After 32 years on the force, LAPD Senior Lead Officer (SLO) for Silver Lake, Al Polehonki had his last roll call at 6 AM yesterday, and a finished his day with a celebration hosted by CD4 City Councilmember Tom LaBonge. Senior Lead Officers are the most consistent point of contact between the community & the LAPD. For instance, in the 1990s, we used to have a real problem with thieves bringingstolen cars from elsewhere to Rosebud under the 2 Freeway overpass, where they would strip & torch them. Sometimes, twice a week. It would take neighbors days of pleading to get the LAPD & Parking Enforcement to have the burned out cars towed away. When Officer Al took over as SLO, he made it clear to the the Northeast Desk that if there was a burned out car under the freeway, chances are the car was stolen - it may not have been reported yet - just tow it away the same day. It was a no parking red curb.
Officer Al truly cared about people in the community & treated everyone with dignity & respect. He did a great service to the LAPD to help turn their image around after the 1992 riots. We will all miss Officer Al.
The new Silver Lake SLO is Officer Lenny Davis who can be reached on Officer Polehonki's cell phone number. Davis has been the SLO in Franklin Hills & Los Feliz & has been partnered with Polehonki for several years. Davis is already familiar with the area, issues & neighborhood leaders.
