Police Raise $14,000 for Special Olympics

Early fears that El Nino storms would dampen the spirits of patrons and supporters of this year’s Tip-A-Cop fund-raiser proved unfounded as officers posted record numbers for the fourth annual event, officials said Wednesday.

The event, a joint effort between the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division and Red Lobster restaurant, was held over two days for the first time and the officers raised about $14,000 to benefit the Special Olympics.

They did it by pouring water and carrying trays of food for the lunch and dinner crowds at the West Hills seafood restaurant.

“It was unreal,” Sgt. Dan Mastro, coordinator of the event, said of the support the fund-raiser received this year.

More than 70 off-duty officers waited on and bused tables for hundreds of people, some driving through the rain from places as far afield as Ventura and Orange counties.

Red Lobster officials estimated the officers served more than 700 on the first night, about two times the normal Monday night crowd.

Most customers left more than the customary tip for the service to aid the charity, but one man added a $500 donation to his bill after the officers declined his invitation to buy them all lunch.

In addition to the officers’ enthusiasm for the program, Mastro said a secret to their success is the innovative ideas they devise to make more money.

This year, they raffled off a “Princess” Beanie Baby, a purple bear adorned with a pink rose and named for the late Princess Diana. The bear was donated by the Country Attic in Agoura. He said the raffle raised $600 for a toy that retails for about $5.

Mastro said the station plans to continue the annual fund-raiser and hopes other police divisions will be moved to hold similar events.