Los Angeles: Officers of the LAPD Mounted Platoon have created the "Mini Mounties Program", approved by Chief Bratton, wherein mounted officers accompany students from the Ninth Street Elementary School, located in the "skid row"/homeless mission sector of downtown Los Angeles, to various Southern California entertainment venues. On March 23, 2005, from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon, Metro Mounted officers will accompany eight students to the Aquarium of the Pacific, followed with lunch provided by Quiznos sandwiches.

The objective of the program is to further develop a relationship between the public and the LAPD, providing positive Police interaction with an important young segment of our community. Many of the children, from underprivileged backgrounds, would not otherwise have an opportunity to visit the aquarium.

Admission tickets were obtained through the generous efforts of Kevin Collins, Director of Blood Drive Recruitment, at the City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center.

The LAPD Mounted Platoon provides policing of the city of Los Angeles on horseback. The Officers of the Mounted Platoon work in conjunction with other Police Department entities to prevent and reduce crime in the city. Mounted officers are the primary department resource for large crowd management, crowd control at demonstrations, and rural/urban search and rescue operations.

Los Angeles Police Captain Moriarity and Sergeant Al Lopez (Community Relations) of the Hollywood area will facilitate transportation for the trip.

For questions regarding the Mini Mounties Program, please call Sergeant Paola Kreefft, Officer Ron Daniels or Officer Jim Barlow at 213-485-5909.