PBSO: Sorry For the Beatings. Here, Have Some Bikes!

In a heartwarming display of goodwill, Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies tomorrow plan to distribute 45 free bikes to kids in Belle Glade. It's a lovely gesture, sure to be appreciated by children in a city plagued by crime and poverty. Only, the timing is a bit unfortunate.The bike giveaway...

By Lisa Rab

August 10, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In a heartwarming display of goodwill, Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies tomorrow plan to distribute 45 free bikes to kids in Belle Glade. It's a lovely gesture, sure to be appreciated by children in a city plagued by crime and poverty. Only, the timing is a bit unfortunate.

The bike giveaway comes just two weeks after news broke about Sgt. Brent Raban, of the very same sheriff's office, who patrolled the streets of Belle Glade last year wearing a cap that said "PUNISHMENT" and bragging about beating the people he arrested. You might say this was a PR problem for the sheriff's office, already fighting an uphill battle in a city that has long mistrusted cops.

It's doubtful that the kids, ages four to 12, who are supposed to receive bikes tomorrow will be able to convince the adults around them that the deputies are really nice people, when they are not mauling crime suspects. But at least the kiddies get some new wheels out of the deal.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, New Times Broward-Palm Beach has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.