Los Angeles: Surrounded by students from Para Los Niños School, Chief William Bratton kicked off the LAPD's Annual Angels Community Book & Toy Drive at his monthly Media Availability News Conference on Wednesday morning.

At the news conference, Chief Bratton announced the beginning of the 8th Annual “LAPD Angels Community Book & Toy Drive.”  He encouraged members of our community to donate unwrapped toys or gently used books at any of the Department's 19 community police stations.  “I ask people donating books to write an inspirational message on the inside cover, wishing the child a happy and prosperous New Year,” said Chief Bratton.  

Chief Bratton and female members of the Los Angeles Police Department passed out books provided by Jim Wiatt, CEO of the William Morris Agency and toys provided by JAKKS Pacific Inc. to students from Para Los Niños Charter School.  

Para Los Niños is a non-profit organization whose core services include child development and education, a Charter School, after-school enrichment, youth diversion and delinquency prevention, and youth workforce services. In addition, Para Los Niños offers support to at-risk families, including child abuse prevention and intervention, mental health services and comprehensive family support.

Additionally, several female LAPD officers were present to invite and encourage women to attend the LAPD's Women's Recruitment Seminar taking place Saturday, December 6, 2008, at the Ahmanson Recruit Training Center.  Attendees interested in taking the written entrance exam will have the opportunity to attend an information filled orientation where they can meet with female LAPD officers to ask questions about their career choices and personal experiences as a law enforcement officer.

Chief Bratton also talked about the various community holiday events held within the City of Los Angeles.  On Sunday, December 7th, Central Traffic Division will hold the annual Cops for Tots Car and Motorcycle Show which benefits the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit of the Los Angeles Children's Hospital.

On Saturday, December 13th the LAPD Concert Band and Jim Starr, “The Singing Cop,” will host a holiday concert at the Shrine Auditorium and on Sunday, December 14th, the LAPD Baseball Team and the men and women of Mission Area will hold one of the largest toy giveaways and holiday events in the City, at the
San Fernando Valley Toy Giveaway.  Like last year, more than 10,000 kids and families will be treated to a free lunch, live entertainment, and of course toys provided by our friends at JAKKS Pacific Inc., who over the past five years has donated more than 30,000 toys to kids in need.

For more information on holiday events hosted by the Los Angeles Police Department, please call Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586 or visit www.LAPDOnline.org.