Putting kids and cops together in a fun, informal environment is good for the kids. And the cops.
That’s the word from Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh as the ‘Kids & Kops? program’a partnership between the village police and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Orion/Oxford Club’gets into full swing.
‘This program builds bridges,? Narsh said. ‘And building bridges is probably the best thing we can do for our kids today; the more we can develop relationships now, the better our future community will be.?
‘Kids & Kops? is a youth program headed by LOPD volunteers, Sgt. Amy Fong-Kretzmer and Sgt. Steve Bauer.
The program, held Friday evenings at the club, allows kids to get together with off-duty, plain-clothes police officers.
‘It’s surprising how much kids will open up once they know one is going to judge or criticize them,? Narsh said.
Activities include games and sports, but officers also teach kids about gun safety, Internet safety, drug awareness and the McGruff Club with McGruff the Crime Dog and the Youth Safety Corps.
‘Lets face it, we have a difficult job enforcing laws and dealing with the tragedies in society,? Narsh said. ‘This gives us the opportunity to have a positive impact.?
The club operates under the leadership of Tim Dougan
‘I joined the club when I was seven,? he said, ‘I’ve been involved ever since. It’s been a big influence in my life.?
And Dougan said he’d like to see more local kids taking advantage of what the club has to offer.
While membership costs only $50 annually, the club and the police department are currently giving away free memberships.
Taxpayers, Narsh said, don’t fund the program. The club is supported by grants, donations and lots of help from the Lake Orion Police Association. Sponsors, like McDonalds and Kroger have also been generous with the support, he added.
The club is a good after-school alternative for school-age kids, Dougan said, noting the center is open from 2:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. during the week, and 10 a.m?6 p.m. on weekends. It’s also open all day when Lake Orion schools are closed for inclement weather.
‘The Kids & Kops program has really grown under Tim’s leadership,? Narsh said. ‘I strongly encourage parents to come in and check out the program, as well as the club. I think they’ll be pleasantly surprised with what they find.?
The collaboration between the Lake Orion Police Department and the Orion/Oxford Boys and Girls Club, has been spotlighted on the national level.
In 2007, Fong-Kretzmer, Bauer and Boys and Girls Club Director Tim Dougan traveled to Washington DC to apply for a $20,000 grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The grant is awarded each year to crime prevention programs and the Kids and Kops program won it in 2008.
For more information, stop by 1801 Waldon Road or call 248-365-5000.
One-year membership passes can be obtained at the Lake Orion Police Station, 37 E. Flint Street, or by approaching any officer.