Toyota donates bicycles to Scranton police in honor of Officer Wilding
BRENDAN GIBBONS, STAFF WRITER, SCRANTON TIMES-TRIBUNE
Published: August 2, 2015
Scranton Police ride off with their new bikes donated by Toyota of Scranton. Jason Farmer / Staff Photographer
Toyota of Scranton donated five bicycles to Scranton police Saturday in memory of a fallen officer who frequently patrolled his beat by bike.
“We, of course, were really touched by Officer John Wilding’s story,” President Greg Gagorik said, noting the outpouring of community support for the family of Patrolman Wilding and the Scranton Police Department. “Everywhere you go, they’re stepping up, and it makes you proud.”
Toyota of Scranton made the donation during a five-hour benefit at the dealership hosted by families of city police officers under the name Spouses Behind the Badge. The event featured food vendors and games, and the group sold shirts, signs and bracelets in honor of Patrolman Wilding.
“This is, unfortunately, a sad situation that pulled everyone together,” said Donna Graziano, wife of Police Chief Carl Graziano. The group will continue to be active in supporting the family and the Police Department, she said.
The event was the latest to honor the officer who died July 12 from injuries suffered a day earlier while chasing three 17-year-old robbery suspects. Tanner Curtis, Nasiir “Wuwu” Sheldon Jones and Isiah “Zay” Malik Edwards all face robbery and related charges.
The five 2015 Fuji Police Patrol bikes donated Saturday bear the Scranton police logo and Patrolman Wilding’s badge number, 722.
“He’s always riding with these officers,” Mr. Gagorik said.
Mayor Bill Courtright thanked Toyota of Scranton for the gift. Bicycle patrols are more visible and accessible to the community and can travel where cars cannot, he said.
Mr. Courtright recalled seeing Patrolman Wilding frequently in the mayor’s home neighborhood of West Scranton, often posted on Luzerne Street looking out for West Scranton High School students leaving school for the day.
Patrolman Wilding was also the first officer he swore in when he became mayor, he said. Patrolman Wilding’s mother once told him he wanted to be not only a police officer, but a Scranton police officer.
“I knew his heart was in it from day one,” Mr. Courtright said.
The bikes will be used by community development beat officers, who can engage the public readily and form stronger partnerships through face-to-face contact, Chief Graziano said.
“It’s the crux of community policing, being able to be in contact with citizens on a one-on-one basis,” he said.
The department’s current bicycle fleet numbers eight, all about 10 years old, the chief said.
He thanked Toyota of Scranton for its support. The company also donated 2015 Toyota Police Camry a few months ago, he said.