Brooklyn Park Police Take Kids Fishing
The 11th annual Cops and Kids fishing tournament took place Tuesday in Brooklyn Park. The summer tradition gives police a chance to have an impact on youngsters in the city.
“We’re really looking at kids that are in situations that makes them high risk,” said Brooklyn Park Deputy Police Chief Mark Bruley. “They live in areas of our community that are maybe the most impoverished or maybe have the most mistrust for our police officers. We target those areas because we think they need it the most and want to build relationships with those kids”
Cops and Kids Fishing Tournament
On a perfect day to cast a line, more than 100 kids and 30 plus officers were at the pond next to the Brooklyn Park Community Activities Center.
It’s a chance for children and police to share some laughs and try to catch some fish.
“It is 100 percent about focusing on the child,” Bruley said. “Having a good time and really taking off that law enforcement hat and just having an opportunity to go fishing. It’s pretty hard to go fishing, laugh and giggle and not build a relationship between the police officer and child.”
Bruley says there are many examples in past years of kids returning to the pond to fish after the event.
