort and emphasize the importance of increased vigilance while driving. The week long focus on safe driving was meant to instill good driving habits for teens, especially near schools, shopping centers and other pedestrian-heavy sites. While the national event has taken place since 2006, the local focus took on added significance two years ago, when Conor Lynch was struck and killed by a passing motorist near Notre Dame High School as the 16-year-old track and field runner trained with his team. Following the tragedy, his family started the Conor Lynch Foundation to push for greater safety measures for pedestrians, runners, cyclists and young drivers. back to top ----------------------------- |
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Metro Holds Round of Meetings for East Valley Transit Corridor
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EAST VALLEY - Metro Los Angeles held several community meetings during the first week of October to continue showcasing its study on how best to improve north-south transit opportunities in the east San Fernando Valley.
In three public meetings, Metro officials spoke about providing more reliable transit services within the eastern San Fernando Valley while also improving regional air quality by connecting the regional transportation network that, officials expect, will reduce the number of vehicles along busy stretches.
The Metro study, funded by voter-approved Measure R, encompasses a dozen plans to expand transportation options throughout Los Angeles. The options include low cost capital improvements, such as traffic signal timing modifications, improving two busy Valley corridors - along Van Nuys and Sepulveda boulevards - and more. See all the options here.
The study is slated for completion in 2014-15 following a complete environmental analysis that will identify and analyze the potential social, economic, transportation and environmental benefits and impacts associated with the construction and operation of the project alternatives.
Find additional information about project developments, frequently asked questions and any upcoming events for public participation on the Metro website.
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North Hollywood Police Host
Open House
NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The North Hollywood division of the LAPD opened its doors Oct. 20 for an afternoon of fun, entertainment and a chance to peek inside the inner workings of a local police station. The open house was an opportunity for the North Hollywood division to educate the community about how the local police force works. At the event, residents had the opportunity to learn about the SWAT team, peruse bomb unit equipment and mingle with those sworn to protect and to serve. Joined by actor Erik Estrada of Chips fame, Councilmember Paul Krekorian spent the afternoon meeting with community members and supporting the officers who serve the second district. The North Hollywood Community Police Station serves the communities of North Hollywood, Cahuenga Pass, Studio City, Sun Valley, Toluca Lake, West Toluca Lake, Toluca Woods, Valley Glen, Valley Village and Universal City. You can check out the LAPD website for more information, community events and related LAPD news. ------------------------------
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Celebrating L.A.'s Emerging Filmmakers
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Councilmember Krekorian during the 2nd Annual High School Media Festival at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District
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LOS ANGELES - City officials, entertainment industry professionals and Hollywood stars gathered Oct. 20 to celebrate NewFilmmakers L.A.'s second annual On Location Project's film screening, The Los Angeles Video Project. The event annually recognizes filmmakers who present a unique take of Los Angeles.
The screening featured 22 short films by up-and-coming directors, each spotlighting their creative vision of Los Angeles. Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who wrote the state's first successful film and television incentive program and hosts a similar program featuring high school students in L.A. County, applauded the work of NewFilmmakers L.A.
The Councilmember's Los Angeles Student Media Festival (LASMF) has been a successful medium for fostering and encouraging emerging young talent in film. As the festival gears up for its third year, high school students from throughout L.A. County are now invited to submit their short films for the festival - the only film festival intended solely for high school students in Southern California.
Last year, the LASMF received nearly 300 submissions with the final 32 works screened at the historic El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District during which the winners were announced.
The deadline for submissions is Jan. 16 and the festival is slated for March 13, 2013. For a complete list of guidelines and more details, please see lasmf.lacity.org.
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Valley Village Neighborhood Council Welcomes its New Board Members
VALLEY VILLAGE - On Wednesday, Oct. 24, Councilmember Paul Krekorian welcomed the seven newly elected members to the Neighborhood Council Valley Village board.
Following September's neighborhood council elections, the new board members, along with the rest of the Council, will assume their roles of representing the many diverse interests of communities and having an advisory role on issues that concern their neighborhood. As he swore in the new board, Councilmember Krekorian thanked them for their continued dedication to the community and for empowering their neighborhoods.
You can see the neighborhood council's full roster of officers and board members, upcoming agenda and other happenings by visiting the NCVV website, www.myvalleyvillage.com.
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Volume 3, Issue 15
October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween!
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cd2.lacity.org
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Hurricane Sandy:
How to Help
The recent devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy has claimed 30 lives and wrought immense damage to the East Coast community. The Red Cross has emergency responders on the ground providing food, shelter and care and further contributions will help that effort. You can click here to donate now.
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Traffic Alert!
Crews from the Bureau of Street Services have started a two-week job to make one of the Valley's main stretches smoother for cars and bikes.
From Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, crews will resurface Laurel Canyon Boulevard, from Magnolia Boulevard to Ventura Boulevard.
Find out more information here.
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To see a complete list of neighborhood council and community meetings, please check out our
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