Each year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run takes to the streets of Southern California to raise awareness and money for the Special Olympics as the annual Summer Games approach in Long Beach. All this week, first responders have been running, Special Olympics torch in hand, to support the program that does so much for athletes with intellectual disabilities. On Monday and Tuesday, the torch made its way through parts of Los Angeles, San Pedro, Lomita, Palos Verdes, the Beach Cities, LAX, Culver City and other communities. Also see: More than 1,300 athletes will compete in Southern California Special Olympics this weekend On Wednesday, in San Fernando, the city’s police officers and city employees as well as Los Angeles School Police, Department of Motor Vehicles investigators and California Department of Alcoholic Beverages agents, took their turns, carrying the “Flame of Hope” Torch through the region. Also running Wednesday were officers in North Hollywood and Burbank. On Thursday, the run continues through Hollywood and West Los Angeles. On Friday, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department officers based in Compton will be among the runners carrying the torch. And as the run concludes, Long Beach police officers will take charge of the flame, carrying it to the its final stop — the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach, where the Special Olympics Summer Games will launch on Friday. Through Sunday, hundreds of Special Olympians will compete in basketball, track and field, bocce, flag football, swimming and other sports. And hundreds of volunteers will also be on hand to support the athletes during the event.