Congratulations to the members of Westchester’s Volunteer Community Patrol (VCP) team that have been named the 2026 NCWP Stars of the Neighborhood and will be honored during the annual Westchester Fourth of July Parade.
The purpose of the award is to identify and honor those unsung heroes of our community who quietly, persistently, and without fanfare, voluntarily perform good deeds that serve the needs of their neighbors and/or the community. This group certainly fits the bill!
VCP members Alison White, Cyndi Hench, Susan Buss Stephan Baum-Harvey and others work with Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Brian Cook to patrol local neighborhoods and serving as the eyes and ears of the community.
Driving a small black-and-white BMW i3, uniformed volunteers communicate with LAPD via radio and report everything from noise complaints to suspicious vehicles.
Born out of the community policing model that includes Neighborhood Watch, VCP became a reality when Captain Eric Eppolito arrived at Pacific Division last summer, bringing with him a model that had already succeeded elsewhere.
But before they hit the streets, volunteers go through a surprisingly rigorous training process that includes navigating a serpentine driving course, forward and backward maneuvers, and parallel parking–on both sides of the street.
They also study LAPD protocols, learn radio communication, and train with official equipment.
The role of the Volunteer Community Patrol is not enforcement, it’s presence, observation, and communication. Their work ranges from checking on incidents to relaying real-time information to officers en route so that officers know what to expect once they arrive at the scene.
At a time when LAPD is stretched thin, VCP allows volunteers to canvas neighborhoods, talk to residents, and stay at a scene long after officers are dispatched elsewhere.
The group ws unanimously selected by the Neighborhood Council of Westchester Playa as this year’s NCWP Stars of the Neighborhood Congratulations to all of them, and thank you for making out community safer every day!!
Anyone interested in joining the Volunteer Community Patrol can contact Sgt. Brian Cook at 36258@LAPD.ONLINE.