Campus Cops Field Fund-raising Events to Benefit Special Olympics

Picking up momentum in the campaign to support the 2004 Santa Barbara Special Olympics, the campus police department last month ran its section of the annual local Law Enforcement Torch Run.

Five UCSBPD officers participated in the June 9 event. They were Alan Katje, Debbe Laranjo, Suzanne Malloy, Mitch Molitor, and Jon Reyes. Some runners were veterans of past fund-raising torch turns.

Both Katje and Malloy also served at the Tip-a-Cop luncheon held last March at the Faculty Club. Additionally, five other officers, including acting Chief Bill Bean, supplemented the club's regular waiters. All tips were donated to the Special Olympics.

"Our staff are paid by the hour for their time, but they do donate all their tips (when they work) the Tip-a-Cop luncheon," said Linda Ruuska, general manager of the club. Regular wait staff at this luncheon do receive a small increase in their hourly rate, which is set at the minimum wage, added Ruuska.

The luncheon alone, which brought in some late tips, raised more than $800, reported Sgt. Malloy, who is the principal organizer of the campus fund-raising events.

A bowling tournament, which has been scheduled for Sept. 19 at Zodo's Bowling and Beyond, will be the final Special Olympics-related activity scheduled for this year.

Last year, tournament turnout was less than Malloy hoped, which she attributed to its timing in June. It still raised some $2,500, making it a success. For tournament details, Malloy can be reached at suzanne.malloy@police.ucsb.edu.