A.V. CRIME-FIGHTERS ARE HERE TO STAY.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN

Staff Writer

PALMDALE -- Antelope Valley deputies have been telling anyone who'll listen that an unprecedented crime-fighting effort unleashed three weeks ago is part of an ongoing effort that won't go away anytime soon.

In a meeting last week of high-ranking Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials, the operation was given an official title suggesting they aren't kidding.

Law enforcement officials are now under instructions to call the effort the "Antelope Valley Crime-Fighting Initiative."

"This is going to be a long-term effort, and people are going to get used to hearing about it," said Palmdale station Lt. Bobby Denham, who heads the operation.

The name sends a message to the public that the program is ongoing, and that it features a layered strategy that also includes engaging the public, Denham said.

Saturation and targeted patrols have produced more than 200 arrests since varying numbers of out-of-town High-Impact Team deputies began flooding the streets of Lancaster and Palmdale on March 20.

Denham said the initiative will include the unincorporated regions of Littlerock, Lake Los Angeles and Quartz Hill.

Sheriff's deputies will conduct door-to-door surveys seeking public input starting this week. Deputies also will be gathering public input during a meeting starting at 9 a.m. Saturday on Fifth Street East and Avenue Q-3.

Law enforcement officials will conduct a similar survey in Lancaster later this month, Denham said.

Denham said last week's three-day saturation patrol in Palmdale produced 105 arrests -- 27 for felonies and 78 on misdemeanor charges -- and 74 citations. In three weeks since the initiative began, HIT deputies made 237 arrests.

In last week's HIT patrol, 14 gang members were arrested and 13 vehicles were seized, Denham said. He said it was not known if any of the gang members were "shot-callers" that law enforcement officials typically covet.

A woman in possession of a brick of cocaine with a $4,000 estimated street value and $3,000 in cash was among 23 arrests made on drug charges.

Denham said the operation will target a 10-square block location in an unspecified portion of the Antelope Valley this week.

Denham said other components of the initiative, and the Partners for a Better Palmdale Program, which includes after-school programs, are essential, too.

"When the community is involved, that's when we see long-term positive results," Denham said.

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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