Welcome to the Little Tokyo Public Safety Association Koban

Our Mission

About Us

The Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (LTPSA) was founded in 1982 as a response to the crimes that were affecting businesses in the Little Tokyo area. In the early 1990s, local businessmen began patrolling the area to address car burglaries and aggressive panhandling that intimidated customers, tourists, and residents. What started as a patrol of three men, peaked to over fifty volunteers working in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), from First to Fifth Street. Wearing bright green uniformed shirts, they served as the eyes and ears of law enforcement. The Men and Women in Green have become easily recognizable over the years, especially at special events.

In 1996, the LTPSA opened the Koban, located at 307 E. First Street in the heart of historic Little Tokyo. The Koban is an information center and an LAPD Drop-in Center for officers to interview victims, prepare reports, and serve as the headquarters for the volunteer patrol members. This facility is manned y a paid, bilingual staff member as well as volunteers who provide tourist and safety information to visitors and serves as an important link to Little Tokyo throughout Southern California. Because of our long history with public safety concerns, the LTPSA has become the “go to” group for inquiries from the media and law enforcement on Little Tokyo area incidents.

Over the years, the LTPSA has expanded its programs to include safety and first-aid seminars, school and senior’s programs, and we are very proud of our certification as a Red Cross Training Facility. The LTPSA recently coordinate the installation of security cameras around Little Tokyo, which will be monitored by the LAPD. We sponsor cleanup programs with community organizations every year. Visitors can find a safe and clean restroom at the Koban, and community organizations are welcome to use the meeting room. The LTPSA conducts these services and programs and keep the Koban open thanks in part to voluntary membership dues and donations. Visitors and volunteers are always welcome to the Koban. For more information, contact the Koban at 1-213-613-1911.

What is a Koban?

A kōban (交番) is a small neighborhood police station found in Japan. The term is also used to refer to the smallest organizational unit in a modern Japanese Prefectural police department.[1] Small kōban buildings, staffed by uniformed officers at around 6,000 locations all over the country,[2] are the bases for community policing activities which complement the work of larger, central police stations. The officers assigned to kōban belong to Community police affairs sections (地域課, chīki-ka) of police stations (警察署, Keisatsu-sho).[6] They are able to keep a general watch, respond to emergencies, give directions, and otherwise interact with citizens on a more intimate basis than would be the case if they were operating from a more distant station. Although often translated into English as "police box",[7] kōban bear little resemblance to the police boxes formerly found in the UK or the police call boxes formerly found in the US. Nowadays Japan's koban are often known for their quirky styles of architecture: there are koban with owls on their roof, the roof as a spire and koban painted in Mediterranean colors. Koban usually have a red light or a pair of red lights above the doors and the five pointed gold police star or badge. The five pointed star is also seen on cap and shoulder badges on Japanese police uniforms. Source: Wikipedia

Volunteer

The Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (LTPSA) was founded in 1982 in response to crimes that were affecting businesses in the Little Tokyo area. Dressed in green polo shirts, the men and women volunteers of the LTPSA became a common sight throughout Little Tokyo since 1993 and are still visible during Nisei Week, church obon festivals and the annual Tanabata Festival.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, contact the Koban at 1-213-613-1911 or volunteer@littletokyokoban.org.

Past Projects Include:

• Installation of security cameras, keeping the streets clean, managing community beautification projects, and providing safety patrols in and around Little Tokyo.
• In 2011 and 2012, LTPSA’s main focus was on Japan relief efforts and fundraising
• LTPSA oversees crime trends and quality-of-life issue and is the liaison between the LAPD and the Little Tokyo Community.
• Designated by the American Red Cross as a First Responder in emergencies and natural disasters and is an emergency preparedness facility.
• Hosting a "Meet the LAPD" event for local school children, providing fire safety and bike safety events and inviting the Nisei Week Queen each year to walk with them on a patrol.
• Koban is manned by LAPD volunteers who can translate for victims and assist the LAPD in writing police reports.
• Koban volunteers translate for visitors and provide assistance during large community events like Nisei Week, the Tanabata Festival, and the Obon Festival.
• Other opportunities could include making brochures or flyers, updating websites, fundraising, or donating skills or professional expertise in many different areas.

Contact Us

The Little Tokyo Public Safety Association (LTPSA - Koban) is located in the heart of Little Tokyo at the corner of Judge John Aiso Street and E. First Street.

View Map

Our Address:
307 East First Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Center Operating Hours^*:
Monday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Wednesday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Thursday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Currently we are open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will take phone calls and provide service at the front door only. For the protection of the volunteers, the bathrooms are temporarily closed to the public.

(213) 613-1911

FAX: 213-613-0282

info@littletokyokoban.org

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