LPC? Hmmm : Sheriff Unveils His ‘Secret Weapon’ in War Against Drugs

When Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block announced plans Friday to unveil a new drug-fighting vehicle, mysteriously code-named “LPC,” reporters gathered at the sheriff’s parking lot downtown for a promised demonstration of the new weapon.

Drug-fighting vehicle, huh?

Probably Block’s effort to match the Los Angeles Police Department’s motorized battering ram, that controversial hunk of iron used to bash open cocaine rock houses.

LPC? Hmmm.

Probably stands for “Law Enforcement Personnel Carrier” or something macho. No doubt the Sheriff’s Department will nickname it “Sherman’s Tank.”

But all the speculation, it turns out, was just that.

Cartoon music, please.

Block’s “tank” is actually a Little Patrol Car--a 37-inch caricature of a police cruiser--complete with squeaky siren, teeny red light and animated eyes that bob up and down as the car zips along. Remote controlled, the plastic LPC uses a wireless voice system to both talk and listen to children and can also be equipped to play tape-recorded messages.

It’s purpose: to help educate kindergartners and grade schoolers about the evils of narcotics.

Focus Attention

“We could call it a prop or a gimmick, but hopefully, the youngsters’ attention will be focused on LPC and its message,” Block explained, as reporters interviewed the car. “If we are to be effective in any drug-prevention program, the earlier we start, the better.”

The voice behind the LPC belongs to Sgt. Aaron Williams, who, as a former professional ventriloquist, performed warm-up acts for singers Merle Haggard and Dionne Warwick, before joining the Sheriff’s Department in 1971.

Williams, the department’s safety education field deputy, has made more than 3,000 public appearances with his four dummies--Freddie, Grandpa Ike, Aunt Ida and McTuff the Dog.

Beginning next week, LPC will join Williams and his wooden entourage in touring schools countywide to talk about drugs.

Block said he became intrigued with the LPC last year, after watching it show its stuff at a law enforcement conference in Salt Lake City, where the toy cars are made by Robotronics.

The Sheriff’s Department spent $3,500 in private donations to buy one.

“We won’t get into any rock houses with this, but it could help us with the very, very serious problem of drugs,” Block said.