Police Vehicles and History Brings La Verne Resident to Bonita

Several dozen children got a chance to play cops and a little bit of robbers and got a lesson on the history of the La Verne Police Department during the first Walk With a Cop event held Saturday.

Hosted by the La Verne Police Officers Association, the event was held on the athletic fields at Bonita High School. Several smiling youngsters also got to see patrol cars and a SWAT vehicle up close, run an obstacle course and pretend to “shoot” cartoon-like targets with Nerf blasters.

The target gallery was, of course, one of 10-year-old Erika Daniels favorite activities that day.   “It was really fun,” she said. “I also liked walking the (police) dog. He’s so cute.”

The youngster and her parents, mom Cris Daniels, 47, and Rodney Daniels, 49, spent much of the morning at the event enjoying the events and the food.   “The history is great and the people are super,” Cris Daniels said. The city’s police department has made it a point to be involved with the children through the schools, Rodney Daniels said.

“After the school shooting (in Newtown) they came out to visit the schools and they talked to us, made us feel comfortable and safe,” Rodney Daniels said. So it was no surprise to see the effort poured into Saturday’s event, he added.  

Sgt. David Mortazavi, president of the La Verne Police Officers Association, spearheaded the effort with help from the La Verne City Council. They were able to bring My Delight Cupcakery, a food truck featuring gourmet cupcakes, and an old time “jail” where families could have their pictures taken in the traditional striped prisoner garb.

“We’ve had a steady stream of people coming through,” said Mortazavi. They have plans to add more to the next Walk With a Cop event.   “Maybe we can have some horses and officers,” he said.

Walk with a Cop was a multipurpose event. This time, it only was a way to connect with the community and give the children a positive connection with the department. It’s also a way for the department to reconnect with its past.   Members of the department in the 60’s mistakenly discarded items that should have been preserved as part of the department’s history, Mortazavi said.

The event was also a fundraiser. Money raised would be used for various charitable ventures including a Christmas Food Basket program that benefits more than 100 families in need, officials said.

“This money does not go to the police department,” Mayor Don Kendrick told a crowd during the event raffle drawing. He attended the event with councilwoman Donna Redman. “It does not go to the police association; it does to start with but it will eventually go back to the community and those people in need.”

Anyone who was unable to attend but would like to donate toward the food baskets or any of the La Verne Police Officer Association’s charity events, can send checks payable to LVPOA, to the Police Department at 2061 Third St., La Verne, CA 91750.

For more information call (909) 964-0422.