"Maybe I'm being a little too altruistic, but that's the way I feel." - Dustin Troyan

(Photo: Jon Barrett)

No, you're right on the money, Dustin. A simple thing like a toy at Christmas time can be a powerful ally to a police officer.

Any cop will tell you that. Usually they're walking into some of our poorest, toughest neighborhoods to investigate a crime or make an arrest.

Kids who live there know that. When police arrive, make yourself scarce. It can't be a good thing.

But it can. When you're carrying a toy, instead of a warrant.

For the past six years, Dustin Troyan, manager of Village Coffee Roasters in Woodland Hills, has been organizing a unique toy drive for local police, sheriff's and fire departments to make inroads with these kids.

Last Sunday morning, more than 60 classic car and motorcycle owners met at his shop, and with a full police escort - lights on, sirens blasting - headed for the nearest Toys R Us store to kick off the first leg of the Motor 4 Toys drive.

"We took over the parking lot and the car club community bought a ton of toys for the kids," said LAPD Detective Darren Holst of the West Valley Community Police Station in Reseda.

The second leg is this Sunday, Dec. 6, and you're invited to help them out. Bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at least $10 and you'll get into a classic car show for free.

More than 4,000 cars - hot rods, muscle and race cars, private collections and pro-touring cars - will be on display at the Anthem (Blue Cross) building parking lot in Warner Center, 21555 Oxnard St. from 8a.m. to noon.

The toys collected will be handed out in the next few weeks by police officers to kids throughout Los Angeles living in foster care, battered women's shelters, and neighborhoods where there are families in need that are identified by local school officials.

"Usually when kids see police officers getting out of patrol cars in impoverished areas it's to arrest somebody," Troyan says.

"But if they're carrying a toy, maybe it'll make these kids feel differently the next time they see an officer in their neighborhood, defuse the fear a little.

"Maybe I'm being a little too altruistic, but that's the way I feel."

No, you're right on the money, Dustin.