10/07/2026
💙 HELPING HAND IN ACTION 💙
While on patrol, Officer Idarraga and Officer Saltzman of the Hollywood Police Department Beach Unit encountered a single mother from Missouri and her children, ranging in age from 3 to 15, who were going through an incredibly difficult time.
After losing her job and struggling to support her family, the mother came to South Florida hoping to find employment and an opportunity to get back on her feet. With nowhere else to go, she and her children had been sleeping on the sand while she continued searching for work. One of her children is also special needs and non-verbal.
Officers Idarraga and Saltzman saw a family that needed more than a traditional police response. They needed a Helping Hand.
Through the Hollywood FOP HEROES Foundation’s Helping Hand Program, we were able to immediately step in and provide temporary shelter, food, clothing, and other essential necessities—giving this mother and her children a safe place to stay while they are connected with additional resources.
The goal is to bridge the gap until the Broward Homeless Outreach Task Force and community partners can step in and help this family continue their journey toward stability and recovery.
And there is a special connection to this story.
Fun fact: The Helping Hand Program was actually created after being inspired by Officer Idarraga and an act of kindness he showed to a family in need back in 2024. What started with one officer recognizing an opportunity to help has continued to evolve into a program that gives our officers the resources to make a real difference when they encounter someone in crisis.
Now, two years later, Officer Idarraga is once again demonstrating exactly what inspired the program in the first place.
Sometimes policing isn't about making an arrest or writing a report. Sometimes it's simply about helping someone when they need it most.
The Hollywood FOP HEROES Foundation is proud to support our officers and our community through programs like Helping Hand.
HEROES — Helping Everyone through Resources, Outreach, Education, and Support. 💙