Community Corner

Police Run Special Olympics Torch Through Newport

By: Susan Hoffman

A half dozen Newport Beach police officers, alongside Chief Jay Johnson, carried the Flame of Hope through the city Thursday morning to help raise awareness and funding for the Special Olympics.

"This is a tremendous program that does so much for many who have special challenges and needs in their lives that most of us will never fully comprehend," Johnson said. "By raising awareness we raise the hope of these athletes to overcome their obstacles."

This year more than 85,000 law enforcement officers from across 35 nations are expected to participate in the run. In Newport Beach, the torch is traditionally carried into Newport Beach by runners from the Laguna Beach Police Department and is handed off to runners from the Newport Beach Department at Newport Coast Drive.

The torch was carried Thursday morning by the Newport team along Pacific Coast Highway, up Dover Drive to Irvine Avenue, where it is handed off to the Costa Mesa Police Department.

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