Behind the Badge
More than 225 students of Heritage Elementary in Tustin participated recently in International Walk to School Day, with officers and other TPD employees making sure they got to school safe.
“It was a wonderful day,” Principal Beth Rabel Blackman said after the Oct. 4 event. “We had an amazing turnout of families and community members, and a fantastic turnout from the police.”
A parent arrives with his two sons to the designated meeting place at Red Hill Avenue for the start of International Walk to School Day with the Tustin PD.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Two teams of TPD employees, joined by volunteers from the local Kiwanis Club, walked the students to the relatively new school, at 15400 Lansdowne Rd. near the corner of Red Hill Avenue and Valencia Avenue. The school serves newer communities near there.
TPD officers passed out police badge stickers. They also handed out blue tickets to students and green tickets to parents who walked with the kids. Later, the students got prizes in a raffle.
Tustin PD Deputy Chief Paul Garaven greets students with colorful pencils.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“Walk to school is a great program. Our officers really enjoy participating with the kids. Members of the Tustin Police Department truly enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to be a part of community outreach programs like this.” Sgt. Sean Whiteley said.
Said Rabel Blackman: “It’s very important for our kids to get access to what our police do and to have an understanding of their involvement in our community.”
She added: “It’s also a great way to promote health and wellness in our partnership with the police. It’s important that we model activities such as walking to school, eating healthy and being physically active to our children, and having our police be that role model is vitally important.”
Tustin PD Civilian Commander Katarina Thomas walks students and their parents across Red Hill Avenue at the start of their walk to Heritage Elementary on International Walk to School Day.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Heritage Elementary, a STEAM Magnet School, has a total enrollment of 460 kids.
International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event.
Behind the Badge OC Photographer Steven Georges contributed to this story.
Tustin PD Officer Ryan Newell hands out a sticker to 6-year-old Abigail Gonzalez as kids gather at Red Hill Avenue to walk to school with Tustin PD officers on International Walk to School Day.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Under the guidance of the Tustin PD, parents walk with their kids as the sun rises.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Sgt. Manny Arzate walks with some of the 228 students from Heritage Elementary School on International Walk to School Day.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Motor Officer Tim Crouch stands for a photo with Shirley Nguyen, 3, left, and her sister Aileen, 5.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Parents walk their kids to school as Tustin Motor Officers Tim Crouch, left, Ralph Casiello and John Hedges watch the streets to keep them safe.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Mark Sauerwein gives a high-five to Fabrizio Mendiola, 4, after Fabrizio walked his older sister to school.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Sgt. Sean Whiteley talks to the more than 200 kids at Heritage Elementary School who participated on International Walk to School Day with the Tustin PD.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kingsley, a Tustin PD K9, looks up at Tustin PD Officer Chuck Mitchell during a school assembly at Heritage Elementary School in Tustin.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Chuck Mitchell with his K9 partner Kingsley during a demonstration at Heritage Elementary School in Tustin.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Students from Heritage Elementary School give Tustin PD their “Aviator Cheer” at the conclusion of the Walk to School Day assembly.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD members gather with Heritage Elementary faculty and Kiwanis Club members at the conclusion of the International Walk to School Day event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
