Hillsborough officers surprise kids with new bikes

Zakeil Tucker told officers that his bike was stolen, and the word quickly spread.

"A couple of kids were like, ‘Hey, you know our bikes were stolen,'" said Sgt. Buddy Parker. "We spoke as a squad and decided each one of us would go in and pay a portion of it to get the boys new bicycles."

The officers bought four bikes and new helmets, but not for recognition they say - rather for goodwill. To build positive relationships in the neighborhoods they serve, something the officers say is more important now than ever before.

"We can't do this by ourselves," said Parker. "There is just no way and each time we have a positive interaction with somebody, we are growing another set of eyes."

The officers said they want more positive interactions and realize it can start from building one positive relationship at a time.

"They make me feel safe. They are nice and good and fun to be around," said Tucker.

The officers could not agree more.

"These kids are great," Parker said. "They are always coming up to us asking questions, and that's what we want."