LA County Sheriff’s Transit Bureau North Captain Jennifer Bateman was joined by Jolly Ole’ Saint Nick and his Elves to bring a little joy to the children at the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, Pediatric wards on Thursday December 22, 2016. Transit Bureau North is part of the Sheriff’s Transit Policing Division that provides police services to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) buses, trains, and properties. Many of the families of the children hospitalized at Kaiser Permanente use Metro to get to and from work, school, or their doctors’ appointments.
Long time Sheriff’s Security Assistant/Fare Inspector Maria Carlin, led the effort to get as many toy donations as possible. This is the second year in what’s becoming an annual tradition with the Deputies and Professional Staff at the Transit Bureau North, to hand out toys and gifts on the pediatric wards of the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center located on the iconic Sunset Boulevard. The entire pediatric patient care team for the medical center has been very receptive and supportive of the Sheriff’s participation, due to the large number of children that have to spend the holidays hospitalized.
Support for the toy drive by Transit Bureau North personnel was overwhelming, with hundreds of toys and gifts collected, but how to distribute them? Enter Santa, who was actually Central Operations Bureau Trainee Deputy Michael Cortez dressed as Santa Claus. (see attached photos) The children and their parents lit up as Santa and his Elves would enter their rooms with a believable “Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas”. Medical Center staff and Transit Sheriff’s personnel alike were visibly moved by the reactions of the children. Some who had not had a reason to smile in a long time.
Transit Bureau North Captain Jennifer Bateman, who brought her own daughters to help share the spirit of the season, was also touched by the outpouring of gratitude. “We’ve been involved with Kaiser Permanente for several years now and appreciate the opportunity they give us to bring some joy to the children and their families that have to spend the holidays in the Medical Center. Although It’s our primary business to keep Metro patrons safe when they ride the buses and trains, it’s a very special feeling when we can make even one kid smile and hopefully forget where they are and why they’re there. I’m so proud of my staff and how they’ve given so much of themselves without hesitation. We are all truly part of the community today!”
So many toys and gifts had been collected by Transit Bureau North personnel, that there was enough left to donate to the Sheriff’s “Stuff a Chopper” Challenge, where Transit Bureau North’s toys, along with donations from the rest of the department and community filled more than 3 Sheriff’s Helicopters, including 2 of the Super Puma Helicopters used as the Sheriff’s Department Air Rescue 5. These helicopters are almost twice the size of a normal police “chopper”. CHALLENGE COMPLETED!!!
You can donate to help improve the lives of children year round. Visit www.sheriffsyouthfoundation.org and find out how to support the many worthy causes the Sheriff’s Department partners with to help shape the lives of tomorrow leaders.
If you want to report crime or a law enforcement issue while riding Metro or Metrolink, please call the LASD Transit Policing Division at (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 MOBILE APP” on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
For information regarding how to ride Metro including fares, schedules, station information and locations, you can call (323) GO METRO (466-3876), or go to http://www.metro.net/ For Metrolink train information, please call (800) 371-LINK (5465), or go to the Metrolink website http://www.metrolinktrains.com/
Please remember, if you SEE SOMETHING that you believe is suspicious or doesn’t look right to you, SAY SOMETHING by calling: (888) 950-SAFE (7233), or your local police department. You can also use the Transit Watch LA App, to report crime or advise of something or someone suspicious on the transit system. The App can be downloaded at the Apple App Store, or on Google Play for Android Devices. http://transitwatchla.org/ (remember though, calling is always best!!)
To receive detailed, up-to-date information directly from the LASD via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com and register for "LASD-Transit Policing Division HQ, Los Angeles County Sheriff" and also register for your local LASD station area. Or, text “LASD Transit HQ” to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply, depending on your calling plan.
Written by / Media Inquiries:
Ramon Montenegro, L.E.T.
Transit Policing Division – Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
(213) 922-3649
24 Hr.: (888) 950-SAFE (7233)
Email: [email protected]
Transit Watch LA website: http://www.transitwatchla.org/
LASD website: www.lasd.org
Twitter: @TransitLASD http://twitter.com/TransitLASD
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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
