Pancakes Draw People in for Pacific Division Open House

Roughly 300 people came out for an open house and pancake breakfast Saturday morning at the .

As well as enjoying the food and meeting the officers, the public got a chance to check out about a dozen booths from community groups and public safety service organizations.

"I'm out of toilet seat lids," laughed Jose Hernandez, who was running an emergency preparedness booth and selling kits for More Prepared. Hernandez said the LAPD asked his group to attend the breakfast.

Other groups represented included the Pacific Community PAB, the police advisory board that helps organize Neighborhood Watches and coordinate community and police interaction. Another booth was staffed by the Dispute Resolution Program, a free mediation service through the City Attorney's office that helps people work out disputes without resorting to legal action.

The event was sponsored by the Pacific Area Boosters Association, a nonprofit group that supports the police cadets, deputy auxilliary police and community involvement with law enforcement.

The cadet program is for youth ages 14 to 21. The deputy auxilliary police program is geared toward younger children, those 9 to 13 years old.

This year cadets have been promoting the Neighborhood Watch program, said Summer Baller, a senior at Venice High and a Pacific Division cadet. "Wo do a lot of stuff for the community," she said. 

"We also do a lot of PT—physical training," fellow cadet and West L.A. College student Adriana Bocanegra said as the two took a break to enjoy the pancake breakfast.

Other community outreach events at the Pacific Division include an annual Halloween party and a .