Full Notification

This morning the Petaluma Police Department will join their neighboring law enforcement agencies in carrying the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” torch through town. Handed off by Rohnert Park PD at the Applebee’s Restaurant, the team of runners which include various sworn and civilian staff members will travel to the Veteran’s Memorial Building located in the 1500 block of Petaluma Blvd South.  Police personnel on motorcycles and in vehicles will support the running crew for the approximate 5 mile route and will have traffic control points set up periodically throughout the route. 
 
It is the PPD’s proud honor to run along-side the athletes of the Special Olympics and support their Northern California Summer games. More than 1000 athletes and 300 volunteer coaches will participate in sports such as aquatics, bocce, tennis and track & field. The Law Enforcement Torch Run started in 1981 in Kansas and has grown to include law enforcement personnel from every state in the U.S. and from more than 35 other countries where first responders honor the Special Olympics athletes around the world.
 
The Petaluma Police Department is a proud partner of the Special Olympics of Northern California and takes part in several annual events like this such as the March Madness basketball tournament and Tip a Cop events.