POLICE HIT CRIMINAL HOT SPOT.

Byline: - Jason Kandel

NORTH HILLS - The weekly LAPD Zero Tolerance Task Force cracked down on drug dealers, speeders, street vendors and other lawbreakers Thursday in an area known as the Parthenia corridor.

Dozens of specialized officers and a team of traffic cops hit the streets in the area bounded by Nordhoff Street, Roscoe Boulevard, Lindley Avenue and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, during a 15-hour period.

``There's a fairly high amount of vehicle traffic in the area. We've got a lot of businesses,'' said LAPD Sgt. Loren Farell, the Devonshire Division watch commander. ``It's a heavy commuter area.''

The push is part of an effort by the Valley's top cop, Deputy Chief Ronald Bergmann, to cut crime in some of the Valley's most dangerous neighborhoods. The Parthenia corridor has several criminal problems including drug dealing, vandalism, illegal street vending, loitering and a litany of traffic violations, police said.

The LAPD has hoped that the Task Force will help improve the quality of life in Valley communities, and at the same time help weed out serious criminals. Every person that is stopped and questioned, whether it be for a traffic violation or suspected gang activity, is checked for warrants, police said.

On a rotational basis, the Zero Tolerance Task Force hits hot spots across the Valley, in areas chosen by division commanders.