Full Notification

Officer Louie Brandt, also known as “Santa Louie” is seeking 150 community volunteers to assist him with the distribution of nearly 500 bicycles and helmets to underprivileged children on Saturday, December 17th between 8:00am-12:00pm at San Leandro’s Davis Street Family Resource Center during the annual Bikes for Tykes giveaway. 

The program is sponsored by the San Leandro Police Officers’ Association, in conjunction with the Davis Street Family Resource Center, with strong support from the Kiwanis Club of San Leandro and other private donors.  

This year, Officer Brandt raised $25,000 through fundraising efforts, grants, and local business donations.  The monies will be used to purchase the bicycles at a discounted rate from the Walmart store located on Davis St., who has supported the program for several years.  

The San Leandro Kiwanis Club held their own fundraising campaign to assist, and purchased bicycle helmets for each of the recipients of the new bicycles.

San Leandro’s Davis Street Family Resource Center has identified 1,400 children who qualified to be entered into a computerized lottery, which will name the nearly 500 recipients of the new bicycles and helmets.  

“I am very fortunate to be supported by the San Leandro Police Officers’ Association, our Police Department, the Kiwanis Club of San Leandro, Walmart, and others in our great community.  Everyone’s efforts have made it possible to brighten the holiday season for local kids in need,” said Officer Louie Brandt.

The bicycle giveaway will occur on Saturday, December 17th from 9:00am – 12:00pm at the Davis Street Family Resource Center, located at 3081 Teagarden St. in San Leandro.  The event is open to the public.

Those wishing to volunteer are asked to contact Officer Louie Brandt at (510) 409-2393 or via email at [email protected].

Officer Brandt has been coordinating this program with the Davis Street Family Resource Center for the past 8 years.  He has now been responsible for raising nearly $200,000 during that time, providing 450-500 bikes and helmets to the selected children each year.  Most of his efforts have been done on his own time.

Officer Louie Brandt has received numerous awards for his involvement in the Bikes for Tykes program, including the 2013 Red Cross “Community Service Hero” award, the 2013 California Peace Officers’ Association “Award of Distinction” and others.  He was a recipient of the Jefferson Award in January 2016.      

MEDIA UPDATES WILL BE MADE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE

Please contact the San Leandro Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division with any information regarding this case or any other case at (510) 577-3230. 

Information may also be submitted anonymously by:

•    Phone:    Anonymous Crime Tips at (510) 577-3278
•    Text Message:      Text “TipSLPolice” to 888777

For crime prevention tips please go to the Police Department’s website at http://www.sanleandro.org/depts/pd or contact our Crime Prevention Unit at 510-577-3228.

Citizens play a critical role in creating a safe environment by observing and reporting any suspicious and criminal activity to the Police.  The San Leandro Police Department recommends that citizens do not participate in any direct verbal or physical involvement with suspicious persons or those who are committing crimes. The personal safety of the community is paramount. We encourage the San Leandro community to record the details of what they observe and to report those details to the Police.  This type of community involvement and partnership has proven to be a very effective crime prevention tool. Citizens act as the eyes and ears of the community first, and the extended eyes and ears of the San Leandro Police Department. Thank you for being a force multiplier in our efforts to provide professional police services and safety to the community.

PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION:

DATE / TIME OF RELEASE:  12/08/16 – 4:20pm

INCIDENTS:  Bikes for Tykes

PRESS RELEASE OFFICER:  Lt. Robert McManus        

TELEPHONE: (510) 577-3232

EMAIL: [email protected]

DATE / TIME OF INCIDENT: 12/17/16 – 9:00am – 12:00pm

INCIDENT LOCATION(S):  Davis Street Family Resource Center
                                       3081 Teagarden St.
                                       San Leandro, CA