Paul Krekorian's Newsletter: Summer Night Lights, Firefighters, Helicopters & More

Summer Night Lights Returns for its 5th Year

   NORTH HOLLYWOOD , an annual citywide initiative that keeps selected parks open until midnight, returned for its fifth year Saturday. The program kicked off in 32 parks throughout Los Angeles, including at Valley Plaza Park, where events will be held throughout the summer.

"Valley Plaza Park has been an integral part of our community. But, unfortunately, it's also been a place where gangs have taken over and endangered our neighborhood. Summer Night Lights is the kind of a program that is exactly what we need to steer our youth away from those influences and give them access to the many positive activities these parks will provide. At a time when the city is cutting back its budget and having fewer opportunities for youth, we're able to bring Summer Night Lights to Valley Plaza Park and 31 others throughout the city and, with it, more opportunities." 

Since its inception five years ago, Summer Night Lights - and its mission to keep parks open during the peak hours of gang activity with free food and expanded programming - has helped uplift the community.

In 2011, gang-related crime in parks where Summer Night Lights took place fell by 40%; gang-related homicides dropped by 57% and gun shots were reduced by 55%, according to the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

The 24 Summer Night Lights locations last year were visited by about 710,000 residents, an increase of 260% from 2010 and 382,000 free meals were served while 1,000 kids were hired for the summer.

At Valley Plaza Park, 17,966 community members participated throughout last summer, while 57 residents were hired for various programs. At the park, gang-related crime was dramatically reduced by 73% while aggravated assault was nearly wiped away, falling by 85% at the park, which was the first time the program was held there.

For more information and to check other locations, click here.

The LAFD Wants You! 

LOS ANGELES - This Fall, the Los Angeles Fire Department will be accepting applications to become a Los Angeles City Firefighter.

"This doesn't happen often, so when our LAFD has hiring opportunities I would encourage everyone to look into the possibility of joining the best fire department in the world," Councilmember Paul Krekorian said.

The LAFD serves the second largest city in America and is renowned as one of the top firefighting agencies across the globe. To join, candidates must pass a series of agility and written tests, in addition to a thorough interview process.

Find more information about the department and application requirements by visiting the LAFD's job website, www.joinlafd.org.

FAA to Brief Residents on Options to Quiet Helicopter Noise

 VAN NUYS - The Federal Aviation Administration, with Rep. Howard Berman, is slated to hold a community hearing in August for Valley residents concerned about the rise of helicopter noise throughout the Valley.

The hearing is not yet scheduled.

It comes as a result of an increasing number of complaints by residents worried that helicopter operators increasingly deviate from prescribed flight paths, travelling instead over residential neighborhoods creating incessant buzzing on their routes.

In May, Berman, along with area legislators, wrote to the FAA, asking the agency to hold the meeting to "identify specific concerns with helicopter operations including noise [and] evaluate options that would respond to identified concerns including, but not limited to routes, operating altitudes and hovering practices."

"This is not meant to be a substitute for further action to curb excessive helicopter noise in L.A." Berman said. "[This is] the first step in efforts to enact helicopter flight restrictions in L.A."

Website Resources

LOS ANGELES - With the shifting council district boundaries, your Council District 2 website - cd2.lacity.org - has updated content to help you stay connected. 

Peruse the new council district boundaries on the "District 2" page. The new "Resources" page lists parks and services available in the newly redistricted area, along with emergency services that cater to the East Valley.

Under the "Neighborhood Councils" section, you can find information on which councils serve your area.

Use the updated, interactive "Maps" section to locate all the services in your area in CD2.  

To stay up-to-date on all the things happening in CD2, you can also follow us on Twitter, at Twitter.com/CD2news -@CD2News - or join our Facebook Group - Facebook.com/groups/cd2news.

DWP Crews Fix Water Main Rupture in Valley Village

LADWP working to repair the damaged water main in Valley Village.

VALLEY VILLAGE - A broken water main in Valley Village was fixed by the Department of Water & Power in a matter of hours last week. At around 3 p.m., July 3, crews responded to calls of a broken water main on Colfax Avenue just south of Huston Street.

Water and Power workers quickly stopped the overflowing water and excavated the damaged pipe to begin repairs on the cast iron pipe. Water supply in the immediate vicinity trickled to a halt for the few hours it took crews to repair the damage.  

No damage to nearby homes or businesses was reported and water operations resumed normal operations by early evening.

Happy 236th Birthday America!

LOS ANGELES - Wednesday marked more than two centuries of American independence and people all across the east and northeast San Fernando Valley celebrated the occasion.

With clear skies and temperatures reaching 80 degrees, the Sunland-Tujunga Rotary Club celebrated its 30th annual Fourth of July parade along Foothill Boulevard. The procession featured councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Richard Alarcon, as well as Rep. Adam Schiff and local notables.

In Studio City, the community was once again treated to the biggest fireworks display in the San Fernando Valley. The 14th annual festival, hosted by the Studio City Chamber of Commerce, drew ohhs and aahs from the crowd at the CBS Studio Center.

Neighbors in Valley Village, other pockets of Studio City and throughout CD2, Los Angeles and the country also came together to celebrate America's 236th birthday.