Anaheim police officers join community for bike ride
Anaheim Police Department officers, with residents in hot pursuit, headed out of town on Saturday, March 9.
They led a community bike ride down to Huntington Beach and back to raise awareness about bicycle safety and to honor the memory of Costa Mesa fire Capt. Mike Kreza, who was killed while riding his bike. He was training for an Ironman competition.
Expand
The ride, with Anaheim motorcycle officers leading the pack, left from the parking lot of Angels Stadium and traveled the Santa Ana River Trail to Pacific Coast Highway where Huntington Beach officers then escorted the caravan to the pier.
After returning to Anaheim, a fundraiser for the Kreza family was held at Golden Road Brewery.
The death of Kreza “pulled at the heartstrings” of Anaheim PD’s Sgt. Jonathan Yepes and Sgt. Chris Masilon, who are also avid riders, Yepes said.
“We wanted to do something to honor him,” Yepes said. “But at the same time to bring this awareness about bicycle safety.”
The department has posted a video explaining the rule about drivers leaving three-feet between cars and bicyclists and is trying other ways to raise awareness, Yepes said.
“We are hoping to change the narrative,” he said, “that law enforcement doesn’t care about cyclists.”