RPD building positive relationships with youth

By Kate Underwood, The Richmond Register
Original article HERE

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Richmond area kids got a dose of sunshine and outdoor fun on Saturday at Lake Reba Park. The Richmond Police Department presented their “Kona with a Cop” event in conjunction with the Telford YMCA Healthy Kids Day to get lots of kids outside playing, moving, and building positive relationships in the community.

Richmond Police Chief James Ebert said this was the department’s first time hosting the event, Kona with a Cop. In recent years, the department has organized Coffee with a Cop, which is always very popular during chillier weather.

The RPD teamed up with Scott Lamb of Kona Ice this past Saturday to provide free Kona Ice frozen treats for everyone in attendance. The family-oriented event took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The Kona with a Cop event is really meant to reinforce a positive image of police for kids,” said Chief Ebert.

Getting kids to meet various officers and have friendly conversations helps build positive relationships and understandings as children grow up.

“The motorcycles are always a big hit,” he noted.

The Richmond Police Department’s evidence van was parked at the event, open for children and their parents to take a brief tour. Detective Zachary Stokes explained that this crime scene van is rather like a mobile office. It contains “everything we need to process a major crime scene,” he said.

Kids donned miniature police caps and uniforms while enjoying their Kona Ice treats.

Chief Ebert said some kids show up at all the events put on by the department, wanting to meet every single officer in attendance. He hoped Kona with a Cop would be just as big a hit. Reaching out to area youth is a key goal for the police department.

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In the same area of Lake Reba Park, the Telford YMCA was putting on its annual Healthy Kids Day, which kicks off the summer activities at all YMCAs around the country.

Child Care Director Chelsea Whitson of the YMCA said the purpose of Healthy Kids Day is to make sure that kids get excited about doing something healthy during the summer months.

Fitness instructors led a varied schedule of exercise classes right on the lawn to get kids moving and having fun. Classes for kids included “bootcamp”, tumbling, Xtreme Fit, and Zumba. For each class or activity a child participated in, they would receive raffle tickets to redeem at the prize table. All prizes this year were donated by Walmart for the event.

Kids up to age 12 swung hula hoops, attempted to knock down bowling pins, and tested their flexibility and strength on yoga mats. Healthy snacks like fresh fruit and bottled water were available to help kids refuel during their activities.

Chelsea Whitson emphasized “we really want kids to recognize that they don’t have to be in a gym to be healthy.” The full schedule of active games and healthy outlets for energy are “great for getting kids moving.”

Representatives from various local organizations geared towards keeping kids healthy had set up displays for the event. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), the Richmond Teen Center, Madison County 4-H, and Richmond Parks and Recreation were among groups attending.