Few people consider a bicycle a necessity, but to someone without a driver’s license or money, a bike can mean the world.
The Waukegan Police Department recently donated two bicycles to recovering drug addicts participating in the Lake County Therapeutic and Intensive Monitoring Court, known as drug court. The bicycles, which are similar to mountain bikes, were used by patrol officers.
“It was very difficult for these guys to have to walk around to look for work,” said Laura Lopez Camarena, a probation officer and drug court coordinator.
Kelly Hilson, 40, a recovering heroin addict recently released from prison for retail theft, got a bicycle.
“Without it, I would be doing a lot of walking,” Hilson said. “I don’t have money for transportation.”
Hilson gets up at 4 a.m. and rides from Bridge House in Waukegan, a home for recovering addicts, to a temporary employment agency.
He also rides to the store and shares the bike with other residents.
Gregory Jones, another resident of the Bridge House, got the other bike.
“We want to show [defendants] that someone cares,” Lopez Camarena said.
Deputy Chief Joe Rajcevich said: “They were headed for the auction. We’ll give away other bikes in the future.”
