Community Outreach Includes Water Balloons, Squirt Guns, and a Very Wet Police Chief

Dozens of youngsters joined Carmi’s finest Friday afternoon for some summer fun.  Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter has been organizing outreach events in the community since he was named the highest ranking officer and head of the police department.  Friday, he along with several of Carmi PD’s officers descended on Bradshaw Park for some water fun.

So today we’re having a water balloon toss, spraying each other with squirt guns, and popsicle giveaway out at Bradshaw Park.  It’s just one of several community engagements that we do throughout the year.  We started doing smaller things when I took over as chief back in 2014.  But the last 3 years, we’ve upped our game, doing bigger events each year or so.

Among those events, gift card giveaways at Christmas, hot dogs for high school students, and more.  Aside from cooling off and having fun with community members, Carter says the point is to get some face time with children in a positive light so they understand law enforcement is there to help them and keep them safe rather than something to fear.

It is very important to let these kids see us in a fun light and a positive note instead of showing up at their door because mom or dad or somebody has done something bad and we’re having to encounter them in a negative way.  As you can see, they’re having a blast and it’s important that they see we’re just like them, we can have fun even if we have a job to do sometime.

And the fun will continue.  Carter says a community 5K fun run/walk will be coming up in September.  Stay tuned for additional details as that event gets closer.  Carter is also looking to add a new officer to the force.  The retirement of officer Chris Pollard a few weeks ago has created an opening.

We are testing on the 27^th of July.  Applications are due in on August 6^th.  We’ll be hiring one officer off that list and so we’re looking for some good applicants who are interested in law enforcement and helping their community out.

Find Carmi Police Department on facebook for full details and more information.