Urbana PD Bike Giveaway

[UPDATE: WAND had follow up coverage after the event, including video reporting here. Excerpt:

The Urbana Police Department made sure many people were prepared for summer on Wednesday.

Officers gave out more than 150 bicycles to local people...

Another man decided to wait more than an hour in line just to give back to a teen who attends his church. He said the teen deserves it.

"He found a bike and he turned it into police," the man added. "He could have kept it, but he thought it was probably stolen. So I think he'll be real happy with this."

Even thought officers and community members had a blast, it did more than just give people a new ride.

"It's a great way for them to get to know us and know that we are human and that we are likable people," Fitzgerald said. "We have officers who are helping people showing them the bikes, and showing them how to fix the bikes who might have some issues. It's a good way to get out and meet some people."]

The News-Gazette had a blurb on an upcoming and popular local event:

Bicycle giveaway this Wednesday
URBANA — One of the most popular services of the Urbana Police Department takes place Wednesday.

The department’s bicycle giveaway gets underway at 10 a.m. at 202 S. Vine St., U, the former Goodyear Tire business, and runs until noon or whenever the bikes are gone.

Started in December 2011, the event features bicycles that have been abandoned or recovered as stolen property being given to citizens of Urbana and Champaign for free in as-is condition.

“We usually get 300 or 400 people showing up. We always have to turn people away,” said Lt.

Bob Fitzgerald, who has been involved with the event since its inception.

This year, the department has about 120 bikes to give away.

More information and contact info at the original article here.