Brooklyn Park Police Host Cops N Kids Fishing Event
More than 100 kids spent the day fishing with Brooklyn Park police Tuesday in an effort aimed at catching fish, but more importantly, building positive relationships.
The 10th annual Cops N Kids Fishing Tournament in Brooklyn Park is a chance for many area kids to get their first exposure to fishing. The outreach effort started in 2007 as a way for Brooklyn Park police to connect with at-risk youth and build relationships outside of enforcement.
“The relationships need to be built here when we’re having fun and we can laugh. We’re just having a good time at today’s event: fishing,” says Brooklyn Park Deputy Police Chief Mark Bruley.
Reeling in a Big Fish with Brooklyn Park Police
Ivan Mayboca was one of the 115 kids taking part in Tuesday’s event. Mayboca caught his first fish and he had a message to relay to those who helped him.
“I would say thanks to the police officers, and I would give them a hug,” says Mayboca.
That’s gratifying to hear for Bruley, who has a passion for fishing and launched the event 10 years ago.
“We bring these kids from all over the challenged parts of Brooklyn Park and bring them here. They immediately light up upon seeing the police officers walking up,” says Bruley. “They’re excited about the opportunity, and most of these kids have never been fishing in their life.”
Bruley says he regularly sees young kids at the fishing pond at Brooklyn Park’s Community Activity Center in the days after the Cops N Kids Fishing Tournament.
The kids participating in the tournament leave with their own fishing pole and tackle box. The hope is they can keep fishing.
The Minnesota DNR stocks the Brooklyn Park fishing pond each year.
