Law enforcement, Basketball Cop Foundation, Ja’Niyah Irving Youth Foundation partner for memorial walk

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On Sunday, October 5, law enforcement agencies partnered with the Basketball Cop Foundation and the Ja’Niyah Irving Youth Foundation for a memorial walk in honor of a young girl who was killed while riding her bike in 2009; Gainesville Police Department (GPD) donated five bicycles to children during the event.

The Ja’Niyah Irving Youth Foundation is a nonprofit founded in memory of Ja’Niyah Irving, a young girl who was hit by a semi truck while riding a bicycle in the Stephen Foster neighborhood in 2009. Its mission is to empower young girls, ages 6-17, through mentorship, life skills training, cultural enrichment, and community service. The nonprofit conducts school supply drives and donates holiday baskets.

GPD’s Traffic Unit and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office’s Community Relations Team represented their respective law enforcement agencies at the event.

The event included speeches by Robin Lillie, Gainesville City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker, and Gretchen Casey, and participants at the event raised awareness about bike safety, fitted children with helmets, and honored Ja’Niyah’s legacy with a memorial walk.

The Ja’Niyah Irving Youth Foundation is currently seeking donations of bicycles and helmets for its annual gala. Contact Ayana Archer at 352-871-5552 if you can help.