Behind the Badge
A quick zig-zag to the left and Ruby Urioste darted around her opponent, her sights set on the boy holding the football.
After another quick maneuver, Ruby grabbed the flag around the boy’s waist and yanked. A whistle blew and the play ended.
The first grader stood out on the field.
In part, because most of her teammates are at least a full head taller than the petite 6-year-old with curly brown hair, but also because she played fearlessly.
It’s something her parents have noticed, too, since she’s been involved with the Tustin Police Department’s flag football program at Heideman Elementary School.
“She’s more motivated and she wants to be involved,” said her dad, Danny Urioste.
Ruby is one of 75 children at the school who signed on for the officer-led program created to build relationships in the community, promote physical fitness and encourage a passion for learning.
Kids play in a flag football tournament coached by Tustin PD officers at Heideman Elementary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Each team was named after a collegiate program and Tustin PD officers took time out of each practice to reiterate the importance of committing to school and going to college.
“We designed it this way to inspire these kids to pursue higher education,” said Tustin PD Sgt. Manny Arzate, co-coordinator of the program.
The five-week football program culminated Wednesday with the Turkey Bowl, a tournament among the six teams coached by members of the Tustin PD.
“It’s just another chance for us to interact with the community,” said Officer Matt Roque, co-coordinator of the program. “Our hope is to get more volunteers involved and to grow to other schools.”
Tustin PD Sgt. Manny Arzate coaches kids from Heideman Elementary during a flag football tournament.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
This is second athletic community outreach program the Tustin PD has started at the elementary school this year.
In the spring, Roque founded a run club for more than 140 students who came out twice a week to run with officers. The students then celebrated their progress with a 5k run and health fair at the school in June.
Many of the run club kids, including Ruby, also signed up for the flag football program.
“This allows the community to get to know each other and provides a safe place for our children,” Danny Urioste said. “She felt welcome here.”
After three hours of playing in the tournament, the children received trophies and took group photos with their coaches.
Tustin Police Chief Charlie Celano then congratulated the teams for their hard work over the last several weeks and reminded the children they always can count on the Tustin PD.
“Police officers are the good guys and the good girls,” he said. “Whenever you need help, you find a police officer.”
Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano talks to the flag football kids after a tournament at Heideman Elementary School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The children and their families then were treated to a Thanksgiving meal donated by Operation Warm Wishes, a local nonprofit that serves the homeless, struggling families, veterans and seniors.
As Arzate and Roque packed up gear from the day, they pointed out some additional positive changes they have seen since Tustin PD started its outreach at Heideman.
Roque said they decided to start in the community bound by the 5 and 55 freeways because the area is historically known as a higher-crime part of the city and there was a large opportunity to develop positive interactions and build trust with the community, particularly the area youth.
When the run club started, students ran past an unfinished fence that often was an entry point for trespassers and taggers and a graffiti covered cinder block wall that faced the school.
On Wednesday, the officers noted the fence had been repaired and the wall was graffiti-free.
“More parents are starting to get involved and changes are happening,” Arzate said. “We are making progress.”
Kids leap for a pass during a flag football tournament coached by Tustin PD officers.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Matt Roque gives a Heideman Elementary student after scoring a touchdown during a flag football tournament.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Charles Carter works with kids from Heideman Elementary during a flag football tournament.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids participate in a flag football tournament coach by Tustin PD officers at Heideman Elementary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Matt Roque gives a Heideman Elementary student after scoring a touchdown during a flag football tournament.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin PD Officer Joe Cossack talks to hit team as he helps coach kids during a flag football tournament at Heideman Elementary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin Police Officer Robert Nelson gives some words of encouragement to a student during a break in a flag football game.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin Police Officer Robert Nelson works with his team at the start of a flag football tournament at Heideman Elementary.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Kids gather with their coaches from Tustin PD and Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano, back center, after a flag football tournament at Heideman Elementary School.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
