Members of the LAPD Central Division have been a regular part of the Skid Row Running Club since early 2017. While we were finishing up one of regular morning runs and gathered at the intersection of 3rd and Crocker Street, a LAPD patrol car stopped and LAPD Veronica Padilla got out.
We thought we were going to be reprimanded or cited for running in the middle of the street, but instead Veronica, who has been running for over a decade now, asked if she could start running with us. Of course our answer was yes! Since then, she had introduced her colleagues in the LAPD Central Division to us. Many of them were already serious runners.
The best part of our Thursday runs is when we gather in front of the Midnight Mission at 6am and see a large group of LAPD officers running to join us as we get started on our runs.
Thank you LAPD!