Fictional cop cars take over Hollywood Blvd. – 10-4 that…
Vintage law-enforcement cars from classic TV shows and movies will be the stars this Saturday morning at a Hollywood and Highland gathering near Broderick Crawford’s star on the Walk of Fame.
The event, in its fifth year, is the brainchild of Gary Goltz, a judo sensei and health care industry professional (pictured here in his Chief Mathews costume) who thinks every baby boomer probably feels the way he did about the original "Highway Patrol" TV show, in which Crawford portrayed Mathews. “I don’t know of anyone my age who didn’t rush right home from school, grab a sandwich and watch Chief Dan Mathews out on the street dealing with the bad guys.”
A caravan of TV and movie law enforcement vehicles will join the parade, including several vintage "Adam-12" cars, one of the many Batmobiles, the "Starsky & Hutch" Gran Torino and the "Bullitt" Mustang. They all will be on display at 11 a.m. at Crawford’s star near the Kodak Theatre.
Goltz says the crowd gets bigger each year, so he works closely with the nonfictional local authorities to communicate a more serious message –- traffic safety. “This is more than just a fun day of classic cars. We want to raise awareness that most highway patrolmen who are killed are [slain] by unsafe, reckless drivers who crash into them on the highways while they’re trying to do their job.”
Scheduled speakers include Sheriff Lee Baca, LAPD Chief William Bratton and Kelly Crawford, son of Broderick. "Shotgun" Tom Kelly of K-Earth 101 will play MC.
WHAT: 5th Annual 10-4 Day
WHEN: Sat., Oct. 4.
10:30 a.m. Classic Police Car Parade; 11 a.m. Ceremony
WHERE: Parade begins at LAFD Fire Museum, 1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Ceremony at Broderick Crawford star, 6901 Hollywood Boulevard
... that’s a big 10-4.
-- Joni Gray
Photo by Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times
