Cops N Kids scheduled for June 9

The 27th Annual Orange County Cops N Kids Picnic will be held Friday, June 9, at Claiborne West Park. The purpose is to allow young people a time to interact in a friendly and fun atmosphere with law officers and other first responders to develop good relationships between them.

Cops N Kids is a function where first responders come together to bridge the gap between children and law enforcement according to Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Guzman. “We want to let the kids know they have alternative means of communicating with us, and it allows the kids to feel more at home with us instead of fearing us so they can understand we’re actually here to help them,” Deputy Guzman reminded.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is not alone in Cops N Kids. Other agencies will participate including local police departments, the county constables, fire departments, wrecker services, and basically anybody involved in first response to emergencies of all kinds.

The first responders will have their equipment and vehicles with them during the picnic. This will allow the kids and the public an opportunity to see first hand the tools used when the first responders are called to an emergency.

In addition to first responders there will be vendors at Claiborne West Park. All sorts of fun free souvenirs will be distributed to those attending including corporate sponsors like Home Depot and Entergy will have booths in an effort to help promote safety at work and around the home.

About fifty different activities will be available for visitors of all ages. Among the activities are a small train to ride, bounce houses for the kids to jump in, and local martial arts schools will give demonstrations.

There will be plenty of refreshments for everyone including hotdogs, chips, cotton candy, snow-cones, popcorn, soft drinks, and watermelons. All the refreshments and activities are free to the public.

Deputy Guzman added, “It is one of the things Sheriff Mooney himself has pushed to bring the community closer together. We’re looking forward to helping the kids out and letting them have a good time and just letting them be them.”

This year’s Cops N Kids Picnic is scheduled for Friday, June 9, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Claiborne West Park located between Orange and Vidor off of Interstate 10 west bound. Admission is free, all the activities are free, and all the refreshments are free to everyone attending.