West Sacramento Police, Businesses Collecting Toys For Families In Need
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Police officers often see the worst of society, but they also get the chance to help in some of the saddest situations during the holiday season.
West Sacramento police officers hopped on Harley-Davidson motorcycles Saturday so they could hand out toys. Now businesses are helping out to make sure they don't run out of toys like they did last year.
As they roared through the city, the season of giving was evident with a bike decorated in Christmas lights, and a Santa Claus in leather.
"Just want to give back to the community and give back to the kids in the community we serve," said Officer Chris Rice.
Rice and his fellow West Sacramento police officers can share countless stories of people in hardship.
"We go out there sometimes in the worst circumstances and we find people in need. They're, by no fault of their own, down on their luck and they need help," said Lt. Tod Sockman.
For 20 years, West Sacramento police put out a bin in front of their station, collecting toys and food for the kids stuck in poverty, whose innocence they couldn't walk away from.
"It's not just about taking people to jail, writing tickets, it's about safety, right? But it's also about our hearts. We all have families we care about," said Sockman.
But last year, word got out that the police department ran out of toys. So the owner of Mid-Cal Cycle stepped in.
"We work on the police bikes here at the shop. So we deal with the police department a lot. I knew last year they didn't have enough," said Robert Lang, of Mid-Cal Cycle.
In just one hour, a pile of toys grew inside the bike shop's garage.
"I'd like to thank everybody in West Sacramento for everything they've done for this," said donator Jaso Powell.
Officers rode from business to business Saturday, spreading spirit.
"The kids just need some help," said Lang.
The rumble of the bikes served as a reminder that not everyone will have what they're wishing for this year.
"If you ever ask a cop, 'why do you want to be a cop?' And some guys will say, 'I want to chase bad guys' but the reality is they all want to help people," said Sockman.
Officers will be wrapping up toys and food, all to be delivered a week before Christmas to families in need.
They'll be collecting toys and food at businesses like Mid-Cal Cycle over the next two weeks.
