LAPD Chief-designate Charlie Beck came to Mar Vista last night. The Mayor has been taking him all over town to drum up support and to let us all meet the new Chief-to-be. I don’t know the man, and my first impression was that he was no Bill Bratton, but as I listened to him take questions and answer them all very seriously, I was glad he wasn’t all flash and media savvy. I think we can do without that kind of rock star persona in the Chief’s job for a while. I wish him good luck, should he be confirmed by the City Council (which is all but assured), for one of the world’s most difficult jobs. Speaking of rock star personas, our Mayor sure is one, I just have to say. He’s all about the polish, from his very-well-tailored suits, to the way he made the best of an amateur sound system in the Mar Vista park basketball gym. He knows how to work a room.

Photos courtesy of my iPhone, which is my they’re a bit grainy.