LAX unveils mural on newly constructed airport police facility

Los Angeles World Airports on Monday unveiled a 105-foot wide mural on its newly constructed police facility at LAX.

"Los Angeles World Airports is proud to unveil this new, vibrant mural which reflects the mission and values of the Los Angeles Airport Police Division and the history of our local community," said Los Angeles World Airports CEO Justin Erbacci. "This incredible mural, `Into the Blue,' wonderfully enhances our new
state-of-the-art Airport Police Facility and I am so pleased that this new work of art will be on view for our neighbors, passengers and employees."

The mural, which is 10 foot high, was painted by L.A.-based artist Francisco Letelier in collaboration with Marybeth Famal. It features a variety of flora, fauna and figures and is meant to symbolize the history of the community and the airport police department's service.

"As the Los Angeles Airport Police Division celebrates 75 years of serving and protecting the traveling public, we also cherish the connections we have grown with our local community, neighbors and passengers," said Acting Airport Police Chief Tyrone Stallings. "This new home for our sworn officers, security officers,
administrative staff and law-enforcement partners has brought us closer than ever to the surrounding community, and we are excited that this beautiful mural
further connects us all."

The mural includes themes of community, culture and place, according to officials.

The community theme is represented through the depiction of the indigenous Kizh-Gabrieleño people, who lived along the Ballona creek, and a vaquero -- or Mexican cowboy -- to represent the Machado family who established the area's boundaries as Rancho La Ballona. The mural also shows a mountain lion on a cliff, which officials said was meant to symbolize police officers' duty to protect people. The name of LAX Airport Officer Tommy Scott, who was killed on-duty at the airport in 2005, is below the mountain lion as a tribute to him.

The culture category is represented through departures and reunions of passengers at the airport. There are also figures carrying maps of the area and flags of other nations, as well as symbols of peace, justice and inclusion.

The mural's foreground includes the depiction of a young Mayan girl representing immigration to Los Angeles and how it has shaped the city.

The place category is represented by references to protected sand dunes, which are on the west side of the airport, through the depiction of a Great Blue Heron and pelicans. Butterflies are also present throughout the mural, including the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly and Palos Verdes Blue Butterfly.