Behind the Badge
It was a kickball contest with a real kicker: honoring the Fullerton PD for strategies to reduce drunk driving in the city.
On Friday, June 19, Chief Dan Hughes and several officers participated in a kickball contest with members of a youth group from St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church at Ted Craig Regional Park, followed by a picnic, at the “P2: Picnic With the Police” event.
Santa Ana-based nonprofit Community Service Programs’ Project PATH (Positive Action Toward Health) organized the two-hour event.
The mission of Project PATH is to create a safe and healthy O.C. by eliminating problems associated with alcohol, tobacco and drug use through education, training and technical assistance.
Project PATH organizers collaborated with the FPD to train employees of Fullerton bars and restaurants on “responsible beverage service,” including the importance of checking IDs, how to refuse service when someone is drunk, properly documenting alcohol-related incidents, and the importance of offering alternate transportation to patrons who are too drunk to drive.
Police shield cupcakes were among the treats at the kickball game and picnic at Ted Craig Regional Park in Fullerton.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton establishments that participated in the training included Roscoe’s Famous Deli, Bourbon Street, Heroes Bar & Grill, the Slidebar Rock-n-Roll Kitchen, Florentine’s Grill, the Tuscany Club and the Palapa Grill.
In January, Project PATH recognized Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and Santa Ana bars and restaurants for similar efforts.
Friday’s kickball contest pitted Fullerton cops against members of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church’s Benizi Youth Leadership Team. In addition to Chief Hughes, Lt. Michael Chlebowski and Traffic Sgt. Craig Odom got a taste of the action.
The church youth group presented a banner to the FPD along with medals as a momento for participating in the kickball game.
The bars and restaurants that participated in the training received a certificate, and CSP presented a plaque to the FPD for its commitment to impaired driving prevention.
Also on hand for Friday’s 4 p.m.-6 p.m. event were members of CSP’s Project Faith in Youth of Santa Ana, and Studio City-based Recording Artists, Actors and Athletes Against Drunk Driving (RADD).
Here are more images from the game and picnic:
Fullerton police officers (back rows) after receiving thank you awards from members of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church’s Benizi Youth Leadership Team and the nonprofit Community Service Programs’ (CSP) Project PATH pose for a picture at the “P2: Picnic with the Police” event.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton Police Cpl. Ryan O’Neil, left, Lt. Mike Chlebowski, Officer Tim Gibert and Officer Hazel Rios have a little fun during the kickball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
A “Thank You FPD” from St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church’s Benizi Youth Leadership Team greeted members of the Fullerton PD when they arrived on the field for a kickball game at Ted Craig Regional Park.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton Police Officer Hazel Rios at the plate. Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton Police Det. Luis Garcia catches a fly ball for an out.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Natalia Giraud of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church’s Benizi Youth Leadership Team kicks the ball during her turn at the plate.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Det. Carin Wright, left, gives Cadet Denise Bueno a high-five during the “P2: Picnic with the Police” kickball game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton Police Chief Dan Hughes gives high-fives to members of his team, made up of both FPD and Benizi Youth Leadership Team members.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Hughes kicks what turns out to be a home run.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Fullerton police officers, members of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church’s Benizi Youth Leadership Team, and members of Community Service Programs’ Project Path gather at the end of the “P2: Picnic with the Police” kickball game at Ted Craig Regional Park in Fullerton.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
