David Berger (attorney)

David Berger is a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles, California.

From 2002 to 2004, Berger was assigned to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in Lancaster, California where he introduced and coordinated a controversial anti-crime program called "LAN-CAP," an acronym derived from the program's formal title; Lancaster Community Appreciation Project.

Aspects of LAN-CAP attracted national attention as wells as both praise and criticism. One of Berger's proposals banned parolees and probationers from a particular drug-infested neighborhood. The novel nature of this approach to crime prevention prompted CNN's American Morning to broadcast a debate between Berger and a representative from the ACLU in which Berger admitted being primarily concerned with protecting his city, and less concerned if criminals simply moved to other cities. Lou Dobbs interviewed liberal democrat and then-USC Law Professor, Erwin Chemerinsky on Berger's plan. Chemerinsky expressed concern that criminals might not be able go to their jobs or visit restaurants in the area under the proposed ordinance, however, that concern was answered by Berger stating that the area concerned contained no restaurants or other commercial enterprises, apart from the illegal sale of narcotics.

Despite the civil liberties concerns raised by opponents, LAN-CAP was passed by the Lancaster City Council and implemented. To date, no civil liberties complaints have been made.

In May 2004, with LAN-CAP firmly established, funding for Berger's position lapsed and he was transferred to the Major Fraud Division of the Office, however, the LAN-CAP project continued unabated thanks to local support. Lancaster Sheriff's Station continues to fulfill the goals of LAN-CAP with eight deputies and a sergeant permanently assigned to LAN-CAP.

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