Behind the Badge
The little ones converged around Garden Grove Police Sgt. Jon Wainwright at the west end of Palma Vista Avenue on Saturday as he doled out stickers replicating GGPD badges.
The group moved a few feet to the sergeant’s GGPD SUV, where he handed out more stickers and showed off the cool equipment inside.
A few lucky ones even got to sit inside the vehicle.
Kennith Cruc, 5, gives Garden Grove PD Sgt. Jon Wainwright a high-five and a big smile after Wainwright stored a scary clown mask in a police drawer. Kennith’s mother asked the sergeant to show him that the mask he was very afraid of was gone for good.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“That’s what I like to see,” said Kacie Cardoza, a property manager at one of the courtyard-style apartments that line both sides of the street. “I want the kids to see these cops as celebrities.”
It appears that is exactly what’s happening on Palma Vista, where some property owners and renters are working to improve the largely Hispanic neighborhood from all angles.
One resident, Marielena Hernandez, lived on the street for eight years and was a property manager for Ray Tobias, who owns four apartment buildings on the street.
Kennith Cruc, 5, left, and Lindsey, 10, cross the finish line during one of the fun runs at a community gathering at the Palma Vista Avenue neighborhood in Garden Grove.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Even though she moved to nearby Anaheim, Hernandez returns regularly to host arts and crafts projects and exercise programs for the neighborhood children.
“I want to show the kids that they can work together to have a better future,” Hernandez said through her daughter Maria, who served as interpreter.
On Nov. 12, Hernandez organized a series of running races for the kids.
That’s when Sgt. Wainwright dropped by.
“We just need to do more events like this,” Wainwright said. “It’s good to see this.”
Garden Grove PD Sgt. Jon Wainwright gathers with some kids for a photo during a community gathering at the Palma Vista Avenue neighborhood in Garden Grove on Nov. 12.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
GGPD and the city are committed to seeing that such community-building activities continue.
Palma Vista and the adjacent El Dorado Mobile Home Park will be the focus of the city’s Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) for a year-long program aimed at creating a safer, more aesthetically pleasing neighborhood.
A kickoff event is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 17.
Throughout next year, the city and the police will collaborate with community groups, residents and businesses to address safety issues and perform beautification projects.
Genesis, 3, runs through the finish-line tape during a fun run.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I think it’s great,” Tobias said. “A lot of renters want that.”
There are families who’ve been living on the street for more than 15 years, Cardoza said.
“They only know this street,” she said.
Tobias, Cardoza and others are already making a difference, and Cardoza can see that there is more trust with the police.
“The whole idea is to get the people to not be afraid to call the police,” she said.
Damien, 9, right, checks out the inside of a Garden Grove police car with his friend as kids are invited to tour the vehicle during a community gathering in the Palma Vista Avenue neighborhood in Garden Grove on Saturday.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Cardoza has received the GGPD Chief’s Coin twice, once for helping the police apprehend a man suspected of assaulting women in the area and a second time for her involvement in a helmet program for young skateboard riders.
“I think it’s real cool; being here with these kids and doing all these events is fun,” said Andrea Munoz, 13, who has lived on the street since she was 3.
Andrea said she has noticed a difference and is looking forward to the NIC’s year-long effort.
“Before, nobody would ever come out,” Andrea said. “Now, everyone is coming outside and having fun together. I like that. I want everyone to feel that this is a nice street and all of us kids have fun together.”
Elizabeth, 10, participates in the fun run.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids gather for a snack during the community gathering in the Palma Vista Avenue neighborhood.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Elizabeth, 10, shows Garden Grove PD Sgt. Jon Wainwright a medal she won during the community gathering.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Garden Grove PD Sgt. Jon Wainwright gives kids from the Palma Vista Avenue neighborhood a tour of a police sergeant’s SUV.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
