Cops & Pops Builds Ties With Kids

By CHERYL JENSEN

The Progress

Kids do battle with Mesquite Police Department personnel in this summer’s second Cops and Pops event held at Summer Winds apartments last week. PHOTO BY CHERYL JENSEN/The Progress

A great way to cool off when it is 104 degrees and more outside, is to go to a water water fight. A pack of kids and parents at the Summer Winds apartment did just that last week.

The community joined with members of the Mesquite Police Department in a Cops and Pops event on Wednesday, July 27. It was the second event of its kind held this summer.

Kids and officers were lobbing water balloons at each other and filling water sprayers for a lively exchange back and forth.
Four kiddie pools were filled with water balloons, balls and squirt guns.

MPD Public Information Officer Sergeant Wyatt Oliver, along with about a dozen other police personnel, was right in the middle of the excitement throwing out balloons to the delighted squeals of the children.

Everyone got a chance to cool down from the summer heat at the Cops and Pops event held last week at Summer Winds Apartments. PHOTO BY CHERYL JENSEN/The Progress

The kids were having a great time trying to get the officers wet and the officers were squirting water at each other and the kids for a fun-filled way to cool off.

It was also a way for officers to interact with the kids and residents. The kids were treated to frozen “pops” to further cool off on a hot summer day.

Volunteers set up a shade for parents to witness the battle from a safe distance. But some couldn’t resist getting involved themselves.

All of the balloons and treats were provided by the Mesquite Police Department. There was plenty of laughter and fun as the kids soaked some of the officers. Some officers were on duty and in uniform. While others came in their off-duty time to help the kids have fun and develop a rapport with them.