Behind the Badge
Hundreds of community members marched with Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies during the 30th annual Walk Against Drugs on Oct. 20 at Mission Viejo High School to encourage children to choose a life free of drugs.
Crowds of students gather at Mission Viejo High School’s football stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2018 Walk Against Drugs.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Families packed the football stadium wearing red shirts emblazoned with the outline of a skateboarder in midair next to the motto, “skate through life drug-free” to hear speakers from the Sheriff’s Department and the City of Mission Viejo. Undersheriff Don Barnes cautioned students that many of the people he’s arrested in his career got caught in a lifestyle of drugs because of choices they made.
“If there’s one thing I hope you take from today, it’s look around you at the support that you have to … just say no to drugs, because this is your life and you have to be the champion of your own life,” Barnes said.
OCSD Undersheriff Don Barnes welcomes kids to the 2018 Walk Against Drugs during the opening ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Barnes also told adults in the audience that all it takes is one parent, grandparent, teacher, or friend to be a good role model in the life of a child to get them on a good path. He asked tongue-in-cheek for parents to remember that the fourth amendment does not apply to them when it comes to looking through their children’s phones and backpacks.
“I’ve had too many parents tell me too late that if they only knew the decisions that their kids were making or the friends they were making that were not positive influences,” he said. “They lose their children to drugs and they wish they could wind that clock back.”
OCSD Undersheriff Don Barnes welcomes everyone to the 2018 Walk Against Drugs during the opening ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Barnes was joined at the podium by young entrepreneur Carson Kropfl. The 13-year-old was asked to speak to the crowd before the walk about how he chased his passion, skateboarding, all the way to a successful appearance on “Shark Tank.”
Carson met an executive producer of “Shark Tank” in an elevator while on vacation with his family when he was nine years old. At the time he had invented another skateboard accessory but the producer told him his company was too small and to stay in touch.
Walkers make their way from Mission Viejo High School to Oso Viejo Community Park for the 2018 Walk Against Drugs.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
In 2016, Carson started his company, Locker Board, which recycles used skateboards into a new shape that’s short enough to fit in a school locker or backpack, as a way to raise money for his surf contest entries and surf lessons. Four years after meeting the “Shark Tank” producer he learned that Locker Board was ready to appear on the show.
After seeing Carson’s passion for recycling skateboards, Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, offered Carson $65,000 for a 20 percent stake in his company.
Keynote speaker Carson Kropfl of Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente talks about his appearance on the television show “Shark Tank.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Carson said kids are introduced to drugs at such a young age today and need to be taught to walk away from them. He recalled being offered drugs when he was 12 by an older friend he looked up to; luckily, he had been taught by his parents and sheriff’s deputies to avoid drugs.
“There’s no way I could be doing all of these things if I were on drugs,” Carson said. “Hopefully my story will inspire you to live a drug-free life.”
Kids from Los Alisos Intermediate School cheer as their school is called to receive a check for $5,000..
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Carson’s speech was followed by the presentation of three $5,000 checks for the #SafeSchoolsMV Challenge, a social media campaign promoting student-produced videos about topics including bullying and drunk driving.
Philip J. Reilly Elementary, Los Alisos Intermediate School, and Mission Viejo High School were named winners of the challenge because they received the most likes on the Mission Viejo Police Services Facebook and Instagram pages.
The march onto Christana Drive was led by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Mounted Color Guard, recruits from the Regional Training Academy, and the Mission Viejo High marching band.
Philip J. Reilly Elementary School Principal Sharla Pitzen gets a hug as she accepts a $5,000 check on behalf of her school.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Keynote speaker Carson Kropfl of Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente, second from left, gathers with OCSD Lt. Quyen Vuong, chief of police services for the City of Mission Viejo; left, Undersheriff Don Barnes, and Khatra Molina of the Mission Viejo Police Services Department, during the 2018 Walk Against Drugs.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Walkers make their way from Mission Viejo High School to Oso Viejo Community Park for the 2018 Walk Against Drugs.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Mission Viejo High drum team helps lead the 2018 Walk Against Drugs.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Orange County Sheriff’s Department recruits participate in the 2018 Walk Against Drugs in Mission Viejo. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Duke 6, a Huey Helicopter used for search and rescue, lands at Oso Viejo Community Park with the Orange County Fire Authority helicopter following behind it, for the South County Emergency Preparedness Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
People walk through exhibits and attractions for kids during the South County Emergency Preparedness Expo at Oso Viejo Community Park in Mission Viejo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Duke 6 helicopter lands at Oso Viejo Community Park for the South County Emergency Preparedness Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCSD Mounted Enforcement Unit members Deputy Arnold Deedrick (from left), Sgt. Bruce Frazee, and Deputy Robert Denney give the public a chance to get up close to their horses during the South County Emergency Preparedness Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Two-year-old Enzo Cotliarenko gets a view with the help of his mother, Anya Cotliarenko, from the turret of an Orange County Sheriff’s Department SWAT vehicle on display during the South County Emergency Preparedness Expo.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Philip J. Reilly Elementary School Principal Sharla Pitzen accepts a $5,000 check on behalf of her school during the 2018 Walk Against Drugs opening ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Los Alisos Intermediate School Principal Richard Freda accepts a $5,000 check on behalf of his school during the 2018 Walk Against Drugs opening ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Mission Viejo High School Principal Tricia Osborne accepts a $5,000 check on behalf of her school during the 2018 Walk Against Drugs opening ceremony.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
