South Los Angeles pool opens with extra police patrols

The 109th Street Swimming Pool, located between the Nickerson Gardens and Jordan Downs housing projects in South Los Angeles, opened today for the summer season with stepped up police patrols. 

Last year, during a heat wave, Los Angeles Recreation and Parks officials shut down the pool after violence broke out when a group of young men took over the pool deck, attacked the manager and threw him, a lifeguard and a locker room attendant into the water.

The incident also led Yvonne B. Burke, the former Los Angeles County Supervisor for the 2nd District, which includes Watts, to dedicate $331,000 in funds to increase police patrol in the area.

Olivia Kelly, communications director for councilwoman Janice Hahn, said community leaders and officers with the Los Angeles Police Department were stepping up patrols to avoid a repeat of last year’s violence. 

At least four unarmed security guards have been hired to control unruly crowds as well as two LAPD officers. The Watts Gang Force -- a coalition of community leaders and representatives of neighborhood organizations -- will also take part in patrolling the swimming pool.

-- Ruben Vives