Behind the Badge
Deputy Todd Skoczulek asked the 29 third- through fifth-graders sitting in front of Laguna Niguel Elementary School many important questions about bicycle safety and maintenance. And they answered very enthusiastically – and often correctly.
“Are we going to walk our bikes across the street or are we going to ride them across the street?” asked “Deputy Todd.”
“Walk them,” was the general consensus.
The bike safety presentation by Skoczulek and Crime Prevention Specialist Kimberly Sawyer, both from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Laguna Niguel Police Services, was part of the Laguna Niguel YMCA’s Earn A Bike program, in its second year.
Deputy Todd Skoczulek and Crime Prevention Specialist Kimberly Sawyer give bicycle safety advice to elementary school students in Laguna Niguel.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Earn A Bike is an eight-week wellness education program the YMCA offered at the school, teaching students about proper exercise, nutrition and teamwork.
The children met after school four times a week, three of which included physical activities like soccer, basketball, obstacle courses, dodge ball, boot camps, etc. They also participated in a Fit Test including exercises like sit-ups, pushups and a timed mile.
“We show them how to eat a whole-wheat pizza,” says Laguna Niguel YMCA Health & Wellness Director Kelly Kneubuhl of some of the nutritional lessons. “Their plate of food should be a colorful plate of food.”
Deputy Todd Skoczulek and Crime Prevention Specialist Kimberly Sawyer give bicycle safety tips to Laguna Niguel elementary students.
Photo by Christine Cotter
The program ended Nov. 17 with a graduation ceremony for the students. Each student received a brand-new bike, helmet and lock courtesy of the YMCA.
Kneubuhl says the program was a team effort, with bikes purchased with money donated to the YMCA by the community. The local Edge Church helped assemble the bikes and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department provided the bike safety class.
Kneubuhl says an important aspect of the program is that parents were required to attend at least two of the program’s classes.
“We’ve had some parents that have been here almost the whole time,” she says.
Skoczulek, a member of the OCSD’s Laguna Niguel bike unit, which consists of eight deputies certified to ride bicycles for the agency, says he was impressed with the students’ knowledge of bike safety.
“Always, always, always wear your helmet,” he told the students as he ended the class. “I’ll see you guys out there – hopefully not riding without a helmet.”
Elementary school students received “Be Safe, Be Seen” wrist bands from the OCSD during a bike safety program.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Students in Laguna Niguel have fun while learning about bicycle safety during an after-school session with members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Students in Laguna Niguel have fun while learning about bicycle safety during an after-school session with members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Photo by Christine Cotter
An Orange County Sheriff’s patrol bike on display during a bike safety class for kids.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Crime Prevention Specialist Kimberly Sawyer high-fives Laguna Niguel elementary students after a lesson on bike safety.
Photo by Christine Cotter
Young Laguna Niguel students head home with bicycle safety information provided by the O.C. Sheriff Department’s Kimberly Sawyer and Todd Skoczulek.
Photo by Christine Cotter
