Southold Police Engage Kids in Hands-On Policing Showcase

The Southold Town Police Department recently held its annual Southold Police Kids Funfest, an event designed to give children aged 6 to 12 a unique, interactive glimpse into the world of law enforcement. The event, which took place at Mitchell Park in Greenport, allowed youngsters to explore a variety of police equipment and technology, including ATVs, patrol cars, motorcycles, mountain bikes, police boats, drones, and even a fingerprinting station and mobile command center.

Bridging the Gap Between Kids and Cops

Hands-On Approach to Policing Engagement

The Southold Police Kids Funfest aims to provide children with a firsthand experience of law enforcement, in contrast to the typical "don't touch" mentality. "This is totally the opposite: this is hands on. They go through the mobile command center, into the [patrol] cars. They touch everything, and they sit on everything, and they get a feel for policing," explains Sharon Sailor, one of the event's organizers.The event was founded five years ago by Sailor and Arlene Klein, who launched the non-profit Paul Drum Life Experience Project to provide free weekly classes for local youth during the summer. The project is named after Sailor's son, Paul Drum, who has Down Syndrome and is known as an ambassador within the Greenport community.

Building Positive Relationships

Southold Police Lieutenant William Brewer sees the event as a win-win for both the officers and the children. "It's a great opportunity for our officers to get out of the car and be able to interact with the kids, have a positive experience with them, and be able to show them all the stuff that we have available to us — whether it's the K9 [dogs], the drones, the ATVs, and all the stuff that really makes their eyes light up."The event has grown in popularity and size over the years, originally intended for kids in the Greenport Summer Day Care and After School program. Now, it has become a community-wide event, with the Southold Police Department taking the mobile command center on tour to local events like the Strawberry Festival to continue engaging with young residents.

Fostering Curiosity and Understanding

The various police equipment and technology on display, such as the ATVs, drones, and K9 demonstrations, captivate the children and spark their curiosity about the inner workings of law enforcement. Sergeant John Crosser's use of the drone, allowing the kids to see and hear themselves through the device, is particularly mesmerizing.The event also features a detective training class, where officers teach the children about the importance of fingerprints and other investigative techniques, making it a fun and interactive learning experience. "They talk about the importance of fingerprints and some of the things that detectives do in looking for clues. It makes it fun for them to understand that sometimes, [detective work] is like a little game where you try and solve a mystery," explains Lieutenant Brewer.

Fostering Community Connections

The Southold Police Kids Funfest not only educates the children but also helps to build stronger relationships between the police and the local community. As Arlene Klein, a long-time member of the Greenport Rotary, explains, "They meet these officers and they realize that these are neighborhood men and women. These are their brothers, their fathers, their uncles and aunts, and these kids love to climb inside these vehicles and see what's going on."The event's organizers, Sailor and Klein, emphasize the importance of establishing these connections at a young age, as it helps the children see the police as approachable and friendly individuals, rather than just as authority figures. "Our goal is that the police get to know the local kids," says Klein, "And for the local kids to say, 'Hey, that's John. He's my friend's father. He's not a bad guy with a gun.'"The Southold Police Kids Funfest serves as a shining example of how law enforcement can effectively engage with the community, fostering a sense of trust, understanding, and cooperation that benefits both the police and the children they serve.