West L.A. police host a haunted house for kids
Outside the West Los Angeles police station, officers spent a sunny Halloween afternoon transforming part of a parking lot into a haunted house for local children.
The goal: To make the LAPD a little less spooky to kids.
The event -- a first for the police station -- runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and is expected to draw about 200 children and their families. Admission is free.
"We’re trying to build a relationship with the community and the kids," Sgt. Mark Durrell said. "We have fun; we’re human too."
Outside the station off Iowa and Butler avenues, a giant purple-and-black inflatable spider swayed atop a patrol car, its eight legs dangling down the vehicle’s sides.
Inside the haunted house, maze walls smeared with fake blood separate a series of macabre scenes including a playpen full of bloodied stuffed animals and a zombie’s feast of bones and dismembered limbs. The living room features an old TV that plays nothing but static for a slumbering zombie.
Most of the materials in the house were gathered from nearby alleys, said Officer Molly Brenner, who designed the maze.
-- Robert Faturechi in West Los Angeles
EDITOR'S PICKS:
What a great story, but no pictures? This is disappointing-maybe you could gather some from the LAPD and scan them. I was happy to read this and expected visual-with the story.
Posted by: Budget cuts | October 31, 2009 at 11:59 PM
I think this was a great idea ....I believe Law enforcment could benefit from more of a friendlier relationship with citizens instead of always rushing to Arrest or ticket people all the time ....
Posted by: Hope for a better tomorrow | November 01, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I find this article rather amusing. For several years, the officers of 77th Street have sponsored a community event during the Halloween weekend, where a carnival and haunted house is held for the children and community members of south central Los Angeles. And nothing is ever mentioned within the LA Times. But yet, when an event is held in affluent area of Los Angeles does it make headlines. It shows where the priorities lie within the LA Times.
Posted by: JC | November 02, 2009 at 01:22 PM