Gardena District Policing
HISTORY OF DISTRICT POLICING
District policing emphasizes citizen involvement, geographic
responsibility, long-term patrol assignments, participative decision
making and proactive measures. By combining elements of
community-oriented policing that is known for its problem solving
and public partnership approach, along with team policing which
assigns patrol responsibilities according to a specific geographic
area, district policing allows for the deployment of resources and
services in a more efficient way.
The district policing model is particularly suited to identifying and preventing causes of crime according to each community area and is additionally enhanced by neighborhood watch groups and citizen advisory panels that build the capacity of law enforcement through “extra eyes and ears”. At the core of GPD’s mission to improve accountability and to deliver premier services to the community is the Gardena Crime Accountability and Reduction Strategy (G-CARS) that was first introduced in 2005. G-CARS uses real-time crime statistics to detect patterns and high risk locations, or “hot spots”, which require increased police services, conveying the information through reports, maps and 30-day graphical trends.
GPD is able to
integrate the G-GARS philosophy of innovative strategies and
programs, e-policing, customer service, intelligence and crime
statistics with district policing to provide 24/7 coverage in
Gardena’s three geographic districts. Each of the three districts is
managed by a Police Lieutenant, designated as the Area Commander, a
Sergeant, a Patrol Officer, and a Code Enforcement Officer that work
collectively to effectively address and mitigate a broad spectrum of
community issues.
The district
policing approach takes into account the different needs of each
community area, which vary depending on the mix of commercial,
residential and/or industrial uses. Often acting as a liaison to
other City departments or service providers, like the Los Angeles
County Fire Department or a utility company, district police
officers are able to build a bridge between citizens and local
government in a way that brings direct value and resolution to
pressing public safety matters. Opening the lines of communication
and encouraging collaboration with the community, district policing
is about enhanced public safety and sustained trust with law
enforcement, but more significantly it is about building a bright
future for those who live, work and visit Gardena.
Gardena District One - Gardena District Two - Gardena District Three
