A group of West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department deputies will be handling different types of tickets tonight as they participate in “Tip-A-Cop,” an event designed to raise money for local Special Olympics athletes. The event will take place at the Hamburger Hamlet, 9201 Sunset Blvd., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies will serve as hosts and help wait on customers while accepting donations.

Deputy Kevin Connors, of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, participated in the fundraiser last year with Special Olympics athletes Michelle Core and Eddie Perez. (photo courtesy of Eloise Crawford)

Deputy Kevin Connors, who has been with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Dept. for 17 years, will be among approximately eight deputies and four local Special Olympics athletes present at the event. “Tip-A-Cop” has been held for 10 years in West Hollywood and Connors has participated in each one.

“It’s a good cause,” Connors said. “The athletes really get a kick out of seeing law enforcement at the event. They smile when they talk to us and really like hearing about what we do.”

Hamburger Hamlet will be hosting the event for the sixth consecutive year. Lawrence Diblasio has been the general manager at the Sunset Blvd. location for more than a year and was present for last year’s event.

“It was a really good time last year,” Diblasio said. “It was nice to see the deputies were here to help and not just give us tickets and we’re happy to host the event.”

Deputies help the servers at the restaurants bus the tables and serve the food. They approach each table and explain that they are there to help raise money for the Special Olympics. Customers who are interested in helping are given an envelope for their donation. There is also another perk to having a deputy wait on your table.

“It’s one time that people get a chance to order a cop around and tell him what to do,” Connors said. “They get a kick out of telling a cop to clean up their table.”

The event helped raise more than $2,700 in four hours last year and Diblasio credited the patrons’ willingness to contribute.

“The customers loved it,” Diblasio said. “They did get a big kick out of ordering the cops around but when they found out the cause, I would say that about ninety-five percent of the customers made donations.”

Diblasio added that he is hoping to double that number at this year’s event since there are two private parties scheduled at the restaurant that night.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will also be hosting “Tip-A-Cop” events Saturday at Red Robin restaurants in Cerritos, Calabasas, La Mirada, Palmdale, San Dimas and Valencia. All proceeds go toward helping local athletes compete in the Special Olympics.

Law enforcement and the Special Olympics have had a partnership for more than 25 years. According to Eloise Crawford, regional director for the Special Olympics, law enforcement agencies in Southern California alone raised more than $1.2 million for the Special Olympics through a variety of charitable events, including “Tip-A-Cop.”

“That goes from Bakersfield all the way down to the Mexican border,” Crawford said. “That money helped serve more than 11,000 athletes in that area.”

Crawford added that competing in the Special Olympics is free for athletes, thanks in large part to these charitable contributions. Money raised through these events goes to buy equipment, uniforms, and medals. It also helps provide free transportation to the event site for the athletes. The Special Olympics Summer Games will be held June 11 and 12 at the California State University, Long Beach.

“When you get to see them compete, it’s really great,” Connors said.