When we think of police officers, we tend to see them as the men and women who investigate crimes and catch the bad guys. The folks in blue who patrol streets and highways. And sometimes we see them as flashing lights in the rear view mirror if we have been driving a bit to fast.
But they do a lot more.
Take the Texarkana, Ark., Police Department. Chief Bob Harrison recently outlined several department programs that directly affect youth on the east side of State Line Avenue.
There is the Cops and Kids dinner, which has been going strong since 1993. Officers take children from the Texarkana Baptist Home and Watersprings Ranch for a meal. They get to enjoy a ride in a patrol car with the lights and sirens going full blast.
The annual Shop with a Cop program is a Christmas tradition and makes sure underprivileged youths get to do holiday shopping for themselves and the families.
The PRIDE Academy at College Hill Middle School brings more than 100 students together for a weeklong program with an emphasis on life skills that fosters self respect, community spirit and a lasting positive relationship with police.
That emphasis continues with the Youth to Leadership Program, where Arkansas High students and police officers mentor younger children.
This year the department added another program, Cool Kids, at Life House Ministry, where PRIDE Academy graduates, Y2I mentors, police and others meet after school to work on community projects.
Those are just a few of the ways the Arkansas-side police are helping make Texarkana a better place for all of us. There are many others.
They do their part. But they need help from the community. Chief Harrison announced that an account has been set up at Mil-Way Federal Credit Union. It's called the Back the Blue Account. Residents can make cash donations to help the department continue these projects and other outreach programs.
These are great causes. We urge you to donate what you can.
The police do more than most of us will ever see. This is our chance to show them how much they are appreciated.