Media Availability

Valley Traffic Division Officers Empower Women of Domestic Violence by
Providing Holiday Gifts and Cheer

WHAT:
Media Availability

WHEN:
Wednesday, December 11, 2013   
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

WHERE:
Valley Traffic Division
7870 Nollan Place
Panorama City, California 91402

WHO:
Captain Maureen Ryan, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division (VTD)
        
WHY:
To discuss the creative and innovative way to share the joy of the holiday season with mothers and their children in need.

On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, officers from VTD transported 22 female residents from the Good Shepherd Shelter to the Airtel Plaza Hotel for a day of holiday celebration and cheer.  

The ladies were first greeted by LAPD Operations-Valley Bureau Commander Jon Peters, VTD Commanding Officer Captain Maureen Ryan, representatives from event sponsors Hammer Toyota, Airtel Plaza Hotel, Valley Traffic Advisory Council, as well an officer dressed as Santa Claus in his sleigh.  The sleigh was comprised of LAPD motorcycle officers lined in pairs followed by a decorated black and white police car.  

The ladies were also treated to lunch hosted by the Airtel Plaza Hotel then given the opportunity to select multiple toys for each of their children.  After the ladies selected the toys for their children, Captain Ryan and other VTD officers helped to wrap     the many gifts.  According to Police Officer Kevin Vanklavern “It was important for our guests to feel empowered by placing the gifts under their own tree.  It’s so exciting to know that their children will be able to wake up Christmas morning and have gifts to open from their mothers and not from members of the police department or anyone else.â€

VISUALS:
DVDs which include “B-roll†of the holiday event will be distributed at the Media Availability.

CONTACT:
For more information, please call Police Officer Kevin Vanklavern, VTD Community Traffic Services Unit at 818644-8066.