SANTA ANA : Cycling Group Gives Helmets to Officers

Police bicycle patrol officers, denied helmets because of lean budget times, will soon be wearing headgear provided by a local cycling group whose members want officers to set examples for road safety.

“Helmets as a safety issue is extremely important,” said Steve Nelson, Orange County Wheelmen president, before he presented 30 blue and white helmets to the department at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Even though wearing helmets when cycling is not required by law, Nelson said his group wants to “portray the proper image for cycling. We want to make sure that the younger people who hopefully look up to the Police Department will get the right message.”

At a brief ceremony during Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Miguel A. Pulido Jr. thanked the cycling organization and presented its members with a proclamation, “for their good work throughout the city, throughout the county and in particular for the donation they are making here today.”

The group persuaded an East Coast manufacturer to provide the helmets, valued at $45 each, at no cost after a bicycle club member stopped to talk to patrol officers several months ago. Police spokesman Art Echternacht said the gift is “certainly a nice thing that we’re happy about.” He said the police budget did not include money for helmets or bicycles so officers have been using impounded bikes for patrols.

The nonprofit organization has 1,100 members countywide and is active throughout Southern California in promoting bike safety programs, Nelson said.