EDITORIAL BARRING LIQUOR.

RESIDENTS in Van Nuys got a little present just in time for Christmas - no more alcohol sales at an Arco service station in a high-crime area.

Credit goes to Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Association, to Xavier Flores of Pueblo Y Salud and to other community leaders whose dogged determination forced Arco to fulfill a long-standing promise to limit alcohol sales in one of the Valley's most crime-plagued areas.

Arco had agreed in 1997 to limit liquor sales to one store when plans were unveiled for the former General Motors site, The Plant. But the promise was forgotten when the company was sold to British Petroleum.

Outraged by the lack of corporate responsibility, residents launched an assault on the company - and won.

BP made good on the promise in response to pressure from Schultz and Flores and support from Deputy Mayor Rocky Delgadillo and state Sen. Richard Alarcon, who was the councilman for the area in 1997.

BP deserves applause for acting responsibly and being a good corporate neighbor.

But the biggest pat on the back goes to residents who are working hard to reduce crime and improve their neighborhoods.

Residents can make a difference.

Hope is a great message at Christmas.