Local kids have a chance to get to know officers ‘on a lighter side’
By Jenna Wilson
St. Joseph police officers are stepping out of their regular uniforms this week at the annual Cops Care Youth Camp, providing mentorship and building relationships with local children.
Children ages 9-13 gathered at the St. Joseph REC Center on Monday morning for a fun-filled day of recreational games and educational activities while learning to become comfortable around law enforcement officers.
“The most important thing to us is teaching the youth to be open with us despite being seen as the bad guys,” said Sgt. Patrick Zeamer with the St. Joseph Police Department. “Whether they need to talk to us about something or they’re in trouble, we want them to not feel intimidated or threatened by us and know where they can go for help, so we’re making sure they get to know us on a lighter side.”
A normal day at the cops youth camp includes games like dodgeball, basketball and kickball, but officers made sure children learned the importance of team building, mental health, gun safety and drug prevention.
Investigators with the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force made a visit at day one of camp to talk about the dangers of illegal street drugs that are growing in popularity and how they remain a hazard to people of all ages.
“The school resource officers play a big role in implementing this program with us,” Zeamer said. “They see it each year, the drug problem is hitting the younger generation and they continue to get younger every year. Even in elementary school, they’re having problems with students bringing vapes into the schools. So, we’re trying to get ahead of that, be more proactive and be more involved with the youth so they don’t continue down that pathway.”
Throughout the week, more activities and educational programs will take place, including a visit from the drug strike K-9 unit, Mustangs baseball players and a mental health liaison with the Family Guidance Center.
The camp will continue through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.
