La Verne PD Asks for Public's Help to Give Back to the Community

Saturday’s Walk With A Cop event in La Verne is much more than a fundraiser.

The event welcomes children to learn about the officers who patrol the town and the department’s history. It is also a chance to inspire the community to support the programs conducted by the La Verne Police Officers Association that include an annual Christmas Basket program for needy families.

“This is breaking ground for us,” said La Verne Police Sgt. David Mortazavi, spokesman LVPOA said about the event. “We’re putting ourselves out there for this.”

Walk with a Cop runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 18 at Bonita High School's Glenn Davis Stadium.

For a $25 donation per family, children get to choose an officer to walk them show them items that show some of the department’s history. Children will get to check out the department’s vehicles, and “train” like an officer using Nerf Blasters. They will also get to run through an obstacle course created with youngsters in mind.

Entertainment is scheduled, officials said. There will also be a raffle in which the grand prize is a ride to school in the Chief of Police’s patrol car. Anyone who registers by Wednesday is guaranteed a goodie bag, La Verne officials said.

The fundraising aspect is important, Mortazavi said. Donations toward the various yearly charitable efforts held by the department have been down recently. Last year, LVPOA members paid $2,000 out of pocket to pay off the cost of the Christmas Baskets not covered by donations, making it crucial to pick up fundraising for their other causes that include supporting a Fallen Officers fund and Boy Scouts.

Equally important is raising awareness about the department’s history, the sergeant said. It is one of the oldest departments in the area unfortunately, in the 60’s, several historical items that should have been saved were instead discarded, Mortazavi said.

Anyone interesting in attending or even just sending a donation in support may send a check, payable to LVPOA, to the Police Department at 2061 Third St., La Verne, CA 91750.

For more information, officers encourage people to call (909) 964-0422.