Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong with Walter Cruz, then 4, in 2007 at the fourth annual Cops and Kids event. The Carson City Sheriff’s Office is bringing the event back after the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it from running.
Brad Horn/NNG, file
After a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Cops and Kids event is returning to the Carson City Sheriff’s Office on May 20, and the event will be an opportunity for law enforcement officers to build rapport with youth in the community.
“Whether our children are focusing on becoming police officers, professionals in the community or business operators as they grow, it is essential that we all commit ourselves to mentoring our youth,” said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong.
Cops and Kids will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 20 in front of the sheriff’s office at 911 E. Musser St. Free to the public, the event will feature the CCSO K-9 unit, S.W.A.T., the traffic and detective divisions and the Special Enforcement Team. Kids will have the chance to see gear and vehicles as well as visit with school resource officers and the CCSO Mobile Outreach Safety Team members. Community partners for the event include the Boys & Girls Club, Partnership Carson City and the Ron Wood Family Resource Center. Hotdogs and refreshments will be available courtesy of the Elks Lodge.
The event has been running for two decades. Furlong noted the casual atmosphere and open-house format are conducive to making connections. Along with the Sheriff’s Night Out event in summer, Cops and Kids is an opportunity for CCSO staff and community members “to stay engaged with one another,” said Furlong.
“Our children are the up and comers who will be stepping into those professional and business roles down the road,” he said.
Furlong said the role of law enforcement in the community is “leadership and participation.” He’s long expressed wanting to change perceptions about police officers.
“By educating our youth and families on how officers and deputies can help to assist those in need, we create lasting relationships that are often strained by crisis,” he said. “Programs at the Cops and Kids event such as the school resource officers, traffic management and mobile outreach are all directed at saving lives and helping people navigate through the challenges that we often face in life.
“While it doesn’t always appear so, the employees and staff of the department stand readily available to help, regardless of the circumstances.”
Furlong reiterated the importance of mentoring youth.
“Growing up, our kids will face challenges that they might not readily see,” he said. “The Cops and Kids celebration provides our youth and families with a trusted mentor that they can rely on to help them along the education and learning curve.”
For information, contact CCSO at 775-887-2500.