It’s a MADD world

Marisa O’Neil

Costa Mesa Police officers make thousands of drunken driving arrests

each year. But next weekend they’re battling the issue another way --

by walking.

Nearly 100 Costa Mesa officers, plus their friends or family, are

taking part in next Saturday’s Strides For Change, a 5K walk raising

funds for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl

Schuler, who also serves as the state chairman for MADD, helped

organize 10 teams from the department, making it the most represented

organization in the walk.

“I’m not surprised,” Reidel Post, executive director for MADD’s

Orange County branch, said of Costa Mesa’s intended presence.

“Knowing [Costa Mesa Police] Chief [John] Hensley and Lt. Schuler,

I’m not surprised. When Lt. Schuler puts his mind to something, it

happens. We’re thrilled and very grateful.”

So far, the Costa Mesa Police Department’s 10 teams have raised

more than $15,000 for the walk, Schuler said. Each team, headed by a

police employee, set its own fundraising goals.

Money raised at the event will go to victim support and

educational programs, Post said.

This is the first time MADD has used a walk to raise money and

awareness for their battle against drunken driving, she said. It will

take place Oct. 23 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

“This is the perfect event to include family members,” Post said.

“We’re hoping to see parents with babies in strollers, hoping seniors

will join us. We want a real cross section of people -- and dogs, we

have a pet area too.”

The event is being sponsored by both the Orange County and Los

Angeles chapters of MADD. So far, 60 teams from area companies and

law enforcement agencies, including Costa Mesa, are set to take part.

The Costa Mesa Police Department is known for their enforcement of

drunken driving in the city and regularly receive honors at the

Orange County chapter’s annual awards dinner.

“This is a way of us saying thanks for recognizing us,” Schuler

said. “This is the least we can do for them.”

Schuler recruited police personnel to lead the 10 teams, recruit

walkers and get pledges. Rachel Ruiz, office assistant to Hensley,

got involved, in part, because she knows someone who lost a brother

to a drunken driver.

“I really believe it’s important to enforce the law of not

drinking and driving,” she said.

The department is still trying to raise money before Saturday’s

event, Schuler said.

“We’re just trying to get the word out: ‘Hey, this is so

important,’” he said.