Lynnwood, June 6, 2023—The Lynnwood Police Department organized its highly anticipated annual event, “Cops and Kids” that took place on June 3 at Alderwood Plaza. Celebrating its tenth year, this event aimed to further strengthen the connections between police officers and the local community.
Under the bright sunshine, numerous police equipment and vehicles were proudly displayed in front of the Alderwood Mall movie theater, attracting the attention of attendees. The event provided a fun and informative experience for everyone involved, featuring games, interactions, free prizes/giveaways, and captivating demonstrations, including the popular K9 unit and their beloved canine partners.
Kids had the opportunity to engage in various activities, such as show-and-tell sessions with different police vehicles, exploring the armory vehicle, lifting fingerprints, learning about journal systems, and participating in interactive exercises alongside the dedicated police officers.
In addition to the exciting activities, several tents were set up throughout the area, offering refreshments, candies, and a crowd-favorite—the ice cream truck. The attendance at this year’s event reached its peak due to the sunny weather that characterized the weekend. Months of meticulous planning and preparation preceded the event, starting approximately six months ago, as revealed by Nic Zihuan Li, the main organizer and Crime Prevention Specialist at the Lynnwood Police Department.
“We have been organizing this event for a while now, and my favorite aspect is the opportunity it provides for officers, kids, and families to interact in a non-crisis situation. They can have fun, play games together, and ask questions. It’s a fantastic way to foster positive interaction,” Li shared with the Lynnwood Times. “The planning started about six months ago, right at the end of last year. It takes a lot of work and commitment from the entire department to put this together.”
Chief of Police James Nelson expressed his enthusiasm for the event and highlighted its significance for the Lynnwood Police Department.
“We always order perfect weather for this event,” Chief Nelson joked. “It’s a great time to meet with our community, and we always enjoy it. Walking around and having informal conversations is really nice. Connecting with kids is crucial for us, and we look forward to this event every year.”
The excitement surrounding the event was palpable for both the organizers and attendees. Adam, a parent attending the event with his son, expressed his appreciation for the interaction with police officers and the community.
“We love the whole aspect of it being about the good guys and all the fun activities. My son couldn’t sleep last night due to the excitement of attending this event,” he shared.
Halia, another attendee, expressed her enthusiasm for similar fun activities and how they keep her and her son eagerly looking forward to weekends. The positive impact of events like “Cops and Kids” resonated with many families in the Lynnwood community.
Volunteer Forney, who had contributed to the event in the past, remarked on the growth of the event and the favorable weather conditions this year. “I volunteered a couple of years ago, and this year, there are even more people attending. And the weather turned out so nice,” he said.
With this year’s “Cops and Kids” event marking its eighth successful edition, the Lynnwood Police Department is already gearing up for its next community engagement initiative—a police and kids summer camp scheduled for July.
PICTURES FROM EVENT
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Author: Gerti Katro
