Huntington Beach cops pursue goodwill — and some fun — at holiday ice rink

Sgt. Roman Altenbach of the Huntington Beach Police Department posed on the ice with one leg up, looking confident at the Surf City Winter Wonderland ice skating rink Wednesday afternoon at Pier Plaza.

Confident, maybe, but …

“That was not graceful,” Altenbach admitted during a break. “But anything like this is fun. It’s a different way to interact.”

The department held a “Skate With HBPD” event and Altenbach was one of two officers to skate in uniform with the civilians. Lt. Brian Smith was the other.

The department also put up an information tent outside the entrance to the Winter Wonderland outdoor ice skating rink, which runs through Jan. 2.

Sgt. Roman Altenbach of the Huntington Beach Police Department joins others on the ice during the “Skate With HBPD” event.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Phillip Norris of Cypress, who came to the rink with his wife and two children but was unaware beforehand of the event, said he appreciated skating with the officers.

“I think it’s awesome that the cops are out here joining in the fun and making themselves known around here,” Norris said. “It’s kind of fun. The kids can start to see that cops are regular people, you know? They’re not just always in a cop car and chasing people down; they’re part of the community.”

Smith said it was good to be out there enjoying the season with the residents. He added that it was a good way to break the ice, and he intended the pun.

A family holds hands as they round a turn during the “Skate With HBPD” event at the Surf City Winter Wonderland on Wednesday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

Part of his duties Wednesday included insuring that HBPD’s public information officer, Jennifer Carey, didn’t fall over as she went around the ice.

Carey held onto Smith for dear life at first. Later, he pushed her around in a plastic sled shaped like a seal.

“She did better than she’ll give herself credit for,” Smith said with a smile. “She’s just got to put her heart into it. Just a little more confidence.”

Lt. Brian Smith, right, keeps Jennifer Carey on her feet during the “Skate With HBPD” event at the Surf City Winter Wonderland ice skating rink at Pier Plaza on Wednesday.

(Don Leach / Staff Photographer)

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