Behind the Badge
The Anaheim family recently purchased bicycles from Walmart with plans to start riding together regularly.
But Graciela Oropeza wanted to make sure her daughters, ages 6 and 15, first learned about bike safety.
Kaylee Neri, 10, of Anaheim, gets a high-five from Anaheim PD Motor Inspector Shane Spielman after she was fitted with a new APD bicycle helmet. “I wanted to hang out with the police,” said Kaylee, “because if I don’t (become a) veterinarian, then I want to become a policewoman when I grow up.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Oropeza follows the Anaheim PD’s Facebook page, and was delighted to learn about a bike safety event, “Cruise with a Cop.”
She and her daughters went to the March 24 event at Maxwell Park to cruise around the park perimeter with APD officers after learning how to properly wear a helmet and the rules of the road for cyclists.
Carlos Madrid of Anaheim PD’s Traffic Office fits kids with new Anaheim PD bicycle helmets during APD’s “Cruise with a Cop” event at Maxwell Park in Anaheim.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s a great program,” Oropeza said. “It’s really important for members of the community to be aware of safety (issues). Also, an event like this brings families together.”
The APD event was a partnership with the Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange County Health Care Agency, California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Anaheim Community Services. The event included a special appearance by fan favorite Oscar El Oso, the APD Traffic Section’s mascot who participated in the ride.
Anaheim PD Officer Steve Anderson fits a child’s bicycle with a free rear safety light.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The OCTA’s OC Active initiative promotes walking and cycling throughout the county, and the OTS makes funding available for community-education events like “Cruise with A Cop,” APD Sgt. Rick Boyer said.
“I think the kids probably got a much bigger perspective of riding safe, what to look out for when they are out on the streets and how to follow safety signals,” Boyer said of the event.
Three-year-old Mariam Mohmmed gives Oscar El Oso, Anaheim PD’s safety bear, a hug during APD’s “Cruise with a Cop” event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“Bicycles are just like cars, so when they are out riding, they have to think of themselves (as if they were driving) a car and observe all rules of the road,” Boyer said.
A 3-mile ride was planned, but the route was shortened to about a mile because of the large turnout, which included many youngsters.
Kids show up at Maxwell Park in Anaheim to be fitted with a new Anaheim PD bicycle helmet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tarvell Lynch brought his wife and two children, ages 3 and 5, to the bike safety event.
A teacher at Mattie Lou Maxwell Elementary School, which Lynch’s 5-year-old attends, urged parents to show up at the event, he said.
Anaheim PD Motor Inspector Shane Spielman wears 6-year-old Emilee Oropeza’s old bicycle helmet (because it made her laugh) as he fits her with a new APD helmet during the “Cruise with a Cop” event at Maxwell Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“The program is very good and educational not just for the kids, but for parents, too,” Lynch said.
“Events like this are important,” he added. “Everybody is having a good time here. The (Anaheim Police) are doing a good job.”
Steven Georges contributed to this story.
Daniel Santillan, 8, plays around with Oscar El Oso, Anaheim PD’s safety bear.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Emily Mason, of OCTA, takes her photo with Oscar El Oso, Anaheim PD’s safety bear.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids line up as Anaheim PD Motor Inspector Shane Spielman fits them with a free bicycle helmet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Sgt. Jon Yepes, left, with a little help from Oscar El Oso, Anaheim PD’s safety bear, gives a talk on bicycle safety before the ride around Maxwell Park in Anaheim during APD’s “Cruise with a Cop” event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kaylee Neri, 10, of Anaheim, leads a group of kids as they ride around Maxwell Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Local kids gather at Maxwell Park in Anaheim with Anaheim PD officers after their ride around the park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Bicycle safety coloring books, crayons and Anaheim PD Traffic Bureau pins were given out to kids in addition to a bicycle safety talk just before a group bike ride with Anaheim PD officers around Maxwell Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Anaheim PD Sgt. Jon Yepes fits 5-year-old Khloe Lynch with a new APD bicycle helmet.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
