Police Team With Car Dealer to Offer Shelf-Help to School

When Los Angeles Police Officer Maritza Gentry saw the empty bookcases in North Hollywood’s Lankershim Elementary School library, some sad memories raced through her mind.

Gentry said she grew up in tough neighborhoods west of downtown Los Angeles and went to schools that were sometimes short of books and supplies.

“I know what it’s like to need equipment and books to learn,” said Gentry, now an officer with the North Hollywood Division of the LAPD. “I dreamed that there was some way for me to put books on those shelves.”

Gentry’s dream came true on Tuesday when, through her efforts, a North Hollywood auto dealer donated $8,500 for Lankershim officials to purchase library books and computers.

North Hollywood officers became involved with the 680 Lankershim students when they “adopted” the school as part of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Adopt-a-School program.

In the program, businesses work with public schools to improve student academic performance by donating money, equipment and the time of employees, who often act as tutors.

Gentry is the Adopt-a-School liaison officer and last April, during one of her first tours of the school, discovered the empty library bookcases.

“I knew we had to do something, but I didn’t know what,” she said.

During the summer, Gentry came across a brochure for “Cops and Kids,” a promotional campaign by local Chevrolet dealers. For every person who test drove a new car, the dealer would contribute money to police-sponsored youth programs.

Gentry went to Philip Young, owner of Crossroads Chevrolet in North Hollywood, for help in raising money for Lankershim.

“I wanted to start small and first go for $800,” Gentry said. “But he advised that we go big.”

North Hollywood officers applied for $8,500. About $6,000 would buy computers. The remaining $2,500 would go toward purchasing library books.

The officers got the money. And, at the Tuesday playground ceremony, all of Lankershim’s students and faculty turned out to celebrate the donation.

“Test scores here are low and these computers will help students improve their skills,” said Lankershim Principal Anna McLinn. “We talk to the students about being scholars, we talk to them about being the very best they can be. Now we have something extra to help them achieve those goals.”