City Attorney Mike Feuer - File photo by Andy HolzmanLos Angeles Daily News

The Neighborhood Prosecutors program puts city prosecutors out into neighborhoods to address criminal problems like drug sales, prostitution, illegal dumping, graffiti, and street racing before they grow into more serious offenses and erode the quality of life in our neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Prosecutors are embedded in the community, working closely with schools, neighborhood councils, homeowner and residents associations, chambers of commerce and other civic organizations. The program was curtailed in 2010 as part of citywide budget cuts, but it’s about to make a comeback.

City Attorney Mike Feuer has just announced that he’s doubling the number of Neighborhood Prosecutors, from 8 to 16, and says he will soon expand it to 21. “Neighborhood Prosecutors are community problem solvers and make a real difference in people’s daily lives,” said Feuer. The 16 Neighborhood Prosecutors will hold “Meet Your Neighborhood Prosecutor Forums” throughout the city.

There is one tomorrow, June 4, at 6:30pm at the Community Coalition, 8101 S. Vermont Ave. See below for other meetings in the near future.

The Neighborhood Prosecutors as assigned to LAPD Divisions (Newly assigned NPs in bold):

Raffy Astvasadoorian, West Valley Division

Alvan Arzu, Southwest Division

Susan Chung, Foothill Division

Verónica de la Cruz-Robles, Olympic Division

Ayelet Feiman, Mission Division

Tamar Galatzan, Van Nuys and North Hollywood Divisions

Cynthia Gonzalez, Hollenbeck Division

Lauren Halligan, Harbor Division

Kurt Knecht, Central Division

Jackie Lawson, Hollywood Division

Claudia Martin, West Los Angeles and Pacific Divisions

Karine Philips, Topanga Division

Gabrielle Porter Taylor, Northeast Division

Erika Sandoval, Newton Division

Bethelwel Wilson, 77th  Street Division

Mehrnoosh Zahiri, Wilshire Division

Upcoming Meetings:

Wednesday, June 18th, 6:30 p.m.

Canoga Park High School

6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Tuesday, June 24th, 6:30 p.m.

Port of Los Angeles Administration Building

425 S. Palos Verdes Street

San Pedro

Thursday, July 10th, 6:30 p.m.

Goodwill Industries

3150 N. San Fernando Road

Glassell Park