SIB Staff

Santa Drops by with Gifts for AbilityFirst Participants in East Los Angeles

Santa’s reindeer took the day off yesterday, and because Santa still needed a ride, one of the helicopters from our air support fleet arrived at the North Pole to assist him in the early delivery of presents to a special group of children.

On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, Aero Bureau personnel flew Santa to the Eugene W. Biscailuz Regional Training Center in East Los Angeles. For the past 11 years, deputies from East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station assisted Santa in bringing Christmas early to children participating in the AbilityFirst East Los Angeles Center program.

With help from AbilityFirst, an organization which offers programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities, deputies were able to give back to their local community by creating a winter wonderland where the kiddies waited for Santa’s arrival.

The event unfolded as Santa and one of his helping elves landed in the helicopter on the tarmac, right in front of the kids who were waiting for them with high anticipation. And, oh, were there miles of smiles! Next, everyone enjoyed an afternoon snack…and then the real fun began! The kids got exclusive access to Santa, with comforting hugs for everyone. Each child received a hand-delivered gift, specially chosen to fit their age and taste. Others who were curious and adventurous got to climb into one of Special Enforcement Bureau’s tactical armored vehicles and inspect the interior.

More than a decade later, this program remains a tradition, thanks to the generous toy donations from the community and East Los Angeles Station deputies. The smiles, squeaks and giggles were the best return for everyone who had a hand in putting it together.

Center Director Monica Alcantar expressed her gratefulness and thanked everyone for giving the kids a day to feel special, which was the exact goal East Los Angeles Station personnel set out to accomplish. She and her staff brought a stack of handwritten thank you cards from the kids, and more stacks of homemade cards with each child’s picture on the front and a sweet, symbolic roll of candy on the inside.

It was a lovely and rewarding afternoon! Commander April Tardy, Central Patrol Division, also attended and shared in the happiness of seeing the smiles, and pure reactions of joy and excitement on the kids’ faces. Here’s to looking forward to next year’s holiday celebration!

AbilityFirst is a nonprofit organization which has provided programs and services to help children and adult with disabilities reach their full potential since 1926.

For more information please contact East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station at (323) 264-4151 or call AbilityFirst at 1-877-768-4600 and click on following link: www.abilityfirst.org

LASD HOST RECOGNIZED IN PARAMOUNT

On December 17, 2019, members of the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and their outreach partners from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) were honored with a commendation from the City of Paramount City Council.

The HOST Team was recognized for conducting the First Responder Homeless Training class for the City of Paramount staff, for conducting multiple joint proactive outreach operations with local non-profit organizations, and for proactively engaging people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect, while addressing public safety concerns and issues in and around the City of Paramount.

CHARGERS HONOR LASD DET. DAN FINN

On Sunday, December 15, 2019, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Detective Dan Finn was honored by the Los Angeles Chargers as one of their Hometown Heroes during their game against the Minnesota Vikings.

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, a student from Saugus High School walked onto campus and shot five classmates, ultimately killing two of them.

That morning, Detective Dan Finn was at Saugus High School dropping off his girlfriend’s son, when he saw a crowd of students running out of the school with a look of terror in their eyes. Without hesitation, Detective Finn immediately ran into the school and asked a student what was happening. “Gunshots on campus!” was all he needed to hear when he made the split-second decision to run onto campus without a second thought.

Detective Finn, along with off-duty LAPD Officer Gus Ramirez and Inglewood Officer Sean Yanez sprang into action and rendered aide to some of the gunshots victims, while also coordinating a safety route for other students to exit the campus without harm.

Without Detective Finn, Officer Ramirez and Officer Yanez’ swift actions, more tragedy could have possibly struck Saugus High School that day.

Sheriff Villanueva was also in attendance to honor Detective Finn for his courage and heroism.

Thank you gentlemen for your bravery and heroic acts! #SaugusStrong

43 CUSTODY ASSISTANTS GRADUATE FROM ACADEMY

On Friday December 13, 2019, a total of 43 recruits lined up at the Eugene Biscailuz Regional Training Center, East Los Angeles in what would be their final platoon formation as academy classmates. After 8 weeks of grueling academy training, the recruits pressed through an equally intense and meticulous formal class inspection by law enforcement executives just before the ceremony.

The ceremony was a formal transformation of academy recruits into Custody Assistant civilian peace officers. Academy Class 102 is made up of 23 female and 20 male graduates.

Academy Class #102 is a largely international collection of backgrounds, reflective of the vast array of cultures found within Los Angeles County. Of the 43 graduating recruits, 2 were born outside the United States; 2 recruits lived abroad in the countries; and 29 recruits speak a language other than English; 14 have a Bachelor’s degree or higher; 5 have Law Enforcement Experience and 15 have Family members in Law Enforcement.

“To Conquer and Correct, Class #102 is here to protect”

Congratulations Academy Class 102 #LASD

(some photos credited to POPA)

LASD 999 FOR KIDS ANNUAL TOY DRIVE

#LASD Special Victims Bureau hosted an amazing 33rd Annual “999 for Kids” Christmas Party with Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services personnel and student volunteers from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM).

The mission: Assist severely disabled and abused children who were victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence. For the last 33 years, children participating in the 999 for Kids program have been treated to a holiday party where they can find joy in a safe environment particularly designed for their happiness and which accommodates any of their special needs.

The Sheriff’s Training and Regional Services (STARS) Center was transformed into a holiday wonderland where over 500 children and 350 parents were invited to the Christmas party. At the makeshift North Pole Village, the children received toys, a meal from McDonald’s fast food restaurants, and participated in activities. They visited the petting zoo, an inflatable jumper, AKC Community Canines, “Bella” the horse, face-painting and much much more.

There were snowball fights and visits to Santa’s toy workshop to make personalized holiday crafts, and take a picture with Santa Claus.

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising donated clothing, accessories, school supplies, and books to each participating family from their FIDM Scholarship Foundation’s store, located in downtown Los Angeles.

This awesome event wouldn’t be possible without the amazing volunteers helping us to make it special for everyone that attended.