Theft Leads To Art at PALS Auction

For the Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Division, one good turn eventually led to another. Some months ago, Det. Steve Carroll helped Guerin Swing, owner of architecture firm Guerin Design in North Hollywood, recover his stolen recreational vehicle. It turned out that inside the toy-hauler was a dirt bike that Swing had purchased from Tommy Lee, the drummer with rock band Motley Crue. Although the bike wasn’t in the toy-hauler when it was found in Van Nuys, the cops later recovered it, too. So when Carroll took on the task of organizing a July 24 golf tournament to raise money for the East Valley Police Activities League Supporters, or PALS, he decided to contact Swing for help. For the charity auction, Swing donated a painting called “Tar and Gold Ganesh,” showing the Hindu elephant deity that symbolizes good luck. Lee donated a brass cymbal from his drum set signed with his name. Both items sold at auction, for $750 and $500 respectively, and both Swing and Lee participated in the golf match. “It’s kind of a word of mouth thing – volunteers ask businesses to donate in North Hollywood and Toluca Lake, and they play a big factor in this event,” Carroll said. Scott Frager, president of East Valley PALS and general manager at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, said money raised at the tournament supports the police cadet program that teaches leadership and communication skills to about 60 youth from the NoHo area. It also goes to the Jeopardy program, which serves at-risk youth and their parents. “It’s a labor of love,” Frager said of his involvement. “It was nice to have participation, both from artists and the business community.” Carroll said 96 people played in the tournament, not counting volunteers and other organizers. Before he decided to become a cop, Carroll managed a golf course. He believes the skills from his former job are transferable. “If someone comes through the golf course and they’re not happy, you smooth things over and give them a free bucket of balls,” he said. “It’s about getting out with the public and dealing with people.” – Joel Russell