Kent's News 2003

From June 11 to June 20, Cynthia and I were in Paris attending meetings of FIA, Federation International of Actors, a federation of actors unions from around the world of which the Screen Actors Guild is an affiliate. The conference ran for 4 days and then we took some time to enjoy our favorite city in the world and to celebrate our forty first wedding anniversary a month early at our favorite restaurant, La Closerie des Lilas.

May 25, 2003
Cynthia and I made our annual trip back to Indianapolis. Many of you are aware that that there is a battle going on to save the Screen Actors Guild. Our friend, David Jolliffe whom many of you will remember from Room 222, made the trip to the 500 with us. He is a former V.P. of S.A.G. and one of the leaders in our efforts. My friend John Barnes who heads up Panther Racing, gave our SaveSAG.com website a hugh boost when he graciously placed a decal on Billy Boats #98 Panther Racing Pedigo car. While the team suffered an early out in the race, it was quite a thrill for us and our SaveSAG team. Thank you John and everyone at Panther Racing.

On May 15, 2003, at the headquarters of the Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department, I was sworn in as the first Reserve Officer in its history by Chief of Police, Alan B. Kerstein. My friend, Commander Larry Manion, conducted the Badge Ceremony. My Badge number, 2430, is the same badge number I wore during my seven years on Adam-12.

Commander Larry Manion with Kent

Kent with Chief Alan B. Kerstein

Kent's Badge, Number 2430

I will be serving to help the department in their efforts to create and maintain a safe environment for the almost 1 million students and school personnel in the 950 schools in the district. You can learn more about the Department at their website, www.laspd.com

On May 7, 2003, I again MC'd the South Bay Medal of Valor Awards ceremony.

I hope to find the time soon to begin looking at the episodes of Adam-12 and add my comments to what I remember of them.

My best to all,
Kent

Save SAG - Event Photos

Thursday 4-17-03
"1-Adam-12". Tonight was the first time in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department that those words were ever dispatched in earnest. These are the two Officers who are the Central Division's Officers of the Year. Juan Guerra and Beth Jenkins. They were chosen to inaugurate a special assignment awarded to two Officers for outstanding job performance. The unit is allowed to patrol the entire division, pick and choose the calls they want to respond to, and they don't have to write reports. Just like Reed and Malloy. ABC, CBS, FOX, Court TV and Celebrity Justice all showed up to cover the maiden voyage of 1-Adam-12. I did a "1-Adam-12, radio check," the dispatcher responded, "1-Adam-12 check." Then I responded, "1-Adam-12, Roger".

Thursday 4-17-03, I will be at Central Division as they inaugurate this honor (see below). ABC is doing a story at 3PM and Court TV is supposed to cover it's maiden voyage live at 6:15 PM.
- Kent

Adam 12
By DENNIS ROMERO
City News Service

LOS ANGELES (CNS) - "1 Adam 12.''

The words roll off the tongue, thanks to the old "Adam 12'' TV series co- starring Martin Milner and Kent McCord as fictional LAPD officers.

The Los Angeles Police Department never used those words in dispatching real cops, but it will soon.

The LAPD's Central Station is rolling out a two-officer patrol unit designated "1 Adam 12.''

Sets of high-performing officers assigned to the station will be assigned to the downtown patrol unit during each shift as a sort of reward, said Lt. Pat Hernandez.

"It's going to be for officers who are high producers,'' said the lieutenant, a watch commander at the Central Station on East Sixth Street.

Capt. Charlie Beck, who is in charge of the downtown patrol area, came up with the idea, said Sgt. John Pasquariello of Media Relations.

Though "1 Adam 12'' was never officially an LAPD unit, it closely resembles how the Police Department labels patrol units. The 1 stands for Central Station - the LAPD has 18 citywide - and the A denotes a two- person car. The 12 denotes the "beat'' within the overall patrol area.

"Adam 12,'' produced by Jack Webb of "Dragnet'' fame, ran for seven season, starting in the fall of 1968. It followed uniformed officers on patrol in Plymouth "black and whites.'' The program was partly filmed at
the then-new Rampart Station, just west of downtown on Temple Street.

In a 1997 story in Daily Variety, McCord, who played Officer Jim Reed on the show, said "Adam 12'' helped give police work an air of dignity and respect the world over.

"Police work became something that people aspired to,'' he said. "It wasn't a propaganda tool for the LAPD - what we were trying to portray was two good cops.''

See Related Press Release

An attempt to subjugate the Screen Actors Guild to the status of an Affiliate in a new union is being attempted. I am participating with a number of my fellow Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA members to Save SAG and AFTRA. For information, please check out, SaveSAG.com
Fraternally,
Kent

April 3, 2003
Some of the pictures I have from Adam-12 have been added to that section of the site. I hope you enjoy them.
Kent

Final episode of FARSCAPE March 21.

To all the loyal fans of FARSCAPE, thank you for all the support you have given to this most unique show. I had a great time being a part of it.

(Click thumbnails below for larger image)

Happy 2003 to everyone. I hope it will be a good year for all of us. We started out going to Pasadena to see the floats up close the day after the parade. A few things have been added to the site. As many of you know FARSCAPE has been canceled and will finish airing the remaining original episodes Friday nights on the Sci-Fi Channel. I had a great time being part of this really unique show. Happy New Year, Kent