The Longwood Area Neighborhood Association (LANA) had its first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 lockdown, with a twist – “Lemonade with the LAPD.” Instead of its regularly scheduled second Saturday morning of the month meeting, the gathering took place at Memorial Park last Wednesday evening with officers from LAPD as a special guests.
“We wanted to come together again and do it as safely as possible. We also hoped to get some residents for whom our weekend meetings are not convenient, ” said LANA President Daphne Brogdon Peel, a professional chef, who helped organize the meeting serving sandwiches, tea and lemonade. Â Fellow organizer Johana Schor said this one went so well, LANA plans to try more meetings in the park in the future.
LAPD Wilshire Division Captain Sonia Monico spoke to the organization, which next year will celebrate its 40th year anniversary. Senior Lead Officer Hebel Rodriguez also talked to the community at length about crime prevention. He said he was proud that so many LANA residents had turned out for the LAPD program to mark catalytic converters just at thefts of these devices is rising. According to Officer Rodriguez, the converters are stolen for their minerals and can sell for as much $800 on the black market.
“This is a great neighborhood because people are involved and paying attention,” said SLO Rodriguez.
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