By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
Youth and residents of Desert Shade Apartments in Mesquite got a special treat on Wednesday, August 25. The ‘Cops and Pops’ program made a stop at the apartment basketball courts, bringing popsicles and supplies for a time of fun for both the residents and police personnel who attended.
This was the third Cops and Pops event this summer. It saw multiple youth in an all-out water battle as they went from kiddie pool to kiddie pool gathering over 800 water balloons and utilizing water sprayers. The water fight lasted almost an hour as the youth laughed consistently while dowsing their uniformed opponents. Over a dozen Mesquite Police Department officers and volunteers were soaked to the skin.
“This is so great,” said MPD Captain Quinn Averett, who was in the running for the distinction of Most Wet Officer title. “It is a great opportunity for us officers to relate to the youth.”
The kids were sneaky and tactical as they were able to catch a few of the officers off-guard. Mesquite Police Chief MaQuade Chesley was hit almost immediately after arriving. He was doused with a blue water balloon and a stream of water shot from a sprayer.
Another special guest participant and water warrior was City Councilman Wes Boger who put many to shame with his accuracy with the water shooter.
“It was a great time,” stated Boger. “Thanks to the MPD for putting this together.”
The mischief continued until all the balloons were gone and the the kiddie pools were completely empty.
“These officers are so awesome,” said one child participant. “I got them so good.”
The now-wet, smiling kids got to keep the water squirters and small beach balls as an extra treat. Just over 20 kids received the items of mass water destruction with eager, gleeful faces.
The Cops and Pops Program was an idea implemented by Chesley as part of an outreach plan to build positive relationships in the community and to build better perceptions of police officers as positive role models.
MPD Cops and Pops events will continue until the end of October, as long as the weather permits. For more information contact the MPD by calling the non-emergency line at (702) 346-6911.
