With sunny skies, a gentle breeze and plenty of children and their parents, the 10th annual Cops and Kids open house, hosted by the Carson City Sheriff's Office on Saturday, lived up to its reputation as the safest party on the street.
More than 2,000 attended the four-hour event, which featured games, prizes and demonstrations by Carson City Sheriff's Office patrol officers and personnel. The event is designed for children and their parents to get quality meet-and-greet face time with law enforcement personnel.
"As we continue to build positive relationships with our youth, it is important to realize the strength of bond established at very early ages," said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. "For a young boy or girl to be able to identify with an officer by their first name, barriers are reduced and trust with confidence is built.”
And with the Nevada Highway Patrol moving some of its personnel into the Sheriff's Office on Musser Street, the event provided NHP a venue to get better acquainted with children and parents in the neighborhood.
"Reaching out to the community and kids at an early age and being able to tell them that we are here to help them if they ever need our help is really important," said NHP Trooper Barbara Stapleton. "These kids are our future. And one day they will be taking care of us."
A free hot dog lunch provided by Grocery Outlet was available for everyone, and for the first time, every single hot dog of the more than 2,000 cooked by the Carson City Kiwanis Club, was eaten. More than 450 prizes were awarded courtesy of DARE and open house sponsors.
Cops and Kids sheriff’s Open house began as an effort to give back to the community and is partially funded by Justice Assistance Grant.
It has grown and gained tremendous community support over the years, with sponsors having stepped in to defray costs. Grocery Outlet donates hot dogs, buns and beverages. Kemp’s Fun Jumpers provides the bounce house. Northern Nevada Coin, The Downtown Business Association, Benson’s Feed, Liz’s Biz, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, Harcourts NV-1 Realty, Carson City Kiwanis Club, American Family Insurance, Jamba Juice and Carson Now all donate or provide services to help minimize the cost, said DARE Officer and organizer Lisa Davis.
“Our local business community really makes this happen. Year after year our sponsors have come back to help and this year, we've even gotten some new sponsors," Davis said.
Local agencies and law enforcement personnel help make this event a success by conducting hands-on activities. Local agencies including the Partnership Carson City, Y.I.E.L.D., Boys and Girls Club of Northern Nevada, Mentor Center, Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Cub Scouts, U.N.R. Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development, Food for Thought, Carson City Health and Human Services and the American Lung Association were among this year's participants.
Youth fun and activities continue Sunday at the The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada kickoff Carson City summer party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The free community barbecue will feature a Bounce house, games and activities, parent membership orientations and discounted memberships.
The Boys and Girls Club of Western Nevada is located at 1870 Russell Way in Carson City.