Fire, Police Go Head-to-Head in Battle of the Badges Fundraiser

Who’s better at go-kart racing: Employees of the Roseville Fire Department or the Roseville Police Department? You’ll find out Saturday at a Battle of the Badges fundraiser at , a go-kart racing business off Washington Boulevard in Roseville.

Today and tomorrow, employees will be racing to see who will qualify for the finals. The top six people from each department will go on to compete in the main event at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21.

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The public is welcome to come and cheer the racers on, try to beat the best times and purchase raffle tickets. Raffle prizes include a camera, wine tasting, Dave & Busters gift certificate and more, Joe Lapenna with the Roseville Fire Department said.

Proceeds from the raffle tickets and Speed Factory’s earnings during the challenge will be split between the Roseville Firefighters Local 1592 and the Roseville Police Officer’s Association. The Roseville Police Officer’s Association has agreed to donate their portion to the , and the Keaton Raphael Memorial, Lapenna said. Roseville Firefighters have not decided on specific charities yet.

During Saturday’s main event, the two chiefs will also go head-to-head: vs. Roseville Police Chief Daniel Hahn. Residents will also have the chance to race to see if they can beat the chiefs’ times, Lapenna said.

This is the first Battle of the Badges, but there are plans to make this an annual event, Lapenna said. And besides being a fun event for the departments and community, they also hope it helps “to build a strong bond between the Roseville fire and police departments,” Lapenna said. It also “helps a new business in Roseville and helps raise money for charities.”

Battle of the Badges
When: Main event at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 21; Practice races to qualify are held Thursday and Friday
Where: Speed Factory, 8825 Washington Blvd., Suite 100 in Roseville