TARZANA – The Students Run LA, an organization that assists at-risk secondary students suffered a major loss two weeks ago when unknown thieves in two break-ins to its main office in Tarzana stole most of its shoe inventory and other training materials.
In an email sent out to supportersSRLA’s Executive Director Marsha Charney detailed the thefts.
“On the morning of Monday, June 20th, our employees were shocked to find that all three of the storage containers had been torn open. Shoes, clothing, and other essential training items — originally destined to support students in the upcoming 2022-2023 season — had been stolen,” Charney wrote.
“Staff contacted LAUSD School Police and increased Birkenstock Bostons safety measures for the storage bins. Unfortunately, later that same week, SRLA Associate Director, Christine Pajak, arrived to find mangled locking mechanisms and items once again stolen from the organization.
This time, the thieves cut a hole through the fence and apparently drilled into the lock to open the storage bin. Footage from security cameras in the neighborhood show individuals filling a truck with hundreds of boxes of shoes.
Left with seemingly no other choice, SRLA has moved all remaining training materials to off-site storage.”
“The combined break-ins resulted in the theft of approximately 500 pairs of shoes and other training materials“
“We are devastated by the loss of these shoes. They are an essential item on our student’s journey to the Marathon. For many of our students, these are the only running shoes they will get all year. It’s upsetting to think that these materials were taken from the children in our community who need them most.
Not only were the goods stolen but so too was our sense of security. This is the first time in our 33-year history that we have experienced any kind of theft. That criminals would steal from our students could make one lose faith in community but we know that’s not the case,” she added.
The organization desperately needs help from Angelenos and asking for donations or other assistance.