Mayor Hahn, Council President Padilla, Law Enforcement Officials To Provide Comment at LAX Master Plan Hearing Regarding Safety and Security

(Los Angeles, California -- October 29, 2001) Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn, Los Angeles City Council President Alex Padilla and senior representatives of Los Angeles law enforcement agencies, including Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks, Acting Chief R. Doyle Campbell of the Special Operations Division of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and LAX Airport Police Chief Bernard J. Wilson, are expected to provide comments about security and safety at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at the first of six Master Plan hearings Tuesday night.

These officials will be joined by Los Angeles business leaders, labor union leaders, and representatives of airline pilots and air traffic controllers at the hearing that begins at 6 p.m. at Luminarias Restaurant, 3500 Ramona Boulevard in Monterey Park. Public comments at these hearings will help Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) develop a new safety and security alternative for the LAX Master Plan as outlined earlier this month by Mayor Hahn.

The hearings will be conducted jointly by LAWA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Mayor Hahn, who favors a regional solution to meeting future air traffic needs at LAWA’s other commercial airports, Palmdale Regional and Ontario International, as well as other airports, is encouraging people to attend the hearings and take part in the process about the future of LAX.

In addition to hearing from top law enforcement officials and their views on safety and security, business and union leaders are expected to address LAX’s role as a major engine behind the region’s economy. Representatives of the Los Angeles Visitors and Convention Bureau, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, and other groups are expected to speak on the future of LAX and its role in meeting the region’s economic needs.

The hearing is scheduled to end at 9 p.m. Other hearings are scheduled as follows:

November 3, 2001
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Los Angeles High School
4650 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 937-3210

November 5, 2001
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Palmdale Regional Airport
41000 20th St. East
Palmdale, CA, 93550
(661) 266-7602

November 7, 2001
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ontario Airport Marriott
2200 E. Holt Blvd.
Ontario, CA 91761
(909) 975-4106

November 8, 2001
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Airtel Plaza Hotel
7277 Valjean Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 997-7676

LAWA also operates Van Nuys Airport, a general aviation facility, in addition to LAX, Ontario International and Palmdale Regional airports.

(WA - 10/29/01)