The public safety union representing Los Angeles Police officers has launched a community news and information Web site is fostering greater community engagement, according to the group.

PublicSafetyFirst.com is a community news and information service that features update-to-date crime alerts based on LAPD data analyzed by the Los Angeles Times. It was launched by the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL).

PublicSafetyFirst.com sends e-mail messages a list of over 360,000 Los Angeles households in neighborhoods experiencing spikes in crime. The messages display the number and types of crimes on the rise in specific neighborhoods, and link to the Times' neighborhood crime-alerts page. Residents not currently receiving these messages can sign up through the Public Safety First website .

"As a result of our outreach with this new service and the crime prevention links on the Public Safety First site, community members have another resource to report crimes and offer tips to help LAPD officers with their investigations," says Paul M. Weber, president of LAPPL. "We appreciate the community's support and are pleased that PublicSafetyFirst.com and the neighborhood crime alerts have been so well received."

The Web site includes some content available in Spanish and features coverage of local, state and national budgetary issues, and information about local elections, neighborhood safety, community organizations and upcoming events.

As part of the LAPPL's ongoing public education campaign, the Web site also advocates for "a fully funded Los Angeles Police Department." A list of City Hall officials is also available so residents can express their concerns about Los Angeles public safety and voice their support for LAPD officers.

The LAPPL is seeking to strengthen its partnership with the community and make it clear to city leaders that public safety needs to remain their number one priority, according to Weber.

"The League is reinforcing its commitment to the community through innovative programs and increased communication. Particularly in tough economic times, it is vital that Los Angeles residents stress to their elected leaders the importance of making public safety priority number one in the city's budget process," says Weber. "By providing residents with relevant information and facilitating a dialogue with elected city officials, we believe the LAPPL is doing its part toward ensuring Los Angeles avoids making ill-advised cuts to the public safety budget."