UCR police donate bikes to UCR’s family housing unit

Back in August UC Riverside police officers responded to a service call at Oban, UCR’s family housing apartment complex.

During their visit, officers learned the student residents had been wanting to create a bike-share program for their children. UCR’s Police Department made it a priority and reached into their own pockets to gather $500. On Friday, Sept. 17, they donated eight bicycles, helmets, and locks.

Jet Wilbur, 6, of Riverside, shows his excitement as police officer Paul Dombrowski, with the University of California Riverside Police Department, arrives with bicycles for the children living at UCR’s Oban Family Housing on Friday, September 17, 2021. Officer Dombrowski led the fundraising effort with the financial support of the department’s officers and staff. They raised $500 to purchase bikes for the children. (UCR/Stan Lim)

Officer Paul Dombrowski led the effort and purchased a couple gently used bikes on OfferUp, refurbished them himself, and then shopped around for smaller bikes and equipment.

The entire police department — officers, dispatchers, Community Service Officers, and office staff — believed in this noble project from the get-go and felt it’s a way to support the UCR community, said John Freese, interim chief of police.

On Friday, eight officers went to Oban Family Housing’s playground and surprised the kids with the bikes. Parents appreciated the gifts, as well as the half dozen pizzas the officers took to share.

“These are UCR undergraduate and graduate students working hard at being students and parents,” Freese said. “We were glad to help. Having the bikes gives their little ones something fun to do inside their community. UCPD is committed to the entire campus community and is always looking for ways to reach out and support.”