Chula Vista Police and Dick’s Sporting Goods Team Up to Reward Local Student-Athletes
Sometimes a Monday morning can surprise you in the best way possible. For ten student-athletes from the Southbay area, March 23 was one of those mornings — a day that started with a Chula Vista Police ride-along and ended with new gear, new friendships, and a whole lot of community spirit. This is exactly the kind of story that reminds us why Chula Vista is such a special place to call home.
The event brought together ten student-athletes, each selected by their schools and Chula Vista Police School Resource Officers, for a shopping spree at Dick’s Sporting Goods on East H Street. Dick’s provided every student with a $100 gift card and an exclusive 20% discount, a generous investment in the young athletes who represent the future of our city.
The morning kicked off at 7:15 a.m. at the Chula Vista Police Department, where students met the officers they would be partnered with for the day. From there, they loaded up into marked police vehicles and made their way to the store, arriving at 8:00 a.m. to a warm welcome from store staff, complete with breakfast and personalized goodie bags at the door.
Before anyone grabbed a shopping cart, students and officers faced off in cornhole, pickleball, and other games, a lighthearted way to break the ice and build some genuine connection before the main event. By 9:00 a.m., the group was off and shopping, with officers helping their student partners pick out sports gear, clothing, and equipment. The whole event wrapped up around 10:00 a.m., with everyone leaving in noticeably good spirits.
Acting Chula Vista Police Chief Dan Peak summed it up well: “Watching our officers team up with these students for a morning of games and shopping was a highlight for all of us. It’s moments like these that make our work rewarding and show that policing isn’t just about enforcement, it’s about building relationships.”
That sentiment is at the heart of what made this event worth celebrating. Dick’s Sporting Goods has been an active supporter of initiatives like this one across the country, and their commitment to pairing resources with relationship-building is something Chula Vista can appreciate and build on.
The Chula Vista Police Department hopes this event inspires more local businesses and organizations to get involved in creating opportunities for young people in our city. If this morning is any indication, the impact of that kind of investment goes far beyond a gift card. It builds trust, opens doors, and gives our kids a real chance to connect with the people behind the badge.
