Hosted by Police And Community Together (PACT), a partnership between the police station and a group of civic-minded citizens, the fundraiser will include a cocktail hour at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm, finishing off with entertainment, dancing, and a silent auction at 8 pm.
The ultimate objective of this event is to raise funds for the police station, particularly its West L.A. Law Enforcement Cadet Program.
“Each of the 21 LAPD locations have a Cadet Program,” Capt. Evangelyn Nathan of the West L.A. Community Police Station said. “The Cadet Program is divided into two groups: the junior cadets, for eight to 12 year olds, and the regular cadets, for 13 to 20 year olds.”
There are 54 active regular cadets at the West L.A. Community Police Station.
The LAPD Cadet Program was developed to teach leadership skills, instill self-discipline, and emphasize the importance of academic excellence to the youth participants.
The program seeks to recruit young men and women and assist in building positive relationships with law enforcement officers as well as partaking in community service.
“It’s designed to help kids develop self-esteem and become community-minded,” Capt. Nathan added. “They’re encouraged to stay out of gangs and off of drugs.”
The tasks and activities that the cadets participate in include recycling duties (in which the youth assemble boxes to be placed at police stations, gather the materials, and take them to recycle centers), maintaining a “snack shack,” and participating in “Friday night walks” at Westfield Century City.
“A few cadets and some police officers walk through the mall, looking for any suspicious behavior,” Capt. Nathan explained. “Usually though, it’s simply their presence that prevents anything from potentially happening. The cadets are, of course, completely safe with the [accompanying] police officer, and the mall donates a sum to the program in exchange for the walks.”
The Cadet Program is not funded by the city; rather, PACT has helped sustain the program by providing annual financial support that go toward the cadets’ recreational trips, summer education, and scholarships. PACT also donates vital materials to the West L.A. station.
“Some of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be used for much needed equipment for the police station, whether it’s for bikes or for printers and copiers,” Capt. Nathan said.
The funds will benefit the Cadet Program and help provide college scholarships opportunities as well.
The special guest attendees are standing hand in hand with PACT.
“Sharon Stone is very supportive, which has helped push this event forward,” Capt. Nathan said. “This is the first year that we’ve tried this fundraise on this scale.”
Joining Sharon Stone are former NFL player Rod Martin, actor Jimmy Smits, and actress Wanda de Jesus. Entertainment will be provided by DW3 and the LA Love Band.
Tickets are priced at $250 for individuals, $475 for couples, $3,500 for an eight-person table (Century Park VIP package), $4,000 for a 10-person table (Constellation VIP package), and $5,000 for a 12-person table (Avenue of the Stars VIP package).
The West Los Angeles Community Police Station provides service to a diverse population of over 228,000, with the combined business and residential population rising to about half a million people throughout the day, largely due to the educational/professional institutes in the vicinity (including UCLA).
Out of the 21 LAPD stations, the West Los Angeles station is responsible for the most number of square miles, serving neighborhoods including but not limited to Beverlywood, Brentwood, Century City, Cheviot Hills, Pacific Palisades, Sawtelle, and Westwood. The West L.A. station is located at 1663 Butler Ave.
The fundraiser will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, at 2025 Avenue of the Stars in Century City.
For more information on the West L.A. Night Fundraiser, call 310.444.0753 or visit westlanight.com.
