On Thursday March 30, Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson hosted a meet and greet for South Los Angeles stakeholders and Deputy Chief Phil Tingirides to introduce the Deputy Chief and to discuss shifting policing strategies in South Los Angeles.
“We are shifting the paradigm of policing in South Los Angeles, from suppression to a community-centered policing strategy,” said Councilmember Harris-Dawson. “We are committed to increasing safety across our communities, but we will not approach it with the same tactics that have created fear, division, and mistrust in communities of color. Community- policing is one creative strategy that is based primarily on relationships and accountability. I know Deputy Chief Tingirides is committed to our communities, our residents and the community policing model.”
Deputy Chief Phil Tingirides is the Commanding Officer of Operations-South Bureau overseeing South Los Angeles. Tingirides began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department in February 1980. His First assignment was in Southeast Area. Over the next 27 years he worked assignments in Patrol, Vice, Metropolitan Division, Gangs, Detectives, and Administrative positions.
The meet and greet also served as an introduction to the expansion of the Community Safety Partnership into the Harvard Park Neighborhood. The Community Safety Partnership (CSP), a relationship-based policing strategy, was founded Watts and reduced violent crime and arrests by 50%. In contrast to traditional enforcement and suppression strategies, the CSP prioritizes building respect and trust between residents and the police. Police officers in the CSP are given 40 hours of training from the Urban Peace Institute, founded by noted police reform leader and civil rights activist Connie Rice. The CSP project will be located at Jackie Tatum/Harvard Recreation Center, in a South Los Angeles neighborhood that has been devastated by homicides and violent crime.
Co-hosting the event was Karim Webb, Owner Buffalo Wild Wings on Crenshaw Boulevard, and an advocate for business leader’s roles in creating jobs and building stronger communities. “I have felt the relationship between our community and LAPD strengthen over the past few years,” said Webb. “The confidence Councilman Harris-Dawson has in Deputy Chief Tingirides gives comfort to business owners like me who depend upon Peace Officers and community members to ensure folks feel secure shopping and dining in South LA.” Webb also discussed how investing in residents, as workers, is a critical role for business owners and that strong employees can create a cascade effect, strengthening communities and reducing crime.
